Send me away with my duffel and my papers
Got an apple saved for later cause, Momma, you say
It’s a day by train there

Send me away with my ball cap and my sneakers
With my jeans and holey t-shirts
With my flooded reddened features

You told me you’re hard up, Momma
Said the state’s gonna take me if I ain’t a good baby
You told me to clean up, Momma
This house ain’t about to get broke over a bruise and a dirty living room

Send me to Memphis, hundred dollars for your sister and a letter
“I swear it ain’t my choice, they want the boy, my check don’t meet his needs
He got a cripple leg, he’s just thirteen, don’t make me beg,
Don’t put me on my knees. Oh Jesus please. Oh Jesus please.

You told me to buck up baby
Said it ain’t really leaving ‘cause you’ll come for me later
You told me it’s tough for a lady like you
If you could choose I’d be staying. If that’s true you wouldn’t have to say it

I read your letter. I take the money. I skip the train and sell the ticket
Now I gone near four years in the streets and only my only is fear turning the corner
Just to meet you face to face
And I tried to obey that day but I was having trouble playing your lame legged anchor weight
And I wouldn’t be afraid if I knew you’d see your baby’s eyes through his beard and dirty rag disguise

Now it’s me that’s hard up, Momma
If you didn’t want me
You could have said so, I would have let go
I thought we could get up, Momma
And my braced and bound knees were so weak, why couldn’t your heart keep up with me?

©2006 Nicholas Hohman