Empires Fall from America by Catherine Feeny

I watched your bus as it pulled away from the station
I thought I saw your hand pressed to the glass
Five fingers spread out in panic or supplication
I wish I knew but I never ask

And there you go
Trapped like a bird in formation
Empires fall
I'll be here when you return

When I first looked at the picture I didn't notice
Something was missing that used to be part of your face
A question that lived in between your eyes and your hairline
Heaviness moved in and settled in its place

I know you
Caught like a kid in the crossfire
Empires fall
I'll be here when you return

There you stood
Lost like a word in translation
Empires fall
I'll be here when you return

• Pop
• folk
• protest songs
• singer-songwriter
• world music
• Portland