It was in the classroom

On the basketball court and in the fields too

A drive that pulled me through

If I could just be in the center of their eyes

If they applauded all my valiant tries

If I could be smart for just a day

Or fast enough to keep any criticism at bay

If I tried enough I could be pretty

Did they admire me any

I always sought their approval

At 16, 17, my early 20s – it even followed me to my 30s

Could I be funny if they heard me

High school was 20 years ago

Back then I didn’t really know that with the earth spinning and the clock ticking

We’d all age

I find it a bit strange

I’m still running the same streets

And hoping people notice me

My teachers and my friend’s parents are in the obituaries

Were all those people in the bleachers and seats all those years just fairies

I ran so hard after their approval

Now I’m attending their funerals

What am I to do when the leaders backs are broken

And when all my once elegant teachers are chokin’

My father was out in the yard today and he tried to hand me a rake

His shoulders are stooped

But here’s the truth: in my mind he’s still 42

What does he see when he looks to me

I hope I’m everything he hoped I’d be

In another 20 years

I don’t know if he’ll still be here

I stand in the yard, I run in the streets – nearly alone

And today I ran past the hospital where I was born

It’s being torn – down

Its bricks are bones

Why’s everything decaying

Nearly all my life I’ve been praying

As I was taught by all the men and women I looked up to

I’m just waiting for all this to be renewed

To hear in the end, by the One with whom it counts, that I’m approved