Lyrics The Shortest Story - Harry Chapin

The Shortest Story

I am born today, the sun burns its promise in my eyes;
Mama strikes me and I draw a breath and cry
Above me a cloud softly tumbles through the sky;
I am glad to be alive
It is my seventh day, I taste the hunger and I cry;
My brother and sister cling to Mama’s side
She squeezes her breast, but it has nothing to provide;
Someone weeps, I fall asleep
It is twenty days today, Mama does not hold me anymore;
I open my mouth but I am too weak to cry
Above me a bird slowly crawls across the sky;
Why is there nothing now to do but die?