to be expecting

--

there are old men sitting on street corners

i feel guilty as i try to pass by; i'm broke

can't spare any change for the man who serenades

spent all my money on some video game

--

there are kids falling asleep in orphanages

i feel sad as i drive by; i'm much too

procrastinatory to try and help, besides

i mean, i'm no mother, and i can't offer a home

--

where alpine turns from north to south, that's when

the uphill battle makes a downhill slump

there's been a wreck driving down past the park

the shade of trees keeps the road in the dark

--

in africa, there are people dying of AIDS

i feel terrible when the news turns on; it's easy

to forget the problems when you're half a world away, but still

i want to help, but i'm no match for a disease and mutations

--

there are people lined up at the free clinic

i feel stupid as i try to look past; it's difficult

there are so many illnesses going around, and i have drugs

keep saying "i won't catch your poisonous germs, i won't"

--

where alpine turns from north to the freeway, that's when

i turn right to the woman who'll take care of the problem

she gives me pills that many people can't afford because

something's wrong with me that health insurance covers

--

in your houses, you are happy, talking to your lovers

i feel bad for myself when they call; it's comfortable

to fall asleep to some easy old pain, and besides

i'll feel warmer in the morning, wrapped up in excuses for being stagnant

--

like it isn't the latest trend:

to end up feeling worse for yourself in the end