Brace Yourself

You've got a sign made with markers in twenty different colors
Into this beautiful sign you put sweat, heart, and soul
But there across the street, stands something that might be more powerful
A red hexagon on a sturdy gray pole

The cars, they slow
You want to know

Which sign are they looking at?
Which sign are they pausing for?
You're trying so hard out here
Should you be doing more?

Which sign are they looking at?
Which sign are they pausing for?
You're trying so hard out here
Don't deserve to be ignored

You try to pour out a few more ice cubes
From the pitcher to the plastic red cups you brought out
Most of them scatter to the sidewalk below
And you're left there, filled with regret and self-doubt

Rising hope, sinking heart
You've only made 85 cents, since the start

Which sign are they looking at?
Which sign are they pausing for?
You're trying so hard out here
Should you be doing more?

Which sign are they looking at?
Which sign are they pausing for?
You're trying so hard out here
Don't deserve to be ignored

Your beautiful sign, keeps coming unstuck
It just isn't fair to have such bad luck
When you return with more tape, it's long gone
Curse the wind, and the cars, and the sun, and the lawn

You don't know who's melting faster
The ice cubes or you
You have something in common with the sky
Because both are so blue

More cars passing by, you wonder
Why, you wonder why, you wonder

Which sign are they looking at?
Which sign are they pausing for?
You're trying so hard out here
Should you be doing more?

Which sign are they looking at?
Which sign are they pausing for?
You're trying so hard out here
Don't deserve to be ignored

A woman on a bike comes to a full stop right in front of you
She's holding the sign, the one that had strayed
She smiles and returns the art to the artist

You brace yourself to be betrayed
Then you ask if she'd like lemonade