Mal Blum
You Should Be Here
I went to your house
I stood on your porch
I looked in your window and
I knocked on your door
I walked through your hallway
Like I’d been there before
I ran into your brother
Writing a book report
And I am not family
But I sat at the table
And I tried to answer
What I was not able
Like, where did you go, dear?
Why’d you go there?
Are you out playing your twelve string
With no strings and no one to hear?
And who do you know now?
Has it been a year?
These are the things I would ask you if only you could be here
You should be here.
I went to your job
I picked up your paycheck
I thought I might cash it
I thought you would like that
I bought some cigarettes
The brand you liked best
I turned off all the lights
I left them on your desk
Because you were not wealthy
But you had nothing to lose
And I thought that maybe
I’d pretend to be you
But where did you go, dear?
Why’d you go there
Are you out playing your twelve string
With no strings and no one to hear?
And who do you know now?
Has it been a year?
What could I do to convince you that
Maybe you should be here?
Oh, you should be here.
I went to your house
I stood on your porch
I looked in your window and
I knocked on your door
I walked through your hallway
Like I'd been there before
Ran into your brother writing a book report
Where did you go, dear?
Why'd you go there?
Are you out playing your twelve string
With no strings and no one to hear?
And who do you know now?
Has it been a year?
These are the things I would ask you if only you could be here.
Oh, you should be here.