Headphones in place
A vacant stare on my face
My practiced expression, top drawer
As I glare at myself in the doors
And that's when I'm sobered
By a note in a hand that's red raw
He cannot afford
To silence the voices
Or to focus his gaze on the floor
He's got to do more
They're desperately poor
I'm fumbling for cash
Hand in hat for a conjurer's stash
As I thought, I must find words to tell
Why I won't be providing him help
And that's when I'm sobered
By the kindness in eyes so forlorn
He cannot afford
To silence the voices
Or to focus his gaze on the floor
He's got to do more
They're desperately poor
His face says that he knows
My growing dread has been shown
He's sensed me thinking of my son
We'd both die to save a cherished one
I can't begin to comprehend gifts
Only received by the few lucky kids
Oughta run to my job
Can't be late no I won't miss my stop
After leaving I ponder my time
Could have gone to get cash, my career would survive
Damn I've been sobered
By the fear of the father I saw
He cannot afford
To silence the voices
Or to focus his gaze on the floor
He's got to do more
At least I've been sobered
By our differing luck in this draw
He cannot afford
To silence the voices
Or to focus his gaze on the floor
He's got to do more
I could have done more