I've been having those moments
Where you stop and think
"How did my life get to this point?"
1 year, 2 years, 5 years ago
You didn't think you'd be where you are today
And in that whirlwind of confusion and realization
You push back against all the regrets and second guesses
Because you realize that Today
is actually pretty great.

I know we're both broke
And I may not have all the answers
To all of your questions,
But I'll give you my two cents
From my wealth of knowledge
If you just spend a little time
And pay attention.
Who knows
I might catch your interest,
And in the end
We both might end up a little less broken.

I used to love jumping in puddles,
Not a care in the world.
I'd splash as big as I could.
Now I avoid them
Because, well, that's what grown-ups do.

I want to be deep like the ocean
     But I'm merely a puddle
I want to be deep like a canyon
     But I'm just a ditch
I want to be deep like the universe
But deep down I know
     I enjoy being silly
     More than being taken seriously

It's been two weeks
He says it's felt longer
I ask how he's been
He says he didn't think it'd be this hard
I ask what's the hardest
He says putting the phone down
When he feels like calling Mom
Forgetting she's no longer around
To answer

You black and white beasts
From the far east,
Oh, how I long to be invited to your panda feasts.
I put on my panda hat with my panda suit,
Tie my panda tie and my panda shoes.
I arrive at your gate with all my panda bling,
But you say, for me to enter, I must wear your panda ring.
That doesn’t sound so bad if that’s all I need to do
To be allowed to enter and eat bamboo with you.
I’ve waited for this moment, longed to be accepted.
But, to be honest, it’s not what I expected.
Although I am so close, and the ring looks nice,
I hesitate for a second, take a moment to think twice.
Is this what my life has come to, debating a “panda ring”?
Enslaved to every whim of the panda king,
Doing what he wants me to, just to be approved,
Once I put that ring on, it cannot be removed.
No, I will not stoop to a panda ring,
I have my own bear song to sing.
As I say goodbye, waving my bare hand,
I notice panda rings on all their bear hands.
Spotless I return, back home to the ice,
Ready to chill out and live a polarized life.

I've got a fishbowl between my shoulders
So the whole world can see inside.
They want to know what I'm thinking
And what's on my mind.
Everyone gathers around
Coming from everywhere.
But the jokes on them, you see
Because there's nothing in there.