Staggering

It's the weight
Of the new-fallen snow
Combined with the handful of leaves that refused to let go
And it sends the branch bending
Low to the ground
There's a shift and a snap and the tree has less to carry now
I can't decide if I'm the tree or the branch
I can't decide if you're the snow or the leaves

It's staggering, isn't it
All the ways we can fall apart
It's staggering, isn't it
How much we expect of the human heart
It's staggering, isn't it I get tired just thinking about
The relentless, the never-quit
The steady-beat beat of it

It's the sting
The first whip of winter wind
Brings tears to your eyes
Numb to your lips
And your lungs don't want to take in such
Cold air
You knew it was coming
But you're never quite prepared
I can't decide if I'm the chill or the skin
I can't decide if I'm the shock or the
Thaw to come

It's staggering, isn't it
All the ways we can fall apart
It's staggering, isn't it
How much we expect of the human heart
It's staggering, isn't it I get tired just thinking about
The relentless, the never-quit
The steady-beat beat of it

And we say things like - yeah yeah - I know you're bleeding but
I need you to give me
Just a little bit more and
Yeah yeah I'm sure that hurt but
It can't be worse than what you've handled before and
Yeah yeah
I see what you're seeing believe me
Sometimes I want to
Shut it all down, too
Then once in a while a spring breeze passes through
That momentary ease
That sweetness
Is also true

It's staggering, isn't it
All the ways we can fall apart
It's staggering, isn't it
How much we expect of the human heart
It's staggering, isn't it I get tired just thinking about
The relentless, the never-quit
The steady-beat beat of it
Magnificent, really
It's staggering
Isn't it?