It Doesn't Show [Tommy Shaw]

Peace, Love (Weird)
Written by Tommy Shaw
Lead Vocals by Marina Sirtis

Calm
I must be calm
I shall will the shaky hands to be still
My racing heart must keep
Its urgent message to itself
For no one would understand

Insanity
The world moves in slow motion
I must express these thoughts
So bursting to be born
That my skin might split open
My every thought rushing out
Only to be infinitely recycled
Like a fountain in an office building's lobby

Peace
I know no peace
When my stream of consciousness
Becomes a tidal wave
Ready to wash away lives and property
Long believed to be safely bolted
To stone foundations on high ground

Security
My mind is a killing machine
In remission only for as long as it takes
To create a false sense of safeness
For the grazing Zen herd

A coyote
So quiet and interesting
It has been accepted as a pet
Allowed in the house with the cat
And the children

A snake
Sleeping in the sun
So hypnotic and seductive
Because it has never coiled, or rattled

I look in the mirror

And it doesn't show

Interpretation

Stream of consciousness while meditating. Be calm (but I have something to say!). I need to express my thoughts, which almost feels like insanity. I won't know peace until I get these thoughts out. It's like a tidal wave hitting a coastal village and destroying buildings on high ground thought to be safe. These ideas are so strong that creating a song is only a temporary respite, like a hunter pausing to let the herd settle down before attacking. Consider the coyote that can seem so docile and safe but will suddenly turn on you or the snake that sleeps in the sun and seems so harmless until you see it coiled and ready to strike.  You can't see it when you look at me, but inside is this chaotic storm of creativity fighting to be released.