Apathy

Sit around and talk about the things you'll do.
There's nothing you can do.
You're the victim here so let's hear a cheer for apathy.
When you're old and start to decay you'll be full of regrets.
It's okay, we'll complain until there's no one left to blame.
Let's face it, you're never climbing out of this hole so get comfortable with misery:
Commute and work and watch TV.
Oh, and don't forget to buy, buy, buy, it's only $19.99.
Does it make you feel better to know you're part of the machine?
This is Capitalism, the things our fathers didn't fight for in the Cold War!
Work 14 hours a day and buy the biggest house you can't afford,
You're living the American Dream!
When you're old you'll be in debt but it's okay, there's always someone to blame.
Nothing matters much. Nothing's gonna change. Your kids will be the same.
The planet's going down the drain.
So just give in, it's easier that way.

Alone, Together

I love being bored.
I love having nothing to do.
I love wasting all my time.
I love being online
Waiting uselessly for you.

Gmail says, "Riley is not available to chat,"
So I talk to his email account.
"I feel like I can sing right now. It's amazing."
The blind, deaf slate records it
For him to find much later
And know he wasn't alone.

Paragon for the Wrong

Our young commander with scars on his face.
His armor gleams dull gray and bright gold.
Soldiers wait row on row, arms and legs
and sparkling eyes that gleam gray and gold somewhere deep inside.
He raises his hand. he gives the command.
We're not believers but well take a stand.
Our young commander, he has a plan.

Another fight, another win, another story to tell the kids.

So you want to rule the world?
In the morning light pale gray and gold
your flag's unfurled and we begin the fight.

Our young commander unmatched in strength and grace.
Deep in his marble palace he rules the human race.
The heretics outside these walls
They're just loud, snarling mouths without eyes or brains,
fingers or veins. Just running feet, pounding fists, gnashing teeth.
They have no faith.
Inside we're loyal disciples
Joyful hearts and sparkling eyes.
We know that we're right.

Until the fateful night the faithless filled the sky
With fire and smoke all gray and red and gold.
We all took a stand. We fought to the last.
We the faithful, row on row of arms and legs and steely eyes
We failed by sunrise.

My young commander died today.
He left me lost in smoke and flame.
His followers disperse and shrink;
Become shameful, hateful objects;
Limp arms and legs and dead, dead eyes
As his flag burns.
The ruins of his empire are gray and red and gold:
Gray smoke, red blood, gold crown
Blasphemous on a different head.
That's when it hits me my leader is dead.
My life's work is rubble.
My back's against the wall.
But I have one thing the faithless, the rebels will never have.
I'm still certain I was right.