Running for the Rain

When I found you, you were broken

All your cares thrown out to sea.

And I thought, perhaps I’d save you

From the man you meant to be.

In the moment, all things shaken,

You were filling in your grave.

Longing for someone to take in

All the fears that you had braved

You left your life in shambles

While praying you would fade.

It took so long to lead you

To the path that we had paved.

Now you’re free

Live again

Stop your running for the rain.

And you’ll see,

Breathe it in.

You have so much more to gain

Than you ever would by dying on your own.

Put down your selfish pride and come back home.

But I never thought I’d need you,

Never thought you’d pull me in.

And somehow I found myself in love

With the man you had within.

You would tell me that you loved me,

Without warning, pull away,

And you’d leave me trailing after

Hoping someday you would stay.

You were angry, you were jaded,

And determined not to change;

For the only things that scared you

Were the arms of someone strange.

Now you’re free

Live again

Stop your running for the rain.

And you’ll see,

Breathe it in.

You have so much more to gain

Than you ever would by dying on your own.

Put down your selfish pride and come back home.

And I knew I’d lose before we’d start,

But I knew that you could be

The man I know you are

And I knew that you’d walk free.

Drop your laden chains and come with me.

When I found you, you were broken

All your cares thrown out to sea

But no one on earth could keep you

From the man you’ve come to be.

And I Watched

And I watched.

And as I watched, you took my hand.

You walked me down the street

And you told me. You said,

Look, over there.

Do you know what that means?

And I’d listen to you,

Then I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched you would backflip

And you’d bounce and you’d spring

And you told me. You said,

Look, over here.

Do you know how to do this?

And you’d teach me just how,

Then I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched you would walk

Out the door, half past midnight

And you’d leave me. You said,

Go back to sleep.

Can you keep a secret?

And you’d tell me you loved him

Then I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched, you made mistakes

When I’d catch you you’d look at me,

And you told me. You said

Don’t tell mom.

I’d say, do I ever?

And you’d sigh with relief.

Like you did.

And I watched.

And as I watched, you left home.

You got married and all moved away.

And you told me. You said,

We’ll be happy.

Will you miss me?

And I told you I would.

Then I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched, your life changed.

No more trampolines or campouts.

And you forgot me. You said,

People grow up.

Don’t you think so?

And I think back so far,

And I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched things turned hard

You hit so many speed bumps.

And you told me. You said,

Don’t do what I did.

What did I do wrong?

And I counted them up

And I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched, you came home.

After too much, too long

And you told me. You said

All of the things I’d been missing.

Do you know why?

Because I was the listener, secret-keeper,

And I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched I grew older

But I didn’t feel like I changed.

And you told me. You said,

You’re being unreasonable.

Can’t you see that you’re wrong?

So I decided to make my own way.

Then I did.

And I watched.

And as I watched myself grow

I understood why I had always felt lonely.

Because you told me. You said,

Life must be lived this way.

But see how I’m surviving anyway?

I have never regretted a thing

That I did.

Because I watched.

And when I watched, I watched you.

And as you filled your life with sorrows,

I decided I wouldn’t be like you.

I wouldn’t do what you told me when you said

I should follow examples.

Do you know what I found instead?

I was happier to be myself.

Then I was.

Because I watched.