2) Drivel

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." Good has got to be better and better has got to be best But best is not the best unless it stays on top of the rest I am never satisfied and I can never sit still I don't know if it's possible to ever get my fill. It's an attitude, a point of view, a way of carrying on The satisfaction one gets when it's all said and done To play like there's no tomorrow, to never waste your time So much can be accomplished in persistence sublime. Make your life a testament to always shooting high And if you don't succeed at first, give it another try Things may not always fare you well, obstacles indeed For destroying every hindrance is your visceral creed. Others may not understand your will to always be on top Many are flat-out lazy, and some will give up and stop Keep on rolling by them, pass them like rails on a road Don't let others dictate your pace in their sedentary mode. Take the energy you were given by almighty creation itself And apply it toward those lofty goals worthy of yourself Doing anything less denigrates the majesty of your world Which brings you down doubly, your life's flag unfurled. Good has got to be better and better has got to be best But best is not the best unless it stays on top of the rest I am never satisfied and I can never sit still I don't know if it's possible to ever get my fill.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." There was a time when smoking some grass was like a religious experience A ritual act, some magic performed, an involvement in spiritual benevolence. The sights, the sounds, the colorful clowns, the music of Hendrix and Doors Wide open to alternative thinking when Reagan and Nixon were boors. We thought we were special, hippies indeed, when brotherhood was the calling Dressing the part, we knew in our hearts, Mankind’s progress was crawling Covetous greed fuels the selfish need, denying a cooperative sense We freely gave of ourselves and behaved as respectful, peaceable gents. How many times did we smoke and joke how foolish were society’s mores How often we vowed to set an example by not supporting the wars A better way can be seen when you smoke, not too often it’s true Even too much milk can get you in trouble, moderation given its due. I can remember (is it a wonder?) how everything seemed to be so fresh The kiss of a girl, the gleam of a pearl, a cracker just tasted delish The sound of a drum, the taste of a plum, senses heightened for sure Perception is key with an attitude freed for a trip of boredom cured. Yet now things have changed and not for the better, pot has given to waste Ambition for abusing the light of day gives the night time a bitter taste The mystical part of the trip is gone, a crass party-hearty is here Now seems so senseless the reason to do so which at one time was so clear. I’m proud of my past and that I smoked grass in the 60s that everyone loved I’m so glad that I saw the natural draw of living below and above Young people now have no driving aim, they know not how to treat time Wasting away at primitive parties, a loss of wisdom’s a crime.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." Claim that you know the meaning of life, in pride may you take a fall Sell me the secrets to your prosperity, only fools to your carrion's call Offer me something that I'll never need, you unnatural Nosferatu Your greed unharnesses your humanity, revealing ignorance of what's true. Oh you yell that you're the latest and greatest, when you've barely taken one step Your weak small-minded childish games betray how long you have slept I see through your profit-minded madness and the god of Mammon you serve You dare tell me you're only following orders, and you'll get what you deserve. Dollars and sense, drachmas and pence, does life boil down to this? Profit margins and increased sales, is it in your best analysis? Euros and pounds, decadent sounds, your whole revolves around this? Quotas achieved, I'm so relieved, next month may we fortune kiss! So bray on your pride in technical prowess, for you really know so little Suckle the nipple and swallow down hard, tis merely the devil's spittle You're the tool of a pawn of a trivial whim of those who are pulling the strings Yet with all your powered intelligence, you dare to claim wondrous things. Dollars and sense, drachmas and pence, does life boil down to this? Profit margins and increased sales, is it in your best analysis? Euros and pounds, decadent sounds, your whole revolves around this? Quotas achieved, I'm so relieved, next month may we fortune kiss! Wise men have tried for centuries old To show the errors of your way The Good Book is open yet left cold To raise you a better day.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." Johnny slaved his days away at the corporate five and dime Overworked his right hand and spent too much time online Scribing trivial facts, estimating tax, the gloom crept into his dawn His days became bleak, week upon week, those halcyon days almost gone. Johnny coveted his pay the way other company lackeys did Spent more than he could afford, the ladies his finances hid He wheedled and moaned, borrowed and loaned, got used by a system gone mad His loneliness grew, nothing seemed new, he’s resigned to a life simply bad. But is he part of the problem, or does he really have someone to blame? Did he show a lack of ambition, does he deserve a better lot in the game? Was he fiddling away his summers, while ants gathered all of their stock? For his middle years are a lonely struggle, watched harder workers rock. Ginny serves up the cretins at the downtown automat Stains her ratty apron while wiping away gristle and fat She slings the hash, deals in trash, and laments days gone by Her prom dress soiled, a smile hard-boiled, sighs at the cleaning rag night. Ginny raises her boys to stay out of trouble and learn from her mistakes A husband who left her for reasons untrue, a love life she often fakes She drags home at night, too tired to fight, with the babysitting TV Slumped on her couch, cheap beer in her pouch, dreamless catnap reverie. So what can we say about a less-than life, was there more that could have been done? Could she have seen the wisdom of her parents’ days in substitute of young fun? Pitifully hopeless in squalor and debt, planning for the long term makes sense Faithlessly chasing me late-game dollars, despairing leaves only cents. But wait! In the light of stranger-than-truth, Like puzzle pieces we’ve Boaz meets Ruth Unlikely dream for both came alive When Johnny went down to her greasy dive. A smile from one brightened the hopes of the other Necessity is essentially invention’s mother They found each other and raised up their lots Miracles achieved in divine guided plots. And so this time, the Fates were generous sure With a couple of souls with motivation’s impure Will you be so lucky in your errancy’s beginning Or will you sink even deeper than Johnny and Ginny?

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." You tax me so much my paycheck bleeds Supporting a government whose people have needs So many ways you tear into my pockets Demanding payment like incoming rockets. “Stop your complaining, Mr. Taxpayer, sir, We’re giving you all a break. Think of all the things we do not tax, Your life is a piece of cake...like… “We could tax the length of your hair, the air that you breathe, the length of your stare, We could tax the leaves on your trees, the sunshine above, every time you say please, We could tax the tread of your shoes, your body fat index, when you get the blues, We could tax your wanton desires, how you watch baseball, how you light fires, We could tax the hair on your beard, the language you use, whenever you feel fear, We could tax the brim of your hat, the food that you waste, the meows of your cat, We could tax the snot in your nose, if you smell flowers, when the wind blows, We could tax the dance in your step, how loud is your laughter, and if you’re too hep. “Yes we could lay into you like never before But in our beneficence, we don’t charge any more. To pay to defend you from yourself and others, To carve out your safety like devoted mothers. “It never occurs to you how expensive it may be To fund a war of magnanimity. With so many programs we know that you need We cure your disease like leeches and bleed. “So we could tax the smiles that you make, the toenails you clip, the leaves that you rake, We could tax your flowers that bloom, the blunders you make, the noise in your room, We could tax the juices you squeeze, the sweat off your brow, the birds and the bees, We could tax the words that you read, your walks in the park and every good deed. “So no more complaining or it may just get worse Our financial dog leash is becoming a noose. Then you’ll long for the days like today Where at least you keep some of your pay.”

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." The corporate diva waggles her head The junior partner dreams of her bed She's in control till the big boss walks in Cowers in coyness, the deception's intent. She's on her way up the devil's ladder Devious and cunning, sweet but ever badder Seductively dressed, but don't you dare touch She does have a price that'll cost you too much. Her daddy once taught her the golden rule He with the gold makes all the rules So her mantra's as clear as the sun in the sky Take all that you can and never ask why. She'll lie and she'll cheat and impale your back And run you right over if it keeps her on track Yet with a curt smile and a wiggle behind Entice you to willingly submit to her bind. And watch as she weaves, her soul be conjoined Into the darkness, her integrity purloined It's all just a board game, profit's true zeal For the spider princess of the corporate deal.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." Let me swim deeply in your sunken pool In my cotton cave of uncovered tools Let me lay my pipe straight and more Feel the heat by your flaming door. Get me the grease the ramrod is sure The parts are in place, the method is pure My engine’s engaged, the tranny does spin Rev me up humming a harmonious din. Let me roller coast on your slippery slide A fantasy feeling the in and out ride Drilling for oil in caverns so deep An electric pulse makes your soul leap. And as I climb that mountain on high Pushing the stone with more than a sigh Heartbeat increases a rhythm now voiced Brain chemicals dance a loving rejoice. The swimming is done I’ve reached my goal A task fully done, a now completed role A feast for a king, all that one can eat In a few short minutes I’ll likely repeat.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." Jimmy can’t make his payments, and Danny lost his job Janey’s got a melanoma and Herbert just got robbed Bob has guilt that eats at him and Mary shed her hair Cathy’s lost her hearing and Jeff has lost his fare. We’re all in trouble, we all have cares No one is immune to living’s hard airs We learn to carry on and live to be strong In spite of bumps, made smooth to last long. Don can’t read, never learned he says and Maria cleans the dirt Chris thinks everyone hates him and Pat never wears a shirt Tyrone dreads he’s HIV and Jess has the stickiest hands Billy gets his joy torturing dogs while Linda makes demands. We’re all in trouble, our demons play out In our weakness, this tissue’s endless bout Yet as troopers in rain we march to glory Knowing illness is only a fleeting story. Carl’s addicted to a half dozen drugs and Karen is vain beyond end Juan chases tail even in dreams and Carol can’t help but spend Fred is not at all interested in work and Donna’s without any faith John likes the challenge of stealing cars and Barb dresses like a wraith. We’re all in trouble, carry it on our cross Do our best to not let mischief be our boss Try to get over it as we grow better and older Attaining wisdom hopefully before we get colder.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." You can incite a riot, go on a diet Weave a wool rug, try a new drug Surf on a wave, dig a fresh grave Finish that tome, never go home You can become a gent, give your assent Revel in toys, fondle young boys Try some new booze, purposefully lose Attract attention, don’t bother mention You may defend others, call out the mothers Eat too much food, dare to be rude Assert your faith, don’t play it safe Go take a risk for all that you’ll miss. Our life is the sum of decisions and choices Making distinctions between music and noises The grand sum of all is what we become Where we are going is where we’ve come from. You can add some spices, avoid all the vices Wrack your brain, even steal to gain Learn what you can, become a new man Build a white house, be quiet as a mouse You can paint in oil, be endlessly loyal Be a trendsetter or be a bedwetter Explore a dark road, lessen your load Mix some new batter, become a mad hatter You can wallow in greed, play through a reed Comment in jest, decide what is best Discover a cure, stoically endure Step up to the plate before it’s too late. One person becomes linear adding in time From the abjectly absurd to the glowing sublime Shall we gladly go to our graves fulfilled With reverent hearts and wisdom instilled? You can dance in the light, become a fright Carry your weight, be annoyingly late Be helpful and caring, eschew all the sharing Go run a mile or just simply smile, You can rock the boat or laugh and gloat Describe what you see, in innocence plead Rely on another or support your brother Respect the truth, extract a tooth You can play at your bass, crash at your place Maneuver your car, worship a star Ease off the throttle, drink from the bottle Live out your dreams, better it seems. Yes, this existence is a reflection of options taken Nothing will happen in directions forsaken If you want it all to be part of your days Point yourself there, directly in phase.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." Five o’clock, the bell rings Crusty and tired, falls out of bliss A cup of scalding sweet mud A shower, a dump, and a piss Wraps himself in silken straitjacket A noose about his neck no less Hits the highway before it hits back Big Brother’s day is anyone’s guess. Eight o’clock, the meetings begin Resigned and nodding, the corporate toady Pushes endless forms thru mouse holes Crosses his T’s in a regulated rhapsody His tune called by a condescending heir He kowtows to the boss’ secretary Swallows his pride, even chokes on it too He warns himself he’s got to be wary. By lunch he’s worn down, can’t see straight Such anger suppressed, the headaches of late Lesser men order and expect him to obey The despair pervades his subservient day. Two o'clock, they review his work So viciously spiteful, holds back his speech Another week wasted in his life as a tool How he dreams of a cocktail on the beach Yet back to his hole amidst the shuffling dread To satisfy an ungrateful capital leach He wants to cry out at his ever depressing lot The future he seeks is beyond his reach. Five o’clock, he packs it in for home Wryly thanks whatever deity is new That he didn’t lose this job that he believes He needs to keep his bills from overdue No overtime needed today, that’s a change Jockey his wreck thru a freeway untrue To a selfish wife whose dad gave her the house He barely tolerates, a condition he rues. Six o’clock, the kids are at his heels I need an iPod and I need a phone Barely catching his breath walking thru the door Vastly uninspired, yields a pathetic moan Ripping off his necktie and suit in step Guzzling down cheap beer, tired to the bone His nagging wife wants him to paint the house That he knows he will never really own. His dinner is choked down, gruel at best Profoundly frustrated, too beat down to be mad The wife has the remote control, like he cares There’s nothing on the tube for him, it’s all bad She’ll never turn it off and turn him on He hopes to dream of the life he never had And as he involuntarily sinks into uneasy slumber Only one thought is unendingly sad: It’s only Monday!