Backpack

Pencils, paper, pens and books
Eager eyes and funny looks
Sketchpad open, you’re making hooks
Going bananas is the route you took.
You carry it all in your backpack.

Oh, you’re starting out.

Flowers scattered ‘round her grave
Tear-stained cheeks in salty waves
You’d give anything to save
The piece of you that once was brave.
You tuck it away in your backpack.

Oh, you’re stumbling.

Falling out and slipping within
All akin to being in
Too close for comfort; your head spins
You yell it out, cry until you win.
You cram it away in your backpack.

Oh, you’re so stubborn.

You don’t know it yet but you’re walking on air.
Run a comb through your frizzy hair.
You start to realize that life’s not fair
Your head’s spinning with stories and you don’t even care.
You hide it away in your backpack.

Oh, you’re still such a kid.

Gaslight captains guiding you
Saying goodbye is hard to do
Riding the bus, you’re always blue
Please remember how to stay true.
You ache it away in your backpack.

Oh, “chin up, chin up ‘til it touches the moon.”

Yeah buddy, keep it cool, everyone’ll come around
You’re hot on your own trail and soon enough you will be found
It’s always been a drag, now it’s time to make a sound
Get your head out of the clouds and realize what’s on the ground.
You shove it down into your backpack.

Oh, your back’s gonna hurt.

Bittersweet year, not the first, not the last
You look around and try to understand but it’s too fast
You’re ten steps behind and get stuck in the past
While what you need’s right in front of you; don’t let it pass.
You flush it away in your backpack.

Oh, you’re growing older, not up.

Time flies so much when you’re having fun.
When the chance comes to you, take it and run
You’ll think it’s over, but you’re far from done.
And no matter your choices, your head will get spun.
You crush it away in your backpack.

Your battered, tattered backpack.
Your tired, tense and tedious backpack.
Your sagging, sad, sorrow-stricken backpack.

Kid, you should clean out your backpack.