Long Line

Maurice never made it through high school Found a job before he turned sixteen Grew up known to cause some local trouble In a town where all the hard days fall between Coming from a long line of drinkers Now he's ending every day in a Collins glass Drowning in a tavern south on Main Street He says, "every holiday has one less laugh" Sunday morning may work for some of us If you got all the answers You're someone he won't trust He'll burn down this whole town when he's afraid He may find someone to love They'll find a part of him to hate All his closest friends have started passing So he bellies up and orders at last call The bars pour out the streets are drained and cold Blue lights run for crimes nobody is told He stumbles home where Lily stayed up waiting Gentle questions start with "where you been?" Somewhere deep inside she sees the darkness But her love holds out and prays for him again Sunday morning may work for some of us Lily found all of her answers In a faith he can't trust Someday he'll get straight but he's afraid When you find someone to love They'll find a part of you to hate