Stronger Than The Coffee
On my way to bed last night
I caught a reflection of the face I used to be.
That fearless, penniless, adventurer
Who would never grow up to be me.
As I checked for my keys on the hook by the door
Filled and set the Mr. Coffee for morning,
I fell into nostalgia about my life then,
I was transported to Seattle without warning.
I was young and naive and had stars in my eyes.
I left home in a truck that wouldn't get me far.
I took off without money or even a prayer,
When the pawning was done I had nothing left but my guitar.
I got to the city and tried to be cool.
Wanted to fit in, wanted this to be right.
The coffee was so strong, I didn't want to be weak.
Though I didn't know where I'd be sleeping that night.
All I wanted was to be my own man,
To play music that made me well known.
It's not too much to ask when you're young
I just needed that city to throw me a bone.
Or five dollars, or a burger, or a bathroom I didn't share.
All I needed was to make it or meet someone who had.
All I needed was to prove that I wasn't just a kid.
Then I called home to beg money from my dad.
With the wisdom of age, knowing as much as I do,
About that trip back - how silent, tortured and long.
Young me may not have known, though I know it now,
Seattle didn't just make the coffee strong.
I wouldn't be me, this man I am now,
If I hadn't once been him, in my life.
I smiled as I passed by my bathroom,
Went to my bed and slept with my wife.
This morning I got up a little early,
Checked the Mr. Coffee display,
It hadn't clicked on yet, so I add an extra scoop of Folgers,
Decided to be younger and stronger today.
And now I am stronger than the coffee.
I'm grown up, but I'm also who I used to be.
Time isn't such a straight line from beginning to end,
Did I grow up to be him, or did he grow up to be me?
Mr. Napoleon