Second Time Around

She was barely six years old
The bike was shiny and new
Out to prove that riding bikes
Was something she could do
There was this hill, there was a tree
She couldn't find the brakes
At six years old, she learned
That you can learn from your mistakes

Her mother looking down at her
Sadly shook her head
But a smile came to her face
As her daughter said

"Could I have a second chance?
Could I give it one more try?
I think I know where I went wrong
This time I'll get it right
I know that I can do it
And I won't let you down
It's easier, you see
The second time around"

A dozen long-stemmed roses
Held in shaking hands
He rings the doorbell on a porch
Where once they made their plans
There was a fight, some things were said
They didn't really mean
And ended up breaking up
What really should have been

As she opens up the door
The thoughts are swimming in his head
He offers her the flowers
And slowly says

"Could I have a second chance?
Could I give it one more try?
I think I know where I went wrong
This time I'll get it right
I know that I can do it
And I won't let you down
I'll make it up to you
The second time around"

Like two opposing generals
Caught up in a war
They'd long ago forgotten
What they'd been fighting for
Twenty angry years have cast
A cloud on both their lives
The time had come for both of them
To put aside their pride

As the father took the son's hand
There were tears in both their eyes
"I asked you here tonight, son
To apologize"

"Could I have a second chance?
Could I give it one more try?
I think I know where I went wrong
This time I'll get it right
I know that I can do it
And I won't let you down
I'll make it up to you
The second time around"

It's so much easier, you see
The second time around