my life in a cardboard box

there's a stranger I know named success
who doesn't know my home address
he's never visited, I guess
'cause of the failure I have been
which brings me to now, though I digress
I'm here at work and it's a mess
they got me cleaning out my desk
fact is, I just can't win

          I look down
          in my hands
          I just don't understand
          looking at it gives me a shock
          my life in a cardboard box

there's business cards from business guys
who tried to cut me down to size
the glare of profit in their eyes
now they'll look for someone else
there's the pictures of the kids and wife
the ones I pay for with my life
my excuses, every alibi
the fault lies with myself

          I look down
          in my hands
          I just don't understand
          looking at it gives me a shock
          my life in a cardboard box