Innocence

The little boy runs through the fields
playing games like hide and seek
he runs around so innocent
but paths are made, don't peek

you'll be a man, his father says
be strong, be brave, provide
and when your country calls on you
you'll go along the ride

to far away places, you'll see some things
but don't you shield your eyes
you'll lose your friends to fight a war
that's mostly built on lies

then you'll go home, God only knows
that empty feeling, that pain
there's not a sun for you, oh no
there's clouds and then there's rain

You blankly stare at your wife and kids
they'll never know your hurt
just yearning for that solemn day
that you'll be in the dirt

But that's the calling of a man
and questions they don't raise
and manly men they never cry
they take it to their graves

So go now son
go play your games, the things I've said forget
your innocence remains
til society collects its debt