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Just One Tab

by Lisa Shaffer




Crowd gathered 'round a school bus 

3rd Street and Elm 

The neighbor man said, "Officer 

I caught it all on film" 

I watched my little grandson 

Come so close to death 

By that man standin' right there 

With liquor on his breath 


Another little boy wasn't so lucky 

He was lyin' there in the street 

His little lifeless body 

Beneath the yellow sheet 
	 
While the young man was on the sidewalk 

Goin' through a sobriety check 

The crowd was turnin into a lynch mob 

When he raised up his hands and said



I only had just one 

I swear that's the truth 

That kid came outta nowhere 
			  
There was nothing I could do 
		  
I couldn't swerve I couldn't stop 
		
Now here I am asking God
	   
What have I done? 
	      		
I only had just one 


A young momma burst through the crowd 

And pulled back that yellow sheet 
			      
Collapsed and started shakin' uncontrollably 
	 
Searched until she found that young man 

With her shattered eyes 

Then tore a hole into his soul

As she screamed and cried


I only had just one

And you took him away 

I hope this is something 
		
You relive everyday 
		      
You coulda swerved and you coulda stopped 
		   
But you didn't now look my God
	   		
What have you done? 
	   		  
I only had just one 
			
I only had just one