You Were You Are

The grumpy old server at the pub
Chews out some bottled-water teen
Who grabs her card and says
"Old man, there's nicer ways of being mean, you know"
A sparrow spreads herself half-mast
Lit by the glow outside the bar window
Superimposed on which a face can't quite cry

Screamin' to screens, mean to machines, you were, you are
Speakin' so loud, lost in the crowd, you were, you are
Pissed when folks don't get jokes, you were, you are

I was a miserable young lad
Perspired at the very thought of me
When all I needed was some sense
And a provisional tracheotomy
A siren glides a carcass past
The motor's slow to shut the car window
Oh, Rearview, I hear you go making some point
Taking it ever more south instead
Ruining all the shit you just said
You should quit while you're ahead

Screamin' to screens, mean to machines, you were, you are
Struttin' so proud, head in the clouds, you were, you are
Lost in sound, deaf, dumb and drowned, you were, you are