All We Want

Where has all the magic run away to?
Why has all the excitement gone away too?
Childhood innocence seems but a cruel tease.
Visions of a different time fade in the war breeze.

This is the time to figure out what we are made of.
This is no time to dwell on the things that we're afraid of.

When we finally have all we want I hope that we'll still need it then.
When we finally learn the truth I hope there's someone to believe in it.

I hope I'm alive to see the marriage
Of the children that I haven't even had yet.
I hope that I can shield them from the darkness.
I hope that I can teach them about forgiveness.
Some say that the world changed in a minute.
Maybe a minute is all we need to save it.

Sleight of Hand

Step up to see the show, there's not anywhere you can go.
It's a miracle man on trial. Well we'll all be here for awhile.
And no one is who they seem. They are incomplete, as they all repeat
Statements prepared in advance. Nothing left to chance in this safety dance.

All the time, it's sleight of hand, the hiding hands that make us blind.

Come up to the podium, to give a speech, historic one.
Change all of our minds. Make us believe that we can conceive
Of a future that we can trust won't self destruct, run out of luck.

Finger on the Pulse

There's a grind that keeps us occupied.
Flying back and forth, empty nest, never a day's rest.
Let's just keep a finger on the pulse, and make sure it's okay.

There's a trust, can't be allowed to rust.
Keep it strong, lasting long.
Let's just keep a finger on the pulse, and make sure it's okay.

There's a fire burning brighter every day, keeps us warm,
Holds off the stormy weather.
And even in the hardest of times, you can lean on me.

How do you feel, are we keeping it real enough?

Stories Left Untold

What I've learned, after 40 years of living, is I've got a lot to learn.
I've been burned. But maybe there's good reason, some penance that I've earned.
What I know, after 40 years of living, is there's always more to know.
I have tried, I can't stop the world from moving. I can't even move myself.

There are stories left untold, stories left unheard, stories left to write.
I'm not going to quit because the world expects me to.
I won't go down without a fight.

Urgency

From the unspeakable nightmare, to the ordinary isn't much of a distance.
I've traveled it already.
I've been living in dream-land. Every night it's the same.
Someone's trying to kill me, but there's no one to blame.

Sleep is not longer a pleasure.
I can't wait for the day when I dream about treasure,
But I'd just give it away.
I can't think of a reason, I'm too tired to think.
I should head for the bedroom, and try real hard not to think.

As the memories fade out, they lose all urgency.

Labor Of Love

There is nothing that could tear us apart.
There is nothing that could weaken my heart.
There is no one that could take me away.
I am with you until the end of my days.

And the worst thing that could happen, won't be bad enough.
And the saddest thing that could happen, won't be sad enough.
And the weight of the whole world, won't be strong enough.
To break apart this union, a labor true love.

Strange Highway

On a strange highway miles from home
There's cars in line following empty signs.
I see 2 men. Best of friends.
Now opposed, their hate exposed for all to see.

I see a house, that's old and worn.
Familiar yet, still forlorn.

I hear this sound, the beat of bombs.
Like beating hearts, that tear us apart.
I see a sky that's red with light,
A fire rains down on us
From shattered night.

I feel unsafe in this place.
I can't find my peace of mind.

Strangers crowd around my bed.
Their voices loud in my head.
I don't understand what it is they want.
It's something I have left undone.

And every night, these scenes unfold
My body cries for quiet rest.

In Command

Please don't tell me you can't see the irony.
There once was a time when it was all you'd see.
My heart is not a toy that you can play with.
I am not some boy who will forget all this.

Appearing in command we can spin out of control.
Seems like there's an art form to losing everything.

Once there was time when we were stronger than
Traps that we would set still without knowing it.
With age there is a wisdom that we should embrace.
Why then do we still make all the same mistakes.

Answers never come from sounds of silence.
When can we resume this conversation?
Let's not take a chance on waiting so long
That we can't remember how to start one.

Physical Fitness

Here's my nemesis physical fitness.
I'm working it, can I get a witness.
I'm invested in all the right equipment.
Motivation, well I could use a shipment.

I guess I admit to an addiction.
Now I've got to go out and buy me some conviction.
Some habits are not so easily broken.
The truth about yourself is never simply spoken.

It's Time to hide the scales again.
I'm running out of room on the dial lately.
I swear I'll never do this again.
Get right on it next week.

Here's my nemesis physical fitness.
I'm working it, can I get a witness.
Bulking up in all the wrong places.
Need a drill sergeant to put me through my paces.
Discipline's never been one of my talents.
I've fallen hard and I need to get my balance.

On My Way

It's a beautiful morning.
The sun in my window.
Passing through Akron.
Feels like I've been driving all day.

I'm on my way down.
Hanging around
As I'm crossing the border.
The bridge from Ohio.
Is cut down to one lane.
And nobody's moving.

I'm on my way down
Hanging around
In the passenger cabin
Of my 96 Saturn
And the curves of the mountains
Have me dying of boredom

Long day
I'm on my way down
Hanging around all day
Long day
I'm on my way down
Just waiting around

For the glimmer in your eyes
Sunny as always
And the feelings they broadcast
Turn radios silent.

Coming down off the mountain
Into the Piedmont.
It's just like a trip to Columbus,
Straight into your arms.



Out of the Mouths of Babes

Sometimes I can't believe my eyes.
What I see just doesn't make any sense to me.
Sometimes I can't believe what I hear,
Out of the mouths of babes.
It makes me so afraid.

I don't mean to be cynical, but I need some better evidence.
I got to find out what is going on here, I need some one with common sense.
I don't mean to be cynical but can't you please find someone with a brain.
You don't need to be a genius to see that the whole world's gone insane.

Every day I swear not to waste my time on CNN.com again.
Watching the useless news, and getting frustrated.
There's nothing at all that I can do.
The media wars have begun.
Strap yourself in for a show that's good for the ratings.

Let's be DIY

You don't like that place. Why did you go there?
Last night you were so annoyed. Why did you go there?
The atmosphere is stale and the people are unfriendly.
And the sound is always bad, and you walk out feeling had.

Let's buy a bar. We can give it a cool name.
Start the shows at eight so nobody goes home late.
Let's be DIY, a private place for you and I
And a dozen of our friends. And we can all pretend,
Behind our private little screen, that I'm the king and you're the queen.
And we can all be happy in our cozy little scene.

Maybe we're too old, but I don't think so.
I prefer experienced. We just want a good show.
In a place where we can breathe and have a conversation,
And maybe have a drink to wash down our medication.

Nobody Else But You

I was numb, not looking for anything.
When we met, I didn't think it was anything.
Then time passed and I began to hear from you.
Tiny seeds at first, seeds that nurtured, slowly grew.
Nursing a damaged heart.
Then suddenly surprising me, giving me hope again.

Can't you see that it's true, that I don't want anybody else but you?
Can't you see that it's true that I don't need anybody else but you?
Can't you see that it's true that I'm in love with you?

Months went by and I could feel an awakening.
I could feel
Special things were happening.
I made plans
You didn't always agree with them.
There were times when we allowed doubt to creep on in.

Winners and Losers

So much time is spent in pursuit of the evidence we already is know is true.
So much money lost to the schemes of a greedy few, why are we not outraged?
So much blood is shed in defense of a way of life.
Show us who's ahead. Is it worth the price?

A return to secrecy. Is it what we really need when lies are already commonplace?
No one seems to care enough to find a way without violence.
Vengeance is a way of life.
In a world so filled with hate, what excuses can we make
When our children ask us why anyone deserves to die?

Memory of Your Kiss

Someday on Sunday I watched you sleeping in the dark.
I am touched by the silence of your breath.
And I smile to myself.

The only thing keeping me awake is the presence of the fear.
I am crushed by the weight of it's breadth.
And I cry to myself.

If it were the morning it would all seem boring and obtuse
I am grounded by the knowledge of the truth.
And I pray to myself.

When I remember nothing I would surely think something is amiss.
I am shook by the memory of your kiss.
And I lie to myself.

The minutes turn to hours and I know that I will sleep no more.
I am startled by the opening of the door.
And I walk towards the light.

The pieces of my dream are lying scattered all around me on the bed.
I am thinking of the dancing in my head.
As I glide into sleep.