Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order

An insulated border

In between the bright lights
 and the far unlit unknown


Growing up it all seems so one-sided

Opinions all provided

The future pre-decided

Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone


Nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone


(Subdivisions)

In the high school halls

In the shopping malls

Conform or be cast out

(Subdivisions)

In the basement bars

In the backs of cars

Be cool or be cast out


Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth

But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth


Drawn like moths we drift into the city

The timeless old attraction

Cruising for the action

Lit up like a firefly

Just to feel the living night


Some will sell their dreams for small desires

Or lose the race to rats

Get caught in ticking traps

And start to dream of somewhere

To relax their restless flight


Somewhere out of a memory of lighted streets on quiet nights...


(Subdivisions)

In the high school halls

In the shopping malls

Conform or be cast out

(Subdivisions)

In the basement bars

In the backs of cars

Be cool or be cast out

---  Neil Peart