Year of the Skunk
Skunk Jugglers
Suicide Deferred · Amazing Animals · Non-Religious Savior · Emotional Alt Rock
#VERSE
Wading knee-deep in the stream of depression
Ava was bullied by questions of life
Sad thoughts rushing like icy water she stood in
This was the day she would sink out of sight
#VERSE
Camping alone in the arms of the Rockies
Her attempts as an influencer completely failed
Uploaded her exploits to a fan base of none
No one would care as her last scene unveiled
#VERSE
She fell to her knees with the live stream rolling
Rapids tugged at her body to pull her down
When up on the bank she saw two eyes watching
An inquisitive skunk waited to watch her drown
#PRE-CHORUS
But simply seeing that skunk
Made her mind’s storm clouds clear
As she said to herself
“I’ll give life one more year
If this outcast of animals
Can go on fearlessly
Then I know there’s hope
For a failure like me”
#CHORUS
And she said...
My thoughts tell me I stink
And I know that I’ve stunk
But for one year I’ll be me
The year of the skunk
I’ll have hope in tomorrow
Since today’s hope has sunk
For one year I’ll live free
The year of the skunk
#INSTRUMENTAL
#VERSE
But Ava made her decision a moment too late
The Big Thompson River pulled her free of the bank
Sharp rocks scratched her skin with her head going under
For her last happy memory—that skunk she could thank
#PRE-CHORUS
She surrendered herself
As she tumbled downstream
But she tangled in logs
And rejoiced with a scream
Then pulling herself
From icy waters to shore
There was the skunk
Calmly watching once more
#CHORUS
And she said...
My thoughts tell me I stink
And I know that I’ve stunk
But for one year I’ll be me
The year of the skunk
I’ll have hope in tomorrow
Since today’s hope has sunk
For one year I’ll live free
The year of the skunk
#BRIDGE
In the skunk’s jet-black eyes
Ava felt she could see
A feeling of trust
And deep empathy
She replayed her failures
The friction of life
But the skunk seemed to say
“It will turn out alright”
She felt no one cared
Or wanted her near
But this lone forest creature
Was watching right here
She had knelt in the river
With no one to save her
But a smelly young outcast
Became her surprise savior
#VERSE
Ava limped to her van, grabbed her camera gear
Said into the livestream, “Guess what? I’m still here”
Turned the camera to show the skunk following her
And said, “I’ve just been influenced by this sweet ball of fur”
#CHORUS
My thoughts tell me I stink
And I know that I’ve stunk
But for one year I’ll be me
The year of the skunk
I’ll have hope in tomorrow
Since today’s hope has sunk
For one year I’ll live free
The year of the skunk
#CHORUS
Have hope in tomorrow
When all hope has sunk
Embrace one fearless year
The year of the skunk
When life’s river of worries
Makes you sure that you’re sunk
Take one year just for you
The year of the skunk
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