"I know the pieces fit"
Schism
Tool
From the album
Lateralus
I know the pieces fit cuz I watched them fall away
mildewed and smoldering, fundamental differing,
pure intention juxtaposed will set two lovers souls in motion
disintegrating as it goes testing our communication
the light that fueled our fire then has burned a hole between us so
we cannot see to reach an end crippling our communication.
I know the pieces fit cuz I watched them tumble down
no fault, none to blame it doesn't mean I don't desire to
point the finger, blame the other, watch the temple topple over.
To bring the pieces back together, rediscover communication.
The poetry that comes from the squaring off between,
And the circling is worth it.
Finding beauty in the dissonance.
There was a time that the pieces fit, but I watched them fall away.
Mildewed and smoldering, strangled by our coveting
I've done the the math enough to know the dangers of a second guessing
Doomed to crumble unless we grow, and strengthen our communication
cold silence has a tendency to atrophy any sense of compassion
between supposed lovers
between supposed brothers.
And I know the pieces fit.
As a lyricist, Maynard James Keenan has a gift for exploring unseen aspects of subjects that most songwriters wouldn't dare to write about, and for using unusual metaphors to express his insights.
One need look no further than Stinkfist to see an example of this, where Keenan explores the uncomfortable subject of sexual boredom, and uses a rather uncomfortable sexual metaphor to do so.
In the song Schism, Keenan explores the subject of schisms, be they religious, political, or in the case of this particular debate, scientific, and the metaphor he uses is that of lovers, to explore the love/hate relationship involved between the parties to any heated debate.
For example, those in the US who are critical of our nation's foreign and/or domestic policies are often accused of hating their country; those who dissent from orthodox religious teachings are often accused of hating God, and those who dissent from mainstream scientific views are often accused of being "anti-science".
In reality, however, it is arguable that those Americans who criticize the US love their country with a passion unrivaled by the most avid flag-waver, those who have criticized orthodox religions do so out of a deep love for the very religions that they criticize, and likewise, those who engage in controversial debate over scientific issues do so out of a pure passion for the objective truth that science represents, which is no less considerable than the love of orthodox scientists for those very same scientific truths. Thus, "Pure intention juxtaposed will set two lovers' souls in motion..."
And, as lovers will do, the parties to such a debate will seem to alternately attack each other, stroke each other, praise each other, and raise their voices in passion, as they strive towards a paroxysm of mutual understanding and ultimate communication.
"I know the pieces fit..."
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