1st Place | “I Never Did My Best”

#1
“I Never Did My Best”
Written by Ryan Tanner
Salt Lake City, Utah
www.sonicbids.com/RyanTanner

All the neon lights they shine
Lighting up Ed’s Grocery sign
Just up the street from your place
Your parents built this town
The smell of blood and steel
Still soaks the ground
And it’s been much too long
Since I have seen your face

If I could find some shelter
From this bitter cold
Maybe lay my weary head to rest
These lines are deeper
And I fear I am growing old
With you I never did my best

The distance of regret
Left me broken, bruised, soaking wet
Waiting all night outside your door
Oh the seasons of my shame
You were always the easy one to blame
and I left you crying on the kitchen floor

If I could find some shelter
From this bitter cold
Maybe lay my weary head to rest
These lines are deeper
And I fear I am growing old
With you I never did my best

Outside there are rows and rows
of beat up cars
and the streets are lined with
burned out stars
You still wear the bracelet your
mother gave you when she died.
If I was twice the man
I would still be no good
I never learned to love you
like I should …

I just came home to say goodbye
I never thought to say goodbye