Birthday Prayer

I have not been honest with myself

Not with you, nor with anyone else

I haven't had respect for time

I can't bind the wind, I can't catch the sand

But I'm learning to write with my left hand

And one day, I'll learn the art of dying

Please God, take care of me,

Enter me so I may be free

Help me breathe in slowly, without fear

Why can't I accept the truth

Even I will lose my youth

I'd better learn this lesson while I'm here

I hear the ghost of my beloved dog

Crackling leaves as we walk through the fog

Memories turn to dreams year after year

Seems like lifetimes ago,

And one day, so will this moment now

A distance so far and yet so near

Please God, take care of me,

Enter me so I may be free

Help me breathe in slowly, without fear

Why can't I accept the truth

That even I will lose my youth

I'd better learn this lesson while I'm here

I've been a temperamental loner

And a superstitious stoner

I have run from the law just to write a song

Trying to see without my glasses

As the world outside my window passes

Why do I struggle just to get along

Please God, take care of me,

Enter me so I may be free

Help me breathe in slowly, without fear

Why can't I accept the truth

Even I will lose my youth

I'd better learn this lesson while I'm here