on the days when you feel spent

I heard 10,000 Maniacs' "Trouble Me" in the grocery store and had to swallow back tears. Have you ever had that sensation? What's supposed to be a backdrop comes rushing to the forefront? There's been a recent and unexpected death in our extended family, which always brings a strange mixture of pain and closeness to those living. So the lyrics and melody to that song make me think about familial, sacrificial love, but it's also emotional because I hope and believe (can you do both? I think so...) that these are the words that my savior might say to me. And that just makes me a puddle of tears.

trouble me
disturb me with all your cares and your worries

trouble me
on the days when you feel spent

why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden
when my back is sturdy and strong?
trouble me

speak to me
don't mislead me, the calm I feel means a storm is swelling
there's no telling where it starts or how it ends

speak to me
why are you building this thick brick wall to defend me
when your silence is my greatest fear?

why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden
when my back is sturdy and strong?
speak to me.

let me
have a look inside these eyes while I'm learning
please don't hide them just because of tears

let me
send you off to sleep with a
"there, there, now stop your turning and tossing"

let me
know where the hurt is and how to heal.

spare me?
don't spare me anything troubling

trouble me
disturb me with all your cares and your worries

speak to me
and let our words build a shelter from the storm

lastly,
let me know what I can mend

there's more, honestly, than my sweet friend, you can see
trust is what I'm offering if you
trouble me