this talisman of brass
feels cold against your skin
hangs 'round your neck on piece of yarn
grandma left behind in a cookie tin

trudging up the sidewalk
backpack hanging by one strap
thoughts letting go of dull assignments
'bout filling in countries on a map


the key slides in, opens up the portal
burdens dropped inside the door
half-assedly take out the trash
stake out your space on the rec room floor...

tv on to channel 8
but not too fast or the knob will break
as the tube warms up the timer dings
on the hot pocket in the microwave

--------------
Mom's at work for the next three hours
dad'll pick you up on the weekend
you carry so much on your shoulders
but on your abilities they depend

-----------------

the latch key generation
you hold your heads up high
you were on your own, from the get go
you got it done you didn't cry

wrapped up in their own issues
they left you to do or die
you did the work, with a sarcastic smirk
independence is your battle cry!

------------

They all say they tried their best
trickle down was just a rumor
but they never missed a happy hour
or chance to play model consumer

life's lessons came from television
Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers
Knowing things was half the battle
learned stranger-danger from Transformers

You stepped up, were responsible
took care of all that needed doing
kept the house and little kids in line
all with fatalistic gallows humor

your independence was imposed
left to establish your own future
barely time to begrudge struggles left
by materialistic boomers!

----------

Homework's done, and dinner's made
no time for trouble, too much to do
cat's been fed, paperboy's paid
so much of it depends on you

--------------

the latch key generation
you hold your heads up high
you were on your own, from the get go
you got it done you didn't cry

wrapped up in their own issues
they left you to do or die
you did the work, with a sarcastic smirk
independence is your battle cry!


--------

mom needs you to pay the plumber
you're only twelve, for goodness sake
if it's not one thing it's the other
no slack is cut for your mistakes

---------------

the latch key generation
you hold your heads up high
you were on your own, from the get go
you got it done you didn't cry

wrapped up in their own issues
they left you to do or die
you did the work, with a sarcastic smirk
independence is your battle cry!