What Sadder Thing
© 1990 by Joe Strell
From your father's hand to your mother's eye
Across the room it held you
Close to love but far from home
Where distance had its value
Remember the time you wandered
Into the field of weeds
Leaving the grass to lay down
In between the trees
What sadder thing
Than to know what you want
And know you can't have it
What sadder thing
Than to know what you want
And, no, you can't have it
Voices raised to gain control
Across the room it held you
Left without the strength to hide
Where hate becomes a refuge
Remember the time you passed
Staring at the evening sky
Until your brother found you
The only one who tried
What sadder thing
Than to know what you want
And know you can't have it
What sadder thing
Than to know what you want
And, no, you can't have it
Words that lead to broken bones
Across the room it held you
Out of the house and into the night
While the war continued
Remember the time you came to
Choking on the filtered air
Bound to rails along your bed
Your brother knelt in prayer
What sadder thing
Than to know what you want
And know you can't have it
What sadder thing
Than to know what you want
And, no, you can't have it
