Here are a couple of drafts that call to mind Maya Angelou's words, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Here's the best I can do for today. Made for a fun night on the deck!
I wrote I Rise last month after a lousy incident at an open mic that turned out to have inspired me in some ways. Old Guitar was drafted about a year and a half ago when our dear Odie was by my side, God rest his soul.
I Rise
On the downside of the hill I climbed so long
Kids almost grown. And I hear a song
Clouds that block the moon don’t steal her shine
Clear skies ain’t needed to perceive
Vision aligns
It’s not that I don’t suck, I already know
Voice gets lost and fingers move too slow
I care little for your judgment or praise
Opinions are cheap. Flattery breaks.
And I can’t wait
Chorus:
It’s nice to have the dark shadows outside me for a change
So inside, there’s space for light
You judge my bold insufficient whispered tries
Me too. Me too
Still I rise
Verse 2:
I blushed stradivarius-like charms
mirrored in eyes of a man who liked to lie
And I… love to believe
Now I trade forgiveness for goodbye
and I rise
This precious heart of mine opens wider than before
I see possibilities left crumbled on the floor
Grateful for my lollygagging growth
Friends and other kind souls
with gratitude
bridge:
test after test after test I give myself a solid C
last night a Judas kissed my cheek and I just smiled
Chorus:
It’s nice to have the dark shadows outside me for a change
So inside, there’s space for light
You judge my bold insufficient whispered tries
Me too. Me too
Still I rise
Verse 3:
Talent may come in time
but it’s naught without vision, grit and tryin’
My best power lies in my faith
that it’s worth the bother
and bravery
Chorus:
It’s nice to have the dark shadows outside me for a change
So inside, there’s space for light
You judge my bold insufficient whispered tries
Me too. Me too
Still I rise
Me too. Me too
Still I rise
Old Guitar
There’s an old dog guarding me
Babies grown up wonderfully
Got milk for my coffee
There ain’t nothin’ more I want
Had a man filled with spirit
Good friends that I can visit
Fine music when I hear it
There ain’t nothin’ more I want
Chorus 1
But I lie ‘cuz I still scheme
for a weeping willow tree
outside my window on a yard
with space to dream on stars
and strum my old guitar
Verse 2
Always manage to make the rent
and have most all my needs met
Most nights I sleep content
There ain’t nothin’ more I want
Made some peace with myself
Have plenty of years under my belt
Tellin’ the haters to go to hell
There ain’t nothin more I want
Chorus 2
But I lie ‘cuz I still dream
to have my mind more free
to see the world less hard
than the news I disregard
Just to strum my old guitar
Chorus 1
But I lie ‘cuz I still scheme
for a weeping willow tree
outside my window on the yard
with space to dream on stars
and strum my old guitar