::11:20:07::

::: If It Were Only Sneakers :::

If it were sneakers that I were trying to protect
That would be easy
I'd put them in the closet and find them a nice space
On my two-tier shoe rack
They'd gather dust, sure
But they'd be safe and sound
In my dark, cool closet

But it's not sneakers
Not Nikes, or Adidas, or Reeboks
It's my son - he's only nine
And I try to disguise my fear when he's around
Fear of what could happen
Has already happened - when his father is obsessed

The court-appointed guardian tells me
"Sure his father is a bully, but you're going to have to deal with him."
Deal with him?
She's caught in his spell.  I can see it.
Believing his lies that he's the victim in all this
"He's so charming." She says with a smile

Sure he's charming
And fly paper is sweet to attract the flies
Fly paper doesn't care that I struggle
Or that I beg for it to let go of us
She's a fly too, but she can't see it
The fly paper will hold us until there's no life left
"You have to get along" she advises, her wings buzzing

How crazy it is when you manage to flutter free, gasping
Paper sticking to everything you love
Hoping to capture you again
Whatever the cost - great or small
Because why would you want to be free?
Free from what?  He's so charming.

Well charm doesn't protect the innocent
It's too late to hope my son won't see what his daddy is capable of
He's learning and he's angry at everything
"I hate President Bush!" he declares "Liar!"
Sure he does.  Why wouldn't he?
Just another man he's supposed to respect, but can't
"Mom, do all men hate being fathers?" he asks, out of nowhere
And I think how lucky sneakers are
They have no heart, nothing to get broken

Written by: ~ Jacki Campbell