I listen quietly the whole way

As you give your final pleas

Desperation for my success

Brings you to your knees

Every bit of wisdom

You wish someone had given you

You hand the universe to me

And I’m tethered in everything I do

I nod my head, compliant

Just as I know I should

Convincing you I’d never do those things

But in my heart I knew I would

And I didn’t realize then

But that final drive to school

Was the last time we would be this way

The last time I would be your fool

Because when something’s all you know

You think that’s how things are

But my horizons would open up

And they would take me far

I wish I could give a whisper

To the child in that seat

And tell her to hang on

As she was held against the heat

For the cycle doesn’t break against

The softness of the truth

It’s a violent hurdle toward the flame

That incinerates ignorance of youth

So let those miles roll on by

Don’t second guess yourself

For there is freedom just ahead

And that far surpasses wealth