AN EYE OPENER ABOUT AGING

WE ALL DID A LOT OF STUPID THINGS WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP. THIS SONG DEPICTS THE AWAKENING OF THE SUBJECT AS HE WITNESSES WHAT HE DID AS A CHILD.

THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. I HAD BEEN STRUGGLING WITH ANOTHER SONG FOR 2 WEEKS, AND HAD JUST FINISHED IT. "GRIM REMINDER" THEN MADE IT'S PRESENCE KNOWN.

GRIM REMINDER

I LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW AND OUT THERE IN THE COLD
I SEE A WEAK AND FEEBLE MAN HOBBLE DOWN THE ROAD.
SOME KIDS ARE RIGHT BEHIND HIM…THROWING STICKS AND POKING FUN
IT REMINDS ME OF MY YOUNGER DAYS…AND SOME STUPID THINGS I’VE DONE.

HE KEEPS A SLOW AND STEADY PACE… LEANING ON HIS CANE.
HAS A PROUD LOOK ON HIS FACE…BUT I CAN SEE THE PAIN.
AND AFTER YEARS OF ME NOT CARING…I BEGAN TO REALIZE
THE STORY THAT HE’S SHARING… IS WRITTEN IN HIS EYES.

HE FOUGHT FOR HIS COUNTRY IN THE 2ND WORLD WAR.
LOST HIS WIFE AND A BABY TO A STORM IN ’54.
THOUGH HE NEVER REMARRIED…HE PREFERS TO LIVE ALONE.
HE HOBBLES PAST MY HOUSE EACH DAY…JUST TO KNEEL AT THEIR STONE.

A BEAT UP BUICK WAGON…BRINGS THE MAN HIS MEALS.
THEY SHAKE HIS HAND AND PAT HIS BACK…AND ASK HIM HOW HE FEELS.
HE IS A GRIM REMINDER…A WAKE UP CALL TO ME.
AND THOSE INSIDE THE WINDOW…THERE’S MORE THAN WHAT YOU SEE.

(repeat first verse)


©JAMES MOHR 2002