Playing For Keeps

All the lessons I learned in life,
That made the man you met,
Got left out in the wilderness,
How quickly I'd forget,

My simple traits of tact and care,
Which made you fond of me,
For painful words and hurtful acts,
And fights and jealousy.

I took the joyous times we spent,
For granted far too much,
Assuming that I'd always be,
Close to your tender touch.

But I've learned for each and every cage,
There's someone that holds a key,
And now you've let yourself out and flown away,
So that someone wasn't me.

I stopped seeing that soul that shines so bright,
Around your great big heart,
Until you went and said goodbye,
On the day that we would part.

And like a new born who's eyes were blurred,
But the film has cleared away,
I see everything I want from life,
And that I've thrown away.

So now I see it all to clear,
And wish to change my ways,
For the space that's left within my heart,
I simply can't replace.

And I want you to know, just as I do,
That talk is only cheap,
But just like you if we get back together,
Be sure I'm playing for keeps.