Passing By
[E.Maguire]

Passing by I caught the eye
Of the child on a back street corner
Waiting for her ride
Her fate sealed in stiletto heels
By a pimp beside her closing deals
I saw the look in her eye

Passing by I caught the eye
Of a stranger on the escalator
Waiting for his ride
A briefcase for a ball and chain
In a daily rat race for the train
I saw the look in his eye, and it cried

I’ve been around too long
I’ve seen too much wrong
I’ve had it up to here
I’ve had it down the years
And I’m not that tough
I think I’ve had enough

Passing by I caught the eye
Of the woman at the check-out counter
Waiting for her ride
Name-tagged with a smile that sagged
Like the shopping in the plastic bags
I saw the look in her eye, and it cried

I’ve been around too long
I’ve seen too much wrong
I’ve had it up to here
I’ve had it down the years
And I’m not that tough
No I’m not that tough
I’m not that tough
I think I’ve had enough