More Soul II Soul

I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see right through you…
I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see right through you…
A dream’s a dream and I’m wishing on a star
So through the darkness show me who you are
A dream’s a dream and I’m wishing on a star
So through the darkness show me who you are
I have a picture, a thought in mind / Now it’s time to realize
This is something you should analyze / in your mind…
Are you dreaming wishing on a star / A dream’s a dream and so a star
So through the darkness, show me who you are
Are you dreaming wishing on a star / A dream’s a dream and so a star
So through the darkness, show me who you are
Now as I see the things in front of me / Open my arms and welcome you
Hoping that this dream will come true . . .
So many rivers to cross / Somehow you could get lost
But by the time I’m through / I can see right through you
I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see right through you…
I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see right through you…
I am dreaming wishing on a star / A dream’s a dream and so a star
So through the darkness show me who you are
Now I can see all these things in front of me
I’ll open my arms and I’ll welcome you
And I hope that this dream will come true…
I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see right through you
I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see, I can see right through you
I’m wishing on a star,
I’m wishing on a star
I’m wishing on a dream,
I’m wishing on a dream

Waiting on Radio

Circa 1989, I was obsessed with this song.
It was everywhere on the airwaves. (Radio still ruled, back then.) It was floating on the wind, it was blaring from passing cars, it was playing in the mall, the corner drugstore, wherever . . . I used to sit by my boombox with a blank cassette, waiting to catch it and finally record it. Eventually I borrowed the C.D. (remember those ?) and I came to know every track on the album intimately.
I appreciate the retro-70s strings in this composition.
This song is amazing, like a relic from a bygone civilization.

Rome 52 A.D.

Sworn to kill the Church (or at least forestall),
Reviling Jesus, Christians, and Saint Paul,
The Pharisees finally blow their cover.
Things in Rome are starting to boil over;
Vesuvian rumblings portend Pompeii . . .
Judah await their Messianic day—
       But Claudius plans to expel all Jews . . .

Hateful superstitions cloud their views:
Torah with Talmud their rabbis confuse.
Not-so-Abrahamic agitation
Fails again to unify the nation;
Waiting for Moses/Elijah/David
Some expectations are waxing fervid
       And Claudius moves to disperse the Jews.

Zionist riots make the nightly news
Every Roman synagogue now must choose:
Goyim government tells them to desist—
Caesar demands incense—and some resist.
For subversion (or just causing trouble)
Imperial power rewards them double.
       Meanwhile, Claudius expels the Jews.

Failing empire demands what saints refuse;
They wait for Babylon to pay her dues . . .
Forced to pack up and leave, all Israel flees.
No plagues, no Passover, no exit fees.
Like Lot, they had to leave in a hurry;
Enriched by God in interest, gold and worry.
       Now why would Claudius banish all the Jews?

Stand historically in Josephus’ shoes.
Rabbi’s babble on while Rome’s legions lose . . .
Empires die. It’s agonizingly slow.
You think it happened suddenly—but no.
In retrospect, not different from today.
And History will have the final say:
       Why then did Claudius expel the Jews?