Pencil Marks

First grade after school

My dad came to my bedroom

Said "Hurry son, you're gonna miss the bus. Get dressed and brush your teeth."

Then he stopped me down the hall

Said "You're way too young to be so tall"

And I felt invincible, as cool as cool could be

He put up against the door right before I left

And drew a pencil line just above my head

And that mark on the door

Is just higher than the one before

Wasn't much but I knew then

Someday I'd be big like my dad

'Cause growing up is huge

From a kid's point of view

I'd stand up straight to see how far apart

He drew those pencil marks

High school was good to me

Shot up like a rocket

Suddenly my world had changed

I was seeing things a little different than before

Not a boy not quite a man

Just old enough for my Uncle Sam

My dad helped me pack my duffle bag

Then he walked me to the door

He said I'm proud of what you're doing

Just know that while you're gone

I'll be counting down the days 'til you come home

With marks on the door

From the ceiling down to the floor

Marked up wood to anyone else

But not to me and my dad

'Cause every day is huge

When someone back home is missing you

I'll soon be coming home and it all starts

With these last few pencil marks

I'm all grown up now with a son of my own

Yeah he's Grandpa's little man

Spitting image of his dad

And on his tippy toes he stands in front of me

For a mark on the door

That's barely three feet from the floor

Isn't much but I know now

Someday he'll be big like his dad

For me that is huge

From this man's point of view

Life goes on as one great work of art

With these brand new pencil marks

With my brand new pencil marks