I Should Have Called

Lyrics:

© Grathy
I Should Have Called
Vocals and lyrics by Mary McGrath
Copyright 4/13/25-All rights reserved

I didn\'t call her
and now she\'s gone.
I reached out
with a text.

A text doesn’t really count.
I should\'ve dialed instead.

We all swirl
inside our problems,
pinballs bouncing
back and forth,
not really going anywhere,
dismissing those
who are over there,

Forgotten souls
who shuffle alone,
inside the echoes
of their blunted history,
mumbling to themselves
as their only company.

Things that once
came easily for them,
now a forgotten dream
alone, they pace the halls,
talking to the walls
hoping someone might listen.

Someone, anyone
who might remember
who they used to be
before age had its way,

Hardening their smiles
hardening their bones
hardening their hearts.

And so, we don’t call.

Maybe tomorrow,
we say to ourselves.
I\'ve got too much to do today,
they can wait,
they\'re at home,
not going anywhere,
so what if they’re alone?

I\'m busy with here and there
I\'ve got no time to spare.

So we forget to call,
Thoughts consumed
by our urban sprawl.

After all,
death might be contagious
we might catch it if we call.

Afraid to be courageous
we’re too busy,
we say,
at least it didn\'t happen to me
At least not today.

Why didn’t I simply call?