Last Letter to a Son

I was on a plane flying to GayRomLit when a melody lodged itself in my brain. Lyrics came so hard and fast that I had to write them down before my head exploded. With nothing but a boarding pass to write on, I scrawled out this song in about eight minutes, and did very little touching up after the original creation. Something nearly unheard of for me.

October 19 is Spirit Day, when many folks wear purple to show their stand against bullying, show support for GLBT youth, and pay tribute to those young folks who, due to bullying, ended their lives. This is the story of a mother who never had the chance to show her support, because she didn't find out her son was gay until too late.

Last Letter to a Son

Why? Why couldn’t you tell me?

I love you anyway,

No matter what others say.

Why? Why’d you feel so all alone?

I keep thinking that you’ll just come home,

Don’t leave me this way.

You left your bed unmade,

Like you’d be coming back today,

A shirt is lying on the floor,

That you won’t wear no more.

I found a letter you wrote,

To someone that I didn’t know,

You told him that you love him so,

Until the end of time.

Why? Why couldn’t you tell me?

I love you anyway,

No matter what others say.

Why? Why’d you feel so all alone?

I keep thinking that you’ll just come home,

Don’t leave me this way.

When I found your phone,

Ugly words from your so-called friends,

The truth hit home,

Your pain had reached an end.

A kid who grew up next door,

Said you shouldn’t live no more,

Never listened to him before,

Why’d you do so now?

Why? Why couldn’t you tell me?

I love you anyway,

No matter what others say.

Why? Why’d you feel so all alone?

I keep thinking that you’ll just come home,

Don’t leave me this way.

Met the boy who wears your ring,

Such a sad and lonely thing,

I'd have approved of him,

And I do so now.

We had ourselves a good long cry,

Then we both kissed you goodbye,

You took your life ‘cause they called you wrong,

But, Baby, those folks lied.

And now you’re gone,

Sometimes I can't go on,

The other one you left alone,

Says, “Live and so will I.”

Why? Why couldn’t you tell me?

I love you anyway,

No matter what others say.

Why? Why’d you feel so all alone?

I keep thinking that you’ll just come home,

Don’t leave me this way.