Seeing Like A State
from Alive Again by Michael Garfield
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lyrics
I dug your nails in your arm
No blood but they left a mark
You came to no harm
But I still have the scars
You hit me first but complained
And landed me in suspension
Because illegible pains
Rarely merit attention
And now the lessons endure
Although the song doesn't change
You're measured or you're ignored
An indefensible claim
And everyone in between
Invisible or unseen
We optimize our machines
With only what we perceive
These metaphors hide crucial depth
But it's our lot to live with it
Our egregores cannot protect
The small and large they can't detect
When they're seeing like a state
They say they squeaky wheel's greased
Campaigns get people released
But when they're no one around
Then that tree don't hit the ground
And history's written by victors
And evidence is suppressed
Unless it registers Richters
Expect it lost like the rest
The integers rule common math
But reals are far the larger set
Your algebra cannot contain
The novelty we generate
When you're seeing like a state
No blood but they left a mark
You came to no harm
But I still have the scars
You hit me first but complained
And landed me in suspension
Because illegible pains
Rarely merit attention
And now the lessons endure
Although the song doesn't change
You're measured or you're ignored
An indefensible claim
And everyone in between
Invisible or unseen
We optimize our machines
With only what we perceive
These metaphors hide crucial depth
But it's our lot to live with it
Our egregores cannot protect
The small and large they can't detect
When they're seeing like a state
They say they squeaky wheel's greased
Campaigns get people released
But when they're no one around
Then that tree don't hit the ground
And history's written by victors
And evidence is suppressed
Unless it registers Richters
Expect it lost like the rest
The integers rule common math
But reals are far the larger set
Your algebra cannot contain
The novelty we generate
When you're seeing like a state
credits
from Alive Again,
released December 14, 2021
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about
Michael Garfield Santa Fe, New Mexico
Singer-songwriter, avant-guitarist, and live electronic producer all at once, Michael's dynamic live shows and intricate albums takes listeners on emotional trips spanning folk tradition and the avant-garde.
discography
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Apr 2024 -
Nov 2023 -
Sep 2023 -
Aug 2023
contact / help
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