Letter to Amy

Amy
don't be like your dad
thank God, he wasn't around much then

Living in a pick up truck
Brains shattered from too much stuff
You're better than the people you came up with

Amy
don't be like your mom
Too many days far gone in a needle's eye

Living in a double-wide
too many men had seen inside
You're better than the people you came up with

I was told not to call you by your name, babe
I was told things were better off this way, babe
but when I saw what they did to you, babe
My heart shuddered in a distant dawn

Amy
You've got family around you
When you call for a helping hand

But while they love you
they may not always be there for you
You gotta cut the ties to people you came up with

Amy
You've got that baby hanging with you
the son who is everyone's joy

But your foundation's crumbling
the extended family's struggling
You gotta cut the ties to people you came up with

I was told not to call you by your name, babe
I was told things were better off this way, babe
but when I saw what they did in your name, babe
My heart shuddered in a distant dawn

You're scared of the illusion
of being alone in the world
Noone ever questions who you are

But I see the chinks
underneath the surface
You're crying for a wish from a star

Amy
The world is calling
It's time for you to give an answer

Your son would like it better too
If you (and I know you) got some ambition to
leave behind the people you came up with

I was told not to call you by your name, babe
I was told things were better off this way, babe
but when you reach out to me again, babe
My heart will swell in a distant dawn

© Helen Sventitsky-Rother; Rights reserved via Creative Commons