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