Apologia Pro Vita Sua

Here is a song to a world that never sang to me
A rhyme in a rhythm that's never been quite set free
Born in the City; a dreamer alive
Raised by my family to fight and strive
Tripped through the alleys; watched the walls fall
Pulled on my bootstraps; answered the call
Run in the good race at warp-factor speed
Now, looking back, I can't see the need

Forceps forced me, fighting, from the safest home I'll find
Introduced me to this life with a whack on my behind
Stuck me in a warmer till I screamed out loud in rage
Taught me how to get my way at a very early age

Teachers said that I was bright but I talked too much in class
Said I had potential and my headstrongness would pass
Momma said is was a sin to waste all that I had
Then indoctrinated me into the good and bad

Married her at twenty-one. She was a pretty thing
Didn't like to hear it, but she really made me sing
Tried pretending we were one but it opened up a space
Fifteen years; two kids by, it blew up in my face

Found myself at thirty-seven out there on my own
Felt I should be reapin' after all that I had sown
Far too soon for quitting but I felt I'd done it all
Phone kept right on ringing but I didn't want the call

Here is a song to a world that never sang to me
A rhyme in a rhythm that's never been quite set free
Born in the City; a dreamer alive
Raised by my family to fight and strive
Tripped through the alleys; watched the walls fall
Pulled on my bootstraps; answered the call
Run in the good race at warp-factor speed
Now, looking back, I can't see the need