Life was so simple before I died

This guest post is by Eric Booth.

Life was so simple before i died
i was the center, i reasoned, i lied
the world was all mine; it’s all about me
don’t like it? too bad; i’m blind you see

i worked real hard at leavin’ my mark
just step on friends whenever i want
cut corners an’ cheat to make ends meet
my inside’s a mess; my outside’s so neat

life was so simple before i died
when things get tough, i’d go hide

people could learn a lot from me
arrogant an’ smug like me they should be
always lookin’ out for ol’ number one
controlin’ it all an’ gettin’ it done

life was so simple before i died
each time i get caught, i just lied
one selfish world steeped in sin
an’ i was the best; determined to win

so selfish an’ mean like everyone else
i ran from the truth to distance myself
old navy, gap, abercrombie & fitch
dad’s skipped town and mom’s a bitch

life was so simple before i died
watch tv while the whole world cried

acid an’ pot; extasy an’ coke;
what did it matter? life’s a big joke;
turn up the music; drown out the pain
my world was so perfectly lost insane

i’ve gotta lose weight; i’ve gotta have more
locked in my cell i stare at the door
no one would take me; no one would care;
when they might notice, its only to stare

mom doesn’t hear me; dad’s never here
party some more; hide all the tears
sex was the answer; the question was dumb.
just tryin’ to feel; i settled for numb

raised in the dark; longing for light
scared an’ confused; too tired to fight.
spinning around i started to fall
pretend to look happy; go to the mall

life was so simple before i died
round-n-around this carousel ride

annoyed i saw You would not pass me by
like a rock You stood there by my side
so i looked an’ saw You hangin’ up there
then i broke my own rules…i started to care.

i wanted to turn an’ hide from Your eyes
frozen in time; Love crucified
Your words are now etched inside on my heart
i hate my past love; i’d played sin’s good part

life was so simple before i died
now You are my center; arms spread wide

i wanted my sin and my Savior too
i wanted it all; then i looked at You
like the addict i crave just one more hit
in agony You scream; in church i sit

life was so simple before i died
i hung my head an’ started to cry

addicted aversion to all things bad
what makes You bleed now makes me sad.
i called my sin my love, my fun
now it has lost; in my place, You’ve won

staring nowhere at night wide awake
so much You ask, all for Christ’s sake
please take out this trash i once loved
i’m reachin’ for You; i’m seeking the dove

life was so simple before i died
my Savior, my Friend; my Love, my Guide

About Eric Booth
Eric lives in Washingon, D.C. His blog is Life Was So Simple Before I Died. We’ve previously shared Eric’s poem “You know how sometimes.”