we used to build upon the land
we used to take things in our hands
we made Boston triple deckers
and shotguns in New Orleans

they changed the locks and ate the key
there’s none for you and none for me
if you wanna raise your family
if you wanna live close by
all it ever takes is money
but some of us heed a higher call

these dogs are only ever barking
if you ever try to dream at all
they would tear down the world just for parking
we ask 
oh, when will they realize

at night I think of Chmielowski
how he couldn’t justify his art
and is there a way i play my part
I wonder
so far, I’ve thought it was the right thing
aren’t there many ways to feed your friends

I remember the man behind my house
sleeping upon that parking space
and the highway expands
that space devoured
but is it the right of way

and the space and the time
not things we own
but doesn’t it count to be from a place
and the children you love now have no choice
we crawl, then we walk, then we run away

and you could be loved
favored like me
but sometimes it’s wandering like men on the streets
yes, you could be last
favored like that
this place will be haunted by every past

A Paradise of Small Houses

maybe ill do better next life w latoo

I Saw Three Ships

Sufjan Stevens

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