My father worked like some people love
every job he did was do or die
even if it hurt or was impossible
a man DOES, a man doesn't try

There's a fine line
between greatness and desperation
a fine line

we never lived in the same town
he'd moved on, mother scared him away
she'd put me on a bus for hours to see him
and I'd cry all the way

There's a fine line
between greatness and desperation
a fine line

I remember one time he took me hunting
teach me how to shoot, hold a shotgun in my hands
I wound up on the ground, the recoil too strong
I was a child, but he didn't understand

There's a fine line
between greatness and desperation
a fine line

when he entered the room, he made sure you knew it
drinks for the house every time
he never got elected because of his record
but he was the mayor of the bar for a while

five foot eight but always seemed bigger
until I saw him in that hospital bed
pale and drawn and all but disappearing
stark pillow halos around his head

There's a fine line
between greatness and desperation
a fine line

Posted Tuesday, February 21st 2017