disenchanted

this is embarrassing, but i suppose i ought to start with some of the early stuff. i wrote this one in the eight grade as my idealism was beginning and very sporadic. originally i called it "what's the matter with the world today?", but that just seems so dramatic now. here we go:

what's the matter with the world today?
our kids can't even go outside to play
the drugs, the environment, and the violence
why can't we form an alliance?
work together, stop the crime
can't you see we're running out of time?

open your eyes and look around
up in the sky, down on the ground
trees are falling
skies are gray
what's the matter with the world today?

in the distance i hear the gun blast
the screeching of tires, they flee the scene fast
on the pavement a body lays
another person comes to the end of his days
i look at the scene and i have to say,
what's the matter with the world today?

an athlete, he's strong, his performance is great
only good food is seen on his plate
he pops a pill in his mouth and shrugs
"it's not like i'm hooked on drugs"
look at the pressure on his face
on wrong move and he'll be disgraced
it's only a game, the word is 'play'
what's the matter with the world today?

a homeless man wanders the streets
he begs from everyone he meets
"i'll work for food or a place to stay"
what's the matter with the world today?

people are suffering
the earth is practically gone
we've got to work together, we've got to get along
i've only got one more thing to say
we've got to save the world today