The more things stay the same

7. Starling
my ears are ringing
the floor is spinning
the roof now open air
my hands in your burnt hair

my little starling
in all our quarreling
I did not take clear aim
and now our world's in flame

pathetic sovereign
strewn on the mountain
impaled upon my crown
I struck my family down

please help me, madness
and blank my brain
for even heaven's flame
could never cleanse my name

8. Stars & Stripes
I pledge allegiance to the waves in your hair
though I'm not convinced to salute the flag

I pledge allegiance to the ring on your hand
and the rockets burning within my mind

and in DC, as they pass down their choice
to send young blood burning from the bay

I pledge allegiance to the light that you cast
as a civil twilight engulfs our land

I pledge allegiance to the sound of your feet
on the way to work in the early morn

I pledge allegiance to the stars in your eyes
though I'm not convinced to salute the stripes

and yes I guess why execs at their desks
never air an arab on CNN

I pledge allegiance to the sound of your name
and all I ask is that you take mine

9. Callisto
floating in the void
somewhere near Ganymede
without my friends
a soliloquy in time of need

an eclypse
so common in these parts
so many moons
one of them has my heart

Callisto betrayed me
and holds me still with gravity

Callisto, cold and fair
found Jupiter and left me there

her giant boyfriend
storms rage in his eyes
fills my vision
with his brazen lies

beneath the clouds
so smooth and civilized
lies violent truth
he's got her hypnotized

Callisto betrayed me
and holds me still with gravity

Callisto, cold and fair
found Jupiter and left me there

10. The more things stay the same
when you ran back inside
as if you had something to hide
I called you up just to see what gave

I think you said I move to fast
but soon today will be in the past
and nothing ventured, nothing gained

and when I sent that note to you
I didn't know what else to do
it was desperation that made me brave

and all I want is to be a friend
there's no advance for you to defend
I never meant to make things strained

I took a walk 'round the block
just to search for a clue
I still can't figure out
how to synch up with you

all those things I said outside
I meant to show I had nothing to hide
I don't know why I tried so hard

I think it's cuz I've lost so much
and you remind me of someone I trust
but now I've made you raise your guard

I took a walk 'round the block
just to search for a clue
I still can't figure out
how to synch up with you