Harry Chapin
The Shortest Story
[Verse 1]
I am born today
The sun burns a promise in my eyes
Mama strikes me and I draw a breath and cry
Above me a cloud softly tumbles through the sky
I am glad to be alive

[Verse 2]
It is my seventh day
I taste the hunger and I cry
My brother and sister cling to Mama's side
She squeezes her breast, but it has nothing to provide
Someone weeps, I fall asleep

[Verse 3]
It is twenty days today
Mama does not hold me any more
I open my mouth but I am too weak to cry
Above me a bird slowly crawls across the sky
Why is there nothing now to do but die?