13 minutes

He was sittin’ on the edge of that old steel bridge,

Head full of thunder, hands startin’ to twitch.

I didn’t know his name, just saw the pain in his face,

Pulled off the shoulder — couldn’t walk away.

I said, “I don’t got answers, but I got a little time.”

And for thirteen minutes, I just let him cry.

Thirteen minutes ain’t much, but it’s more than none,

Sometimes a kind word can quiet the fight.

You don’t need the right words, just show you care,

Be the hand on their back when there’s no one there.

You don’t need a degree to save a life —

Just give someone thirteen minutes of time.

She was curled on the floor by the high school stairs,

Said she couldn’t take another cold-eyed stare.

I dropped my books and sat beside her shoes,

Said, “I don’t know you, but I’ve been there too.”

We talked about music and her dog back home,

That thirteen minutes meant she wasn’t alone.

Thirteen minutes ain’t much, but it’s more than none,

Sometimes a kind word can quiet the fight.

You don’t need the right words, just show you care,

Be the hand on their back when there’s no one there.

You don’t need a degree to save a life —

Just give someone thirteen minutes of time.

Now I keep a card in my worn-out jeans,

With the 9-8-8 line and a list of things

To say when the storm starts cloudin’ their eyes —

’Cause minutes matter when hope runs dry.

Doesn’t take a miracle or some fancy plan,

Just thirteen minutes and a willing hand.

Thirteen minutes ain’t much, but it’s all you need,

To change a mind hangin’ on by a single plea.

You don’t need the right words, just show you care,

Be the light in the dark when it’s too much to bear.

You don’t have to fix all the hurt inside —

Just give someone thirteen minutes of time.