What I Live For

Last night my dad flew in from Maine on American Airlines

He looks the same– but I heard a worry–a worry in his voice

"Every time I come here, you gotta new lame job, a strung-out girlfriend

Where is your hope, what is your dream–I want to understand."

I said: "This is what I live for

This is what I live for

I know you can't see anything yet

But I'm trying to find the core

Of what I live for."

"Come back soon– your family is dying to see you

I want to help but I'm beginning to hate you

If I'd behaved this way my dad woulda cracked me in two

"I feel you slipping away

I feel you slipping away

I know the talk, I know the smells

The druggy walk, the druggy hell

You're slipping away."

"Dad I'll be fine, I'm trying hard, trying hard to find

A way to live, a way to love–I know I'm a little bit fucked up

"This is what I live for

This is what I live for

I know you can't see anything yet

But I'm trying to find the core

Of what I live for."