Inútil

[KEVIN]

This isn’t happening

Inútil! Useless

Just like my father was before me

Inútil! Useless

And every day

He cut the cane

He came home late and prayed for rain

Prayed for rain

And on the days

When nothing came

My father’s face was lined with shame

He’d sit me down beside him and he’d say, ​

“My father was a farmer, ​

His father was a farmer, ​

And you will be a farmer. ”

But I told him, “Papi, I’m sorry, I’m going farther. ​

I’m getting on a plane. ​

And I am gonna change the world someday! ”

And he slapped my face

He stood there, staring at me, useless

Today my daughter’s home and I am… Useless

And as a baby she amazed me with

The things she learned each day

She used to stay on the fire escape

While all the other kids would play

And I would stand beside her and I’d say

“I’m proud to be your father

‘Cuz you work so much harder

And you are so much smarter

Than I was at your age. ”

And I always knew that she would fly away

That she was gonna change the world someday

I will not be the reason

That my family can’t succeed

I will do what it takes

They’ll have everything they need

Or all my work, all my life

Everything I’ve sacrificed will have been useless