At three in the morning, in a family diner
The drink machines are gentle
With my open notebook still stark white
I return home each day
Let me apologize for getting frustrated
Even though I’m supposed to be an adult
Just a few words from my open game
Dissolve into the morning
I know I’ve gotta do it
“You can do it if you try”
But I don’t think I have the knack for it
Don’t dream, after all this time
Don’t make promises you can’t see through
I’m not saying it to you
I’m shouting it to myself
Don’t run away—If you don’t run
You’ll be at the frontlines
On a packed train, a mother
Rocks her crying, screaming child
She looked like my old sister-in-arms
Who’d retired and gotten married
You were always talking about your dreams
Always thinking
That something was standing in your way
If you pursue an unchanging dream
Can you say it’ll lead to a life without regrets?
You laughed, saying
That if you have someone to protect
And live your life for their sake
There’s no way your choice could be mistaken
Is it alright to go on like this?
I wonder to myself
Even so, I’m dreaming
That this is the only place I belong
Those overtaking the ones beside them
Those going someplace far away
Everyone’s heading off
To their very own frontlines