Hollow Eyes

You’ve seen people like this. I’ve been people like this. In their eyes you see nothing. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing there. It just means you have to watch out for the quiet ones.

I started to write the lyrics for this song at a birthday party, full of wonderful people, where I found myself in a familiar position: slinking into a corner and sinking into my thoughts. If you look deep enough into people’s eyes, especially these days, you’ll see eyes hollowed out by fear, anger, or hopelessness. You’ll see eyes stuck in bodies that have had too much to eat or drink. Not enough sleep. And never enough love.

If you look close enough into those hollow eyes you might see something else. Something that looks a lot like understanding. That’s where hope comes from.

The space between your fingers
Where the light slips through
Used to hold the universe
And then it grew
Like we all do

I remember falling down but
Having so much fun
That every stingy injury
Just faded in the sun
Then it was done

I’m the one on the wall
The one that always looks like he’s gonna fall
I’m the one who could scream
But nobody would know what I mean
I’m the one with the hollow eyes
That can penetrate any disguise
I’m the one with the hollow eyes
That can penetrate any, penetrate any, penetrate any disguise

I was born this way
I see what can’t be seen
Everything you try to hide
It just burns brighter
Deep inside

I’m the one on the train
Drinking beer and staring out at the rain
I’m the one on the street
Always getting in the way of your feet
I’m the one riding waves
And finding buried treasure in caves
I’m the one underneath
Hanging by the skin of my teeth
I’m the one with the hollow eyes
That can penetrate any disguise
I’m the one with the hollow eyes
That can penetrate any, penetrate any, penetrate any disguise
I can penetrate any, penetrate any, penetrate any disguise
I can penetrate any, penetrate any, penetrate any disguise
I can penetrate any, penetrate any, penetrate any disguise