Mr. Peanuts

Found you shaking by the oak tree

Tiny heart beat in my hands

Little eyes

All full of thunder

Didn't understand

Carried you home in my ball cap

Mama laughed

But let you stay

Built a box out in the bedroom

You stole my breath that day

Mr. Peanuts

My wild little friend

Racing 'cross the windowsill

Back again

From the red dirt yard to the old tire swing

You'd climb my shirt and I'd feel you cling

Mr. Peanuts

Guess I always knew

One of us was passing through

But I never thought I'd learn goodbye from you

You'd crack shells on the kitchen counter

Leave 'em scattered like you owned the place

Daddy'd grumble

Then start laughing

When you climbed up on his face (hey)

Taught you tricks with bits of cracker

You'd curl up inside my sleeve

Every storm

Every long night

You made it hard to leave

Mr. Peanuts

My wild little friend

Racing 'cross the windowsill

Back again

From the red dirt yard to the old tire swing

You'd climb my shirt and I'd feel you cling

Mr. Peanuts

Guess I always knew

One of us was passing through

But I never thought I'd learn goodbye from you

Came home early one gray morning

House was quiet

Too still to be true

Found you laying by the water bowl

Like you'd just slipped out of view

I held you in that worn-out ball cap

Same way I did the day we met

Whispered

"Thank you for the growing up"

Through tears I won't forget

Mr. Peanuts

My wild little friend

Racing 'cross the windowsill

Back again

Now the red dirt yard feels too big and wide

Every swing on that tire finds you by my side