Countdown
Ten-Nine-Eight-Seven-Six-Five-Four-Three-Two-One
The countdown is on.
It’s almost eight, I’m running late,
I grab my coat, I grab my bag,
Slip on my shoes and hurry through the door.
Forgot my keys, go back inside,
Look everywhere, I must be blind.
Don’t think that I can take it anymore.
It’s twelve fifteen, I’m feeling lean,
I feed my face, and back to work,
The boss won’t let me have a minute more.
Got kids at school, yeah I’m no fool,
I do my job, play by the rules.
Don’t think that I can take it anymore.
The whistle blows, it’s time to go,
I grab my things, run for the door,
Another day, another dollar earned.
I pay my dues, I bide my time,
Retirement is on my mind.
I can’t help feeling like I’m getting burned.
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester
Breathe
Driving impossible dreams in an everyday world
I drink only the finest of wine and have the most beautiful girl
Wearing the finest that money can buy my kids are all Ivy League
I’m drowning in debt, I’m barely alive, I carefully plan what you see
They’re telling me to breathe, just breathe in the air
Well I’m trying to breathe, can you hear me out there?
All I got to do is breathe, just breathe in the air
I’m fighting to breathe; I’m suffocating in here!
I can’t drive just any old ride, only the fastest will do
My boat and my bike are in storage now, I just needed the room
Hiding the truth, living the lie, it’s my American dream
The payments are high, the credit is lean, I’m coming apart at the seams.
They’re telling me to breathe, just breathe in the air
Well I’m trying to breathe, can you hear me out there?
All I got to do is breathe, just breathe in the air
I’m fighting to breathe; I’m suffocating in here!
They’re telling me to breathe, just breathe in the air
Well I’m trying to breathe, can you hear me out there?
All I got to do is breathe, just breathe in the air
I’m fighting to breathe; I’m suffocating in here!
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester
Weightless
Weightless, drifting, silent, and hopeless.
On my way home, I find myself searching, looking for something I may have already found.
I'm not sure, I can describe it, I just know I want it, and still I remain homeward bound.
Startled awake, it's another useless day,
I don't know why I even bother getting out of bed.
I drag my ass to work, and I face that stupid jerk,
I waste my life for pennies on the dollars that they make.
When the weekend comes around, I try to hold my ground,
but there's always someone, somewhere wanting more from me.
All my life is spent in sacrifice, it's costing me a hefty price;
Heaven knows there's got to be a better way.
Weightless, drifting, silent and hopless. Why don't you rescue me?
Stuck in this tin can, trying to find my way. Why won't you rescue me?
I've just got to find my way home again.
Startled awake, it's another useless day,
I don't know why I even bother getting out of bed.
I drag my ass to work, and I face that stupid jerk,
I waste my life for pennies on the dollars that they make.
When the weekend comes around, I try to hold my ground,
but there's always someone, somewhere wanting more from me.
All my life is spent in sacrifice, it's costing me a hefty price,
Heaven knows there's got to be a better way.
Weightless, drifting, silent, and hopeless.
On my way home, I find myself searching, looking for something I may have already found.
I'm not sure, I can describe it, I just know I want it, and still I remain homeward bound.
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester
All Systems Down
The soft orange glow in the western sky signals the end of the working day.
One by one the lights come on. Faceless zombies find their way home.
I take off my hat and hang up my coat then warm my hands by the fire.
Dinner smells especially good tonight. My wife greets me with her smile.
An old routine repeated millions of times. Tonight it’s just not the same.
I don’t really know what’s come over me. Maybe it’s just middle age.
All systems are down the best years are all behind me.
All systems are down now I feel the whole world is mocking me.
Give us this day our daily bread, deliver us from all evil.
For now, and forever, amen. That’s how the prayer goes.
It’s hard to find what matters the most, especially when there’s no time.
The years eventually catch up to us and bring it all to mind.
All systems are down the best years are all behind me.
All systems are down now I feel the whole world is mocking me.
Na-na-na-na-na….
All systems are down now.
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester
Near Earth Orbit
So long, when you realize that your dreams won’t come true.
So long, when you finally notice what life’s given you.
As a boy, I once thought I’d set the whole world on fire.
A lifetime has gone astray in a cruel, cruel world.
So long, drifting in an orbit out here on my own.
So long, staring down the muzzle of a loaded gun.
My life has passed me by in the blink of an eye.
The years have filtered out truths from all of the lies.
This doesn't seem to be working, maybe I should take some more.
I don't even feel sleepy.
What good is this stuff, what good is this stuff, what good is this stuff?
I'm so tired. Where did you go? I can't see you.
Sigh.
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester
Differing Worlds
They travelled to the new world aboard their tiny ship
With faith their god would see them safely through the perilous trip
Abandoning the old world in search of something new
Risking all they had for they were the chosen few
Differing worlds - In - Differing times
Differing dreams - For - Differing minds!
Differing reasons - And - Differing lives
Differing truths - Form - Differing lies!
They settled where they landed and were finally left alone
Shedding all their baggage from the world they left behind
Eventually the word got out to the masses back at home
The others came in droves seeking a new and better life
Differing worlds - In - Differing times
Differing dreams - For - Differing minds!
Differing reasons - And - Differing lives
Differing truths - Form - Differing lies!
It’s been generations since we settled our new land
Ironically it has become what they’d left behind
Looking to the stars now we’re plotting our escape
With faith our god will see us safely through the perilous trip
Differing worlds - In - Differing times
Differing dreams - For - Differing minds!
Differing reasons - And - Differing lives
Differing truths - Form - Differing lies!
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester
Old Mountain Train
It’s time to relax on the old mountain train
Riding the rails an adventure awaits
Never a care, come along for the ride
Pour another drink. Let the train be your guide
It’s hard to see how anything could go wrong
With you here by my side singing along
Never a care, come along for the ride
Pour another drink. Let the train be your guide.
Imagine our life’s like this bumpy old train
Our terminal journey with stops along the way
Never a care, come along for the ride
Pour another drink. Let the train be your guide.
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester
Beyond The Solar System
Relaxing under, a big autumn sky
No moon tonight, pitch black, only stars
Pondering who's out there, we cannot be alone
Orphans in a universe that’s void of other life
Cautiously, I observe our ever changing world
A realist by nature, with an optimistic view
Predictably retreating, back to my comfort zone
We discover nothing, when we stay at home
So let's go, and explore, what's beyond, the solar system
Won't you fly me, far away, out beyond, the solar system
At times I ponder, from northern hemisphere
Constellations, artifacts, compelling evidence
Cryptic clues were left behind, just waiting to be found
Maybe our ancestors, really had it figured out
So many questions, many still remain
Are we just the product of an alien world?
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who holds this view
It’s time we leave our planet and discover worlds anew
So let's go, and explore, what's beyond, the solar system
Won't you fly me, far away, out beyond, the solar system
So let's go, and explore, what's beyond, the solar system
Won't you fly me, far away, out beyond, the solar system
Let's go, and explore, what's beyond, the solar system
Won't you fly me, far away, out beyond, the solar system
Copyright 2016 Mark Ruester