"i fight fire with words. words are hotter than flames, words are wetter than water."
NYC/FTAA (11/03)
on my way to new york city
ani blasting in my ears
damn girl you've got a way with words.
on my way to new york city
next 5 days that's where it's at
and back home history is happening
back home people are on the streets
trying to fight a government that can't seem to be beat
got the cops parading their flashy lights
and with warnings that they can shoot at will
they fill the brave people with fright
yeah they get away with taking away our right
a right for a peaceful fight
a right to speak out for others
a right to a fucking life
not a molded illusion of a world
in the hands of only a few with a golden might.
it's the life of the right
wiiiiiing
and sometimes as we kick our chairs
we can't help but sit back down on them
and just strum
and sing.
on my way to new york city
guess mom now sees me as "big"
20 years old from a culture
where the assets tend to be small
and the asses tend to be big
and good girls stay home 'till marriage
and then move into a little house nearby
soon babies pop out for grandma
to tend to as they start to cry
but i left at 18 while big brother
stayed inside
i took a breath of fresh air
and decided how to live
and as i feel myself extending
unclogging my ears
and wiping the lenses off of my eyes
i see what's going on around me
i see it
and it's a crime.
so i'd be on the street today
i'd go no matter what they say
no matter what they'd make me pay.
i missed it this time around
but the problems seem to keep coming around
with other opportunities to seek fairness on this ground.
so next week i'll be back home
and i'll hear all the stories
but for now i'm up in the air
with my blank stare
on my way
to new york city.
*****************************************
emily (10/03)
i talked to my 5 year old niece about race
i asked her if skin types matter
i sat down with her face to face
and explained we're all humans with skin types that scatter.
she seemed to understand as i grabbed on to her hand
and said "we're all people"
(i was glad.)
the next generations shall pave the way
equality is something that will move up with each passing day
"get up, stand up" we'll continue to say.
hey
listen up baby girl, you've got so much to learn
disaster is upon us as the world turns
and the earth goes 'round the sun
(not sure if you heard)
but you can make your small life have meaning as large as love
just remember that each of us get what we deserve
get what YOU think you deserve
i'll live my life to serve
humanity
keep my sanity
by knowing this is right
follow your dreams while holding reality tight
if you have any questions ask the sky at night
then hold on knowing everything will be alright
it just seems crazy sometimes
but that's ok, you'll see
and remember to love blindly
and treat others gracefully.
******************************
alcohol (08/03)
sitting on this swing
gently
brushing my feet through the sand
eyes shut
head tilted back
push a little harder
breeze
or is it gravity?
sweeps me through the air
and i escape
escape
escape
not thinking about her
not thinking about this
or that
not thinking
simply,
being.
light.
swinging through the air,
i escape.
escape.
stop
eyes open
i draw a heart in the sand with my feet
perhaps out of custom?
i draw a heart
perhaps mine?
and then i make it dissapear
eyes shut
start swinging
must escape
escape
escape.
on my way to new york city
ani blasting in my ears
damn girl you've got a way with words.
on my way to new york city
next 5 days that's where it's at
and back home history is happening
back home people are on the streets
trying to fight a government that can't seem to be beat
got the cops parading their flashy lights
and with warnings that they can shoot at will
they fill the brave people with fright
yeah they get away with taking away our right
a right for a peaceful fight
a right to speak out for others
a right to a fucking life
not a molded illusion of a world
in the hands of only a few with a golden might.
it's the life of the right
wiiiiiing
and sometimes as we kick our chairs
we can't help but sit back down on them
and just strum
and sing.
on my way to new york city
guess mom now sees me as "big"
20 years old from a culture
where the assets tend to be small
and the asses tend to be big
and good girls stay home 'till marriage
and then move into a little house nearby
soon babies pop out for grandma
to tend to as they start to cry
but i left at 18 while big brother
stayed inside
i took a breath of fresh air
and decided how to live
and as i feel myself extending
unclogging my ears
and wiping the lenses off of my eyes
i see what's going on around me
i see it
and it's a crime.
so i'd be on the street today
i'd go no matter what they say
no matter what they'd make me pay.
i missed it this time around
but the problems seem to keep coming around
with other opportunities to seek fairness on this ground.
so next week i'll be back home
and i'll hear all the stories
but for now i'm up in the air
with my blank stare
on my way
to new york city.
*****************************************
emily (10/03)
i talked to my 5 year old niece about race
i asked her if skin types matter
i sat down with her face to face
and explained we're all humans with skin types that scatter.
she seemed to understand as i grabbed on to her hand
and said "we're all people"
(i was glad.)
the next generations shall pave the way
equality is something that will move up with each passing day
"get up, stand up" we'll continue to say.
hey
listen up baby girl, you've got so much to learn
disaster is upon us as the world turns
and the earth goes 'round the sun
(not sure if you heard)
but you can make your small life have meaning as large as love
just remember that each of us get what we deserve
get what YOU think you deserve
i'll live my life to serve
humanity
keep my sanity
by knowing this is right
follow your dreams while holding reality tight
if you have any questions ask the sky at night
then hold on knowing everything will be alright
it just seems crazy sometimes
but that's ok, you'll see
and remember to love blindly
and treat others gracefully.
******************************
alcohol (08/03)
sitting on this swing
gently
brushing my feet through the sand
eyes shut
head tilted back
push a little harder
breeze
or is it gravity?
sweeps me through the air
and i escape
escape
escape
not thinking about her
not thinking about this
or that
not thinking
simply,
being.
light.
swinging through the air,
i escape.
escape.
stop
eyes open
i draw a heart in the sand with my feet
perhaps out of custom?
i draw a heart
perhaps mine?
and then i make it dissapear
eyes shut
start swinging
must escape
escape
escape.