The Ballad Of Radiant Phaedrus

The past and the future are swirling around in my head
If belief is emotion and trust is a choice, we're all dead
I don't know how we'll fight World War Three, Miss President
But the fourth will be with sticks and stones if we're not blown to bits

I can't recall what the child astrophysicist said
But I've read the books and the papers and the internet
More human consciousness than one man should try to collect
For progress and freedom too much beautiful blood has been bled

Harry Harlow, that fucker put me and my dog in a cage
He said that you must die alone if you want to be great
There's no amount of genius that I wouldn't trade
I think truth might be different than knowledge, I won't isolate

I fell asleep standing up twice already today
Dreamt that my Joseph came home with a smile on his face
Both love and hatred take seats at the table and say
Give us your wine and your bread, we're not going away

Edward and I dropped some acid and swam up the stairs
I saw the Sun split the ocean and I didn't care
Who all was watching me stumble, I met myself there
And it's people with unopened minds who are truly impaired

Buddha weeps under a willow and pulls out his hair
Smoke what grows next to you; things you enjoy always share
They paid me to burn down his village and poison the air
Son, there's no room for your dreams in the land of despair

Naked we came and so naked we climb into beds
With a man or a woman, we all must bear our own regrets
I found a beauty I don't want to leave or possess
Tonight I'll just hold her and let Radiant Phaedrus rest

If women are unequal objects built only for sex
Who cares if the baby is starving? Please cover your breasts
Don said he's famous enough to reach under her dress
Decency died on the cross next to Jesus, I guess

Give me a second, the cold front came quickly this year
You aren't cursed, you're careless with the folks that you claim to hold dear
Speak truths to strangers, but treat all your friends insincere
Roll down the road and become what your family fears