Walking By

If I fell into step with you for one day,

Would I ever be able to bear with your pain?

Would my shoulders slump,

Would my insides shudder?

Would my heart give way,

Or could I see something better?

Would I stand as life took its blows on my back?

Could I think just one time without dwelling in lack?

Could I walk as you walk past my skeptical glare?

Would I look as you look with your misty-eyed stare?

Where would I go as I watched my home crumble?

How could I walk on as my family stumbled?

What would I do if I lost all I've known?

How would I cope if I were alone?

I've blamed you,

I've cursed you,

I've left you for dead.

I've bruised you,

And beat you,

What's wrong in my head?!

I think these 4 walls that I've boxed myself in

Demonstrate how I'm strong and I'll fight and I'll win.

But I forget these 4 walls are a trap with no view,

No window to see what's right or what's true.

Because if I tore a wall down to see what I'd see,

I'd realize the real problem's not you, it's me.

Ball & Chain

Congrats, today's your day

Take these keys and drive away

You've got new wings

You've found new life

It's time to fly

100 miles per hour, wind through your hair

I should've known how much you cared

Cut these chains loose, adventures calling

Now you're free & I'm free falling

I should've known, but I saw too late

To my best friend, I was dead weight

Ball & chain

Run faster, don't look back

Don't lament the widening gap

I've got it covered

For us both

No need to fret

When you said you needed me, I was flattered

Now while your heart soars, mine's still shattered

Here I thought stripes were just your thing

But to you they were a prison game

How was I to know that by holding you up

I'd be the last thing dragging you down?

(*written June 2010*)