look around the square
see the grey hats and grey suits
and shoes that don't quite go with the outfit
all looking for a place to sit
to rest their bones a bit before their wives come out of the store
hopefully, they'll have a nice wait
maybe they'll find some food and good company
over by the Lazarus in the mall
they worked hard their whole lives
provided for kids, and grandkids,
built all we see around us,
during the bright, strong, days of youth.
from yesterday, you know their stories...
some of our buddies died in wars, cars, and bars
and some of our kids died the same way
most of the time we stood by our families,
sometimes we ran over or ran away from them,
mostly we were there for them and they were there for us.
now, as their colors fade to gray,
and their chicks fly from the nest,
and all that's left to build is a birdhouse for Xmas,
it's gotta be hard to just sit down by the Lazarus
or stroll around the statue in the square.
there is still passion in the breast.
there are dreams of great plans not yet realized;
whether they be pig farms, houses, or
just a quiet life on the beach.
but today, today, you can almost hear it...
there's a new book over at the B. Dalton's
and she said it'd only take a minute
to get one of the grandkids a birthday present
Jim sure looks good after the operation
hope there aren't many of those in the future for either of us.
it's time to fly; time to leave the square.
night is coming and the nest awaits the grey birds.
but don't worry, they'll be back at their familiar perches tomorrow.