Lyrics

CRUMBS
© R. Yeardley

He comes home, slams the door,
like a thousand times before
His wife?s hello he doesn?t hear,
he?s only glad the kids aren?t near
They?re upstairs hiding in their rooms,
escaping into their cartoons
He?s not one to be around.
Quiet now, not a sound.
An hour ago, a different stance,
pressing flesh, the corporate dance.
Can they tell that it?s a trial
to maintain this hollow smile?
There are those who aren?t beguiled.
The family knows what?s behind the smile.

Raised on myths of man?s control,
and dreams of power, which few can hold
This success he cannot find,
still the years upon him grind.
Control is lost, he must bend and fold
to fit into the corporate mold.
Not everyone gets the cream
on the dark side of the American dream.
Nightmares are in there too,
and those that shouldn?t suffer are the ones that do.
To his tormentors he dare not frown,
but his family feels the wrath come down.
It surrounds them all the while,
The family knows what?s behind the smile.

They don?t understand the reality to be a success.
They are weak.
To get ahead you must be tough,
but even this may not be enough.
Shirt and tie, suit neatly pressed,
without a smile you?re not fully dressed.
What caring he has goes in work?s direction,
what?s left are crumbs of affection.
Past the door he wears a frown,
does he realize how things go ?round.
His kids cower, just as he was ground.
Does he know what he?s passing down?
His legacy will not be mild.
The family knows what?s behind the smile.