The Shame of American Cities

Our hearts cry out, empty with despair, While our robotic pockets whine in our ears. We watch too much and do too little, Where too brown stars live lives too fickle. We say many things, but honesty is lost, In this perilous climb to the very top. We create less and waste more, Begging and borrowing from other worlds. We go to school to learn good things, But the subjects winter taught are gone by spring. We forget too often the good things in life, So we create a fake one on a screen that's bright. There are giants and mice in this great big place, You are too small or too large and don't have a face. The mask you wear is the only clothing For the shameless body we are showing. The machine of the city will stand so tall, While the people alone slowly fall. We focus hard on the goal, Not caring how we score. The journey doesn't matter and it drips deceit, Our climb to the cold and golden throne-seat. Upon our thrones we sit, Growing fat and unfit. We waste and wither and dwindle away, While the sinew of our country crawls further astray.