If music is the food of love
are tone deaf people doomed
Are only those with perfect pitch
for lasting romance groomed

And what of they eye o' the beholder
where beauty is supposed to lay
Do only those with twenty twenty
get to be blessed this way

And if a picture paints a thousand words
and the viewer cannot read
Did the artist therefore waste his time
sowing unfertile seed

We talk a lot of metaphors
about music, love and art
but does really help explain
or just make us sound smart?

We the people,
the citizens of this land
stand right here before you
brother, sisters hand in hand

To tell you that we've had enough
enough of all your greed
that helps you line your pockets
while ignoring those in need

To tell that we wont be scared
or frightened anymore
you can no longer use our fear
to justify your war

We're here to remind you
to listen to what we say
because you see you work for us
its not the other way

Look back upon our history
and you will clearly see
that when ruled by greed and tyranny
we'll fight to become free.

Do you forget you have the power
to change the way things are
to make it better for everyone
no matter if near or far

If you don't like how its going
stand up and raise your voice
I know it may not seem like it
but there really is a choice

Our leaders are there at our behest
we're the one's who gave them power
but we've forgotten that they work for us
like we came down with the last shower

Just as our votes did put them in
they can also take them out
but we've lost faith in democracy
apathy is winning out

So ask around your neighbors
your family and friends
and see who amongst them's happy
see the message that they send

Then ask them just how many
went out last time to vote
when you ask them why they didnt
you'll find that they've lost hope

So we need to get beyond this
to renew our hope and verve
til then we wont get what we want
but what apathy deserves

Come, lay down here beside me
and hold me through the night
and as I dream don't slip away
please stay and hold me tight

As the night turns cold embrace me
blanket me with love
and as our bodies do entwine
would you fit me like a glove

When the rising sun opens my eyes
will you face be the first I see
Would I awake still in your arms
or would it be just me

"Spare some change?"
you hear me say
but the voice in your head
screams "Go away"

Or you see me there
and cross the street
so you dont have to come
within thirty feet

You look down your nose
at people like me
yet you have no idea
who we used to be

How we were like you
that you probably doubt
but its a trip not far
to going without

It starts when you lose your job
and the money stops coming in
and all of a sudden that buffer
is starting to wear real thin

Then the money saved
becomes money you spent
and you sit there at night
working out where it went

You behind with the mortgage
but not very far
then all of a sudden
they're taking your car

Now you got no job
no means to get round
and hope starts to slide
to that hole in the ground

And next thing you know
you're out on the street
with suitcases and boxes
right there at your feet

And suddenly famlies
are all torn apart
and words fly like daggers
right into your heart

and next thing you know
you are truly alone
with no one to lean on
and no one to phone

and then when you start
just trying to survive
to sleep through the night
and wake up alive

and the friends that you had
are not friends any more
crossing streets just like you
to stay away from the poor

I long to write the words
that move people to tears
to create the perfect poem
that survives throughout the years

I long to paint the picture
that all the world can see
that gives true hope to everyone
not just to you and me

I long to make the statement
that makes people stop and think
that gives purpose, cause and clarity
to paper, pen and ink

I long to live the life
both worthwhile and fair
and pass from this world to the next
in peace and not despair

There is a faded headstone
I walk past every day
I've never stopped to read it
least not until today

The names are hard to make out
and the numbers just a blur
There's not very much to tell you
just who these people were

It seem they were a couple
Mary-Beth and John
She passed away aged 38
He died at 41

I imagine childhood sweethearts
who didn't live that long
A short but long lived love affair
that in death still lingers on