Empty Desk

28 plays·1 likes·3:17
Prompt / Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You laughed in the hallway
Every time he walked by
Called him every name you could dream up
Never once asked him why
You said it was “just kidding”
He should “learn how to take a joke”
You never saw the way his hands
Shook when you spoke
[Chorus]
You think you’re cool, cuttin’ down the weak
Just havin’ fun, just blowin’ off steam
’Til his chair sits there, pushed in neat
That empty desk where his boots used to beat
Late one night he finally slipped away
From the pain you carved in him day after day
You think you’re tough when you watch him break
But you don’t feel brave at his wake
[Verse 2]
His mama brought cupcakes
On his birthday last fall
You snickered in the corner
While she smiled at you all
He went home a little quieter
Started sleeping in his clothes
He wrote “I’m sorry” in a letter
You’ll never wanna read those
[Chorus]
You think you’re cool, cuttin’ down the weak
Just havin’ fun, just blowin’ off steam
’Til his chair sits there, pushed in neat
That empty desk where his boots used to beat
Late one night he finally slipped away
From the pain you carved in him day after day
You think you’re tough when you watch him break
But you don’t feel brave at his wake
[Bridge]
Now the locker door stays open
Books still on the floor
You walk by a little faster
Can’t meet your own reflection anymore
’Cause every time you close your eyes
You hear his quiet voice
“I’d have stayed another sunrise
If you’d given me a choice”
[Chorus]
You think you’re cool, cuttin’ down the weak
Just havin’ fun, just blowin’ off steam
’Til his chair sits there, pushed in neat
That empty desk where his boots used to beat
Late one night he finally slipped away
From the pain you carved in him day after day
You think you’re tough when you watch him break
But it’s hard to be proud
When it’s you at the grave
[Outro]
Just words, you said, just “playin’ around”
Now his name’s carved deep in the cold, hard ground