Let Me Go Mom

[Verse 1]
Let me go
Mom
To play war
He tugged at her sleeve in the hall
Me and the boys will just pretend
It’s not real
It’s not real at all
Please
Mom
I beg you
Let me go
Or they’ll point and call me afraid
You know I’m brave
I only wish
That I could be a little older today

[Chorus]
Let me go
Mom
I’m not scared
It’s just a game out in the yard
Sticks for rifles
Laughter loud
Nothing sharp can hit my heart
You kissed his hair
Said
Good luck
Son
(come back when the streetlights glow)
You whispered
Better to play hide-and-seek
But still you smiled and let him go

[Verse 2]
He ran ahead to the dusty swings
Climbed the mound
Claimed the hill
Paper badges
Cardboard shields
Playing hero
Chasing thrill
Years flew fast like startled birds
Circumstance changed the frame
Plastic guns and wooden swords
Left behind
Just kids’ old games

[Bridge]
Now he walks out in heavy boots
Face grown hard in the window glass
Same small street
Same tired gate
But the boy is gone
The years have passed
You see his back and taste that day
Every word you can’t redraw
Let me go
Mom
I’m not scared
Echoes down the corridor

[Chorus]
Let me go
Mom
I’m not scared
It’s just a game
I’ll be alright
But this field is far from home
And there’s no playground in sight
You close your eyes
You hear his laugh
From summers you still hold
You’d trade the world for hide-and-seek
For one more chance to say don’t go

[Outro]
You stand alone by the open door
Whisper
Come home
My little boy
The toys lie still in a dusty box
Silent witnesses to joy