The American Dream

An experience to be had is out there
Dream past the American Dream
With booze and stress and happiness
Life comes but in between

The ipad-iphone, tweeter buzz
It keeps my nerves suppressed
This weekend I might off myself
But you can hit me on the text

Phones have become surveillance systems
This culture is now my jail
My credit card has taken charge
MasterCard will pay my bail

They sign you up in college now
Let the American adventure begin
A free t-shirt ought to cheer you up
But the debt will do you in

You're growing up, let freedom ring
But first find a partner and settle down
Walk the aisle and have a child
And embrace the suburban sounds

Parenthood is for everyone
Or so we tell ourselves
Soccer leagues with bad referees
Disneylands and Tinkerbells

Gossip, chatter, it's in the air
Keep me up to date
My life's as bland as desert sand
I've seen Aladdin 1 through 8

I've met these moms, angelic souls
Environmentally kind
Bluetooth strollers, expensive sunglasses
A million in a line

They need a job, a status marker
A title that gets respect
Home is where the heart is, fine
But happiness comes from checks

What do you do? they tend to ask
Politely with no shame
Your business card is what you are
Your life is just a game

Your dreams have turned to dollar signs
A human turned to cash
The adventure that this life once promised
Derailed, and burned and smashed

The movies, movies, we're going there
My gosh, it's Friday night
Gas, showtimes, jackets, good seats
We drink coke, the kids have Sprite

I cannot focus, this isn't good
The preview was better again
Romantic comedies suspend the lie
Of charming, handsome men

I cheated on my wife just once
Strangely with no remorse
Either this bride does really hate me
Or love has run its course

America, I love you
I believe we will prevail
My dream I've not, my life you've got
Your culture is my jail