Alexander Wept

"Alexander wept... for there were no more worlds to conquer."

The World is Worth my Time

I always wanted to be somewhere else, although when I got there I didn't want to be there either. It was like the air was pushing in on me. I shouldn't have been able to exist because the air itself didn't want me. That was how I knew that what I was waiting for could never come.
The truth is I don't know how to write about being happy. I've never had a need.
Aiming high has always been my thing. The difference is now there are good things in this world for me. I credit Wellbutrin; I credit therapy. You I credit most of all. You make these sun-bleached sterile streets tolerable. In fact you make them shine. I always knew I would strive for greatness. You make it worth my time.

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.

Wherever You Go (There You Are)

I moved away from my first love, far away from the smell of the sea.
I hoped I could return someday but my home went and changed on me.

So I ran all around the world and when there was nowhere left to go
I said I need to be alone, 'cause wherever you go, there you are.

You said, "You take everything too serious."
I rarely know how to cope with this friggin screwed up world.
If I could find a way to run away you know I'd run away.
Tried it three times, but I can't run away.

'Cause I ran all around the world and when there was nowhere left to go
I said I need to be alone, need to think things through, 'cause wherever you go, there you are.

You always thought life was a game to be won and for a while you were winning.
You're always in the tabloids, the cover of Harbor High Today.
You used to say drama blows away, but you're not saying that today.
Now you know you can't run away

'Cause you ran all around the world and when there was nowhere left to go
You said you need to talk things through, you need to know I'm here for you, 'cause wherever you go, there you are.

'Cause how do you run away when you're the villain in the play?
All I know is: your guardian is all I've ever been and if that's all I ever am then that's okay.
So please believe me when I say you can't run away.

Underwater

Kept underwater, though I still need air
Under a weight I know I cannot bear.
Because I need it was never a good enough reason
So I bear what I must bear
And I breath despite the water and I walk towards the air
Because the world's laws govern me despite what I can take.
Home is so far away and it'll never feel the same.
I need to replicate those few good days
The cool morning fog and the warm evening air
But that was never a good enough reason
So I breath despite the water
And I walk. And I fall.
And I can't get air to my heart and my brain.
The water and the world don't care what I can and can't take.