Looking for the Holes

i am looking for the holes
 the holes in your jeans
 because i want to know
 are they worn out in the seat
 or are they worn out in the knees
 there are so many ways to wear
 what we've got before it's gone
 to make use of what is there
 i don't wear anything i can't wipe my hands on
 do your politics fit between the headlines
 are they written in newsprint, are they distant
 mine are crossing an empty parking lot
 they are a woman walking home
 at night
 alone
 they are six string that sing
 and wood that hums against my hipbone
 we can't afford to do anyone harm
 because we owe them our lives
 each breath is recycled from someone else's lungs
 are enemies are the very air in disguise
 you can talk a great philosophy
 but if you can't be kind to people
 every day
 it doesn't mean that much to me
 it's the little things you do
 the little things you say
 it's the love you give along the way
 when we patch things up
 they say a job well done
 but when we ask why
 where did the rips come from
 they say we are subversive
 and extreme, of course
 we are just trying to track a problem to its source
 because we know we can't sit back
 and let people come to harm
 we owe them our lives
 each breath is recycled from someone else's lungs
 our enemies are the very air
 our enemies are the air
 we are looking for the holes
 the holes in your jeans
 because we want to know
 are they worn out in the seat
 or are they worn out in the knees