Slow Down

I just wanted to just take a minute to
Share a story with yall
While back I was in my car, driving

I was doing maybe 35 on a side street
Nothing crazy, but this lady
Jumps out with her hands waving
Acting like she's panicked and in grave danger
What's up with the drama
Cut the citizen cop act
This ain't major
I'm barely over the speed limit
But can read her lips she's saying go slower
Instead I press the gas pedal lower
Rev the engine, go a little faster
As I roll my eyes at her
Driving by giving a cold shoulder
I check the rearview to admire my work
And she's just standing there
Looking tired and hurt
She's all acting like I am the jerk
Man I'm just driving to work
Don't need no guilt trip
From your righteous ass
Right there on the curb
There's a lesson learned
Maybe mind your own business next time
If you cross that line you're getting burned
I turned the corner, cruising away
But to this day it still annoys me
Thinking who is she to say

Slow down, slow down
Slow down, slow down slow down

So, a few nights later, I had this dream
And it was so vivid, so real
It was, maybe like

Three years prior
Same quiet street
There's a lady on the lawn
It's the same one I'd just seen
But this time she ain't a lone
And she's smiling
While playing a game with her daughter
Looks like hide and seek
She's adorable, maybe four years old
Giant green eyes filled with wonder
Under golden curls
For this girl, not a care in the world
She's doing barrel rolls in the grass
Mom's turn, where to go?
Begins wandering, searching for a hiding spot
Mom doesn't notice til she's crossing the sidewalk
Oh my god!
She's screaming but the words
All get caught up in her throat and then emerge
Much too soft to be heard
Here comes a car, unseen from afar
As she's running cross the boulevard
Dashing past that double-parked
Vehicle, mother cries out, sweetie no!
But it's too late, the sound of screeching brakes
And the unthinkable

Slow down, slow down
Slow down, slow down slow down
You never know how
Someone else's story differs from yours
Think of that before your assumptions form
And just slow down, slow down slow down

Distracted driver
That's the label they attached to describe him
And at this time it's accurate because he's absent-minded
At the station trying to give a statement
But his brain keeps playing back rewinding
What took place he's agonizing
And at this moment, I noticed this man was
About the same age as I am now
You'll find no hate inside him
It was all a mistake, speeding ever so slightly
And looked away from the road for a moment
That's all it takes
And all this plays
In my head as a vision
I cannot concentrate
Gotta believe there's a reason I'm reliving
All this pain, it's too much to tolerate
I know now I was wrong it aches
All night long I ponder and I contemplate
The following day, I go and drove back all the way
To that same neighborhood
This time with more caution displayed
Make my way to that old spot on the street
And lay a bouquet of flowers
Along with a note of apology

Slow down, slow down
Slow down, slow down slow down
You never know how
Someone else's story differs from yours
Think of that before your assumptions form
And just slow down, slow down slow down