Skies Closed, Streets Open

Skies Closed, Streets Open

Verse 1 — Venezuela

Helicopters like wasps in the Caracas night, Operation with a steel-hearted name took flight. They lifted a leader from a fortress of brass, Flew him north through sealed-off sky and glass. In New York air, a courtroom waits and hums, While a voice back home says the country will be run. An interim oath calls it barbarity in tears, The UN readies seats, the world leans in its ears. Flights were grounded, ocean roads of air went still, Then opened like a sigh across the Caribbean chill.

Sources:

• Nicolas Maduro arrives in New York after capture, arraignment expected Monday
• 'We are going to run the country,' Trump says after strike on Venezuela
• Timeline: How the US assault on Venezuela unfolded
• U.S. strikes in Venezuela trigger regional and global alarm
• Airlines scramble to add Caribbean flights after airspace restrictions strand tens of thousands of travelers

---

Chorus

Hold on—this planet’s singing louder, Borders bend and headlines shout. Wires hum, the ground grows prouder, Hearts on fire, doubts burn out. Hold on—storms become a chorus, Every street and screen a stage. Turn the dial; the future’s for us, Write the line, and lift the page.

---

Verse 2 — Iran

From the bazaar’s breath to the far-off hills, A currency crumbles, the crowd’s courage fills. “Death to the dictator” rings through smoke and glare, Candles and sirens mingle in the square. Warnings cross oceans, threats ride the wind, Power says “put them in place,” then says “let’s begin” To talk of bread and roofs and the price of light, It’s the largest storm since that other, aching night.

Sources:

• Trump warns Iran after protests turn deadly across several provinces
• Five things you need to know about protests in Iran
• Iran's Khamenei says rioters 'must be put in their place' amid protests
• 2025–2026 Iranian protests - Wikipedia

---

Verse 3 — EV Shift

On electric roads, a new crown changes hands, A dragon takes the lead with factories on new lands. Old rivals stall with models running thin, Credits fade, and politics scrape the skin. Across the Channel, echoes cool the brand, While plants rise in Turkey and Hungary’s sand. Showrooms buzz in island rain, Batteries hum like a long, low train.

Sources:

• The world has a new EV king. It's not Tesla
• China's BYD overtakes Tesla as world's top EV seller for the first time
• BYD officially crushes Tesla in all-electric sales for 2025
• Tesla Dominated EVs For Years. BYD Just Left It In The Dust

---

Chorus

Hold on—this planet’s singing louder, Borders bend and headlines shout. Wires hum, the ground grows prouder, Hearts on fire, doubts burn out. Hold on—storms become a chorus, Every street and screen a stage. Turn the dial; the future’s for us, Write the line, and lift the page.

---

Verse 4 — New York

In a hidden station under city bones, A hand on a Quran, the rails like tones. Morning brought the people, banners in the air, Bernie raised the oath, and friends said “dare.” The city’s first Muslim at the granite mic, Free buses promised, rents on strike. Child care for all like a sunrise plan, From distant shores to mayor’s stand.

Sources:

• Watch NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's full inauguration speech
• Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor in abandoned subway station
• WATCH: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani gives inaugural speech
• Zohran Mamdani begins term as New York's first Muslim mayor

---

Verse 5 — Bulgaria

The lev turns a corner, pockets find a star, The euro’s colder shine now jingles in the jar. Half the room is cheering, half guard their bread, Inflation shadows whispers in the shed. A president scolds the missing vote, Prices wear two labels while they float. A family says “welcome,” the ledger replies, New coins, old questions in the citizens’ eyes.

Sources:

• Bulgaria switches to the euro amid mixed reactions from its citizens
• Bulgaria introduces the euro - ECB
• Bulgaria adopts euro amid celebration and anxiety over inflation

---

Verse 6 — CES

Desert lights bloom and the robots breathe, AI steps off the screen to roll up its sleeves. Chips from old titans drum in a row, Screens blur like wings where the pixels glow. No more fireworks only built for show, Smaller minds in our wrists learn the flow. The keynote’s fire sets the gears to spin— From hype to the hands where the world begins.

Sources:

• CES 2026: What to expect when tech's biggest conference starts on January 4
• CES 2026: What to expect from the tech industry's biggest show of the year
• In 2026, AI will move from hype to pragmatism
• CES 2026 LIVE: All the biggest tech and gadget news as it happens

---

Bridge

Caracas wind, Tehran flame, Sofia’s purse, New York name. Factory gates, Vegas glare, Every headline learning care. Rivals trade the lightning crown, Skies once closed are open now. We hold the steering wheel of sound— Hear the future gain its ground.

---

Final Chorus and Ending

Hold on—this planet’s singing louder, Borders bend and headlines shout. Wires hum, the ground grows prouder, Hearts on fire, doubts burn out. Hold on—rise with the roaring thunder, Grip the moment, break it open. We’re the spark that pulls the wonder— Kick the door, the world’s now spoken! Skies once closed, streets fly open! Raise the chord—the future’s woken!