Be Civilized

We're just standing in line
Waiting for our time
Someone call our number
Just want to dream in color
It seems like we haven't moved
Did we fall into a groove?
Are we moving backward?
Is this retroactive?
Just want to know where we stand
Because this isn't like we planned
Locked outselves in prison
Built on cynicism
I hope you realize
What it means to be civilized
It's not like they advertised
Seek out the truth with your own eyes
We're just playing a game
Every day is the same
Selling all our time
So many things to buy
But we don't ever feel complete
Every time that we compete
Because the game is fixed
It always favors the rich
We're just trying to get ahead
Trying to live before we're dead
And we all fade away
Like every yesterday
I hope you realize
What it means to be civilized
It's not like they advertised
You know the truth behind their lies
But we've got nowhere else to go
We've been down this road before
Know these streets by name
And they all smell the same
We're all trying to be unique
We're all trying to reach the peak
Set ourselves on fire
Out on the trapeze wire
Want to live a life that matters
And we'll take whatever comes after
We'll be dead and rotten
We'll all be forgotten
I hope you realize
What it means to be civilized
It's not like they advertise
You hold the truth behind your eyes


© 2019 Zach Sands, PhD