by Debra Keathley
Walk down to the courthouse; hear the lawyers and judges say
I can't think what's wrong with young people today.
Walk to the streets, hear the beat-box blare of song
Old folks walk, young stand and stare, wondering too, what's wrong.
I met Michael when they slammed the metal door.
Michael heard too much “what about me”
Not enough “what you get you pay for.”
Michael found a way to have it all.
Sheriff Peabody T. says that’s against the law.
And he had such great expectations, back when he was a kid.
Thinking he’d have a home, and a car, and a family, like Mommy and Daddy did.
He had such great expectations. Work hard all your life, that’s all you have to do.
But he worked, and he worked, and he worked and he found it wasn’t true.
I met Nancy in her home. Nancy wants to be alone.
Can’t find a job – she’s raising kids.
Starved to death is what she did.
There’s plenty of food to go around,
But Nancy, she lives on the wrong side of town.
And she had such great expectations, back when she was a kid.
Thinking she’d have a home, and a car, and a family, like Mommy and Daddy did.
She had such great expectations. Work hard all your life. That’s all you have to do.
But she worked, and she worked, and she worked, and she found it wasn’t true.
Now I met Drew, (he’s doing fine, not a worry in his head)
A bottle of Jack, a loaded gun. (You see, Drew, he’s almost dead)
Worked hard all his life, with blood sweat and tears.
Was hoping for a down payment on a place of his own for years.
But that’s ok. Don’t shed a tear.
He bought a cemetery with a corner full of quiet, peace and cheer.
And he had such great expectations…………
Great Expectations, used with permission from the author, Debra Keathley