impermanent capitalism

--

(There was a day when I wrote you a song about nothing

It began with nothing and that was the best thing

I created your life story with a sweep of my pen

Some telemarketer interrupted; I never finished your end)

--

See! Look at this new table set

It's only $129.99 if you answer the phone

I swear to God, you buy this and you'll never need another

I swear to God it'll make you feel better about yourself

It'll make you feel better about your life

It's going to make you feel less than alone

--

(I love capitalism, it's my best friend

It makes me lonely but I can buy a better end

I can write you a love song, I can write you in prose

I can make up your body from your lungs to your nose)

--

And oh, this bone-white China, I could kill for this

You remember the shape of her lips looking at this, don't you?

I swear to God, pay $19.99 and you'll forget all about it

I swear to God it'll make you feel better about yourself

It'll make you feel better about your life

It's going to make you want to be really American

--

(If you're tired of this, I'll write you a new chapter

I could fill your paper heart with love and laughter

I could tape all your birthdays and watch you in the shower

You'd be more than entertainment on the web for half an hour)

--

Oh won't you come with me and we can be free

We can skip briny beaches and we can traverse cerulean seas

I can make you captain and you can name me first mate

You can make dinner and we'll make love on the first date

Another year over, another foot deeper

The spaghetti you've made's all gone cold in my head

I swore to god you could have been real

I swore to everything about you; I imagined

Something more than capitalism to keep me company; I imagined

Something more than you; I was in love with the idea

--

Now the wind's at your back; I'll keep sailing onwards.