Waiting for you to hear my words

Waiting for you to hear my words

Twisting my purse strap, I waited for the song to start,
Cat's in the Cradle and the Silver spoon
It was a song I chose for the words, trying to send you
a hint, with a sledge hammer, not that you would notice.

I listened carefully to every word as if listening for you,
Had you heard Harry Chapin sing the words from my soul,
when ya comin home Dad, I don't know when But even
with you near me, my fingers weren't long enough to catch you.

My heart lifted and I felt burning behind my eyes
But we'll be together then, son, I know we'll have a good time then
I pinched my thigh to make myself stop crying,
He doesn't know emotion, I thought, fighting back the tears

The new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,
but its sure nice talkin to you, dad, it's sure nice talkin to you.
I  imagined you an old man wanting my company
and me with kids and no time, making lame excuses.

I was young and naive, and you were the age I am now,
still young and naive.  At fifteen, how was I to know?
To me, you were perfect and I wasn't worth the time. 
I was losing the battle with the tears, and you were oblivious.

We pulled up to the house.  You had the grace to wait
till the song ended before you patted me on the leg,
"So, should I walk you to the door?" I told you "No thanks, 
Just tell me what you thought of the song."

"What song, Oh, I didn't hear the words, but I liked the beat"
And years later, I would like to say I don't have the time
when you call seeking to make up lost moments.  But instead, 
I'm still waiting for you to hear the words to my song.


SWPoet

Lines in italics were taken from the Harry Chapin song, "Cat's in the Cradle"