Hold my hand I say
And watch me fly
You squeeze tight and I squeeze back
A secret code only we can know
A secret bond between a father and a child

Fast forward eight years with tears in our eyes
We hug always saying goodbye
As I wave through an open window
You stare blankly back out of a white wash hospital window
Vodka coming off your breath

Fast forward three clean years and about eight more
As the fresh turned ground engulfs me
Swallowing me whole
I stare at a glimmering piece of wood
Hitting against the sun
I reach in tears free flowing down my face
From another time, another place
You look up and smile wide

Baby you say
This isn’t the last goodbye