Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Taking A Break

Taking A Break



Step to the mic, on the road, at largest venue we have performed,
As often as I've sung this song, you'd think, no cause for alarm;
Reality never seems to set in, as I navigate the first verse,
Knowing full well, when I step away, the feeling only gets worse.


This song is about a first love, the one I let slip out the door.
Each time I sing it, it takes me back, seems to hurt a little more.
Second stanza, once cloudy when written, more focused, now I find,
Once the chorus slides in, harmony helps to easy my weary mind.


But when the band members step to the spotlight, each one takes a turn,
I'm standing in the shadows, dealing with lessons I have learned.
Each looks at me, as they perform, hoping the singer will approve,
I nod my head, give them a grin, trying to get back in the groove.


The guitar guy has been with me for years, he knows what going on,
The fiddle player's heard all the stories: coming, going and gone.
The bass and drum pair, take pains to get it right, in their own little world,
The steel guitar man we hired for this tour, never even heard of the girl.


I guess I shouldn't complain or cry in my beer, success is now at hand,
My song is on the radio, I'm on the road with this really fine band,
Studio producers, and the A&R men, swear to heaven I've got what it takes,
They see my melting down as having soul, when the band is taking their breaks.


I may write a hundred songs, as I move along, with what they call a career,
But I'll never have another, as long as I live, where the meaning is so clear.
When I'm in a crowd, I make it okay. When I'm alone I consumed with fear.
She who left me her heart surely won't mind, if you sit down, lend me an ear.


One day I'll get to a place, where reality's skewed, I will fail to see,
What the true intent was when I wrote this song, what it meant to me.
And if I practice real hard, at bending a string, who knows what I'll do,
I may take a break in an encore, forgetting who it was that made me blue.


Michael Todd  (2013)

32 comments:

  1. I love this. Too say thats shes the one that got away isnt saying enough, this tells a story that wraps around your heart as you read it.

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    1. She was the one that got away, Deanna, and at some point, it appears he got away with... something. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for visiting.

      And, of course... Nice FRISTING !!!

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  2. It's nice to be frist once in awhile. ;)

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    1. Oh, you were, right there, front and center... I love that.

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  3. That's what gives the singer heart--heartache! Great job as usual!

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    1. Yes, Wynne... Sometimes the research required for the most significant material can break a person down...

      Thanks for the visit. Lovely to see you, as always.

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  4. I get what he is saying though I never wrote a song about first love which happens to change you forever, This is a great piece, Myke. I am sorry I did not comment faster, my PC said no.

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    1. Thanks... I don't think I ever had the nerve to tread anywhere near first love, when writing, or even seriously reminiscing. It just seemed to taboo a subject to tackle, and I was afraid I might go back there and get stuck.

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  5. That's just too darn lovely, DJM. And I'll offer this, from the other side of the argument, because I wrote it sitting on a front porch in Tyrell, Texas. not so long back, strumming on a sweet Gibson J-45. I doesn't have a title, but I sorta think this and your protagonists make a nice pair of country song bookends:

    I’m in a pale blue ’52 Cadillac
    northbound, highway 19
    I’m laying on the back seat
    I paid this college kid to drive
    I’m heading for the promised land
    and I ain’t got time to spare…
    you know,if they’d paid Ol’ Hank by the teardrop
    he’d have died a millionaire.

    Some men drink to recall the past
    some men drink to forget
    Me, I drink ‘cause I like it
    and for some reasons I don’t care to discuss
    The way I got it figured
    no one says that life is fair
    ‘cause,if they’d paid Ol’ Hank by the teardrop
    he’d have died a millionaire.

    Lord this night seems to drag right through to morning
    those dark Allegheny hills a make my heart grieve
    Jesus showed me how I could live forever
    but I'd trade that just to live through this New Year’s Eve

    In a world a'swirl with cheatin' hearts
    and ghosts off the Natchez trace
    and red shoes in the hallway
    of the tomb on Franklin road
    there's a mighty hunger to reconquer love -
    that's the hunger of despair
    if they’d paid Ol’ Hank by the teardrop
    he’d have died a millionaire.

    Some folks talk 'bout that Lost Highway
    but that was one I didn’t write
    Well, damn this road and bless that song
    because I’m taking that final ride....
    Sometimes death comes on black beating wings,
    sometimes it’s a chestnut mare
    and if they’d paid Ol’ Hank by the teardrop
    he’d have died a millionaire.

    We should call up ol' George Strait and get out there on a three-way package. What d'y'all think?

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    1. This is the single greatest, most epic occurring of riffing I have ever witnessed. Love, love, love it... and by gosh, this could very well change George Strait's plan to retire from the road... Thanks, Seb!

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  6. I think this song could be a ballad that would last through the ages. Brings up all kinds of emotions... Wonderfully done. -David II

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    1. Sounds like a great plan, David. All we need is a melody and a singer, and we are off to the races... Thanks!

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  7. you're just humming along writing up a storm - excellent. I've written poems about first love and lost love, guess I just like to torture myself

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    1. I am having a blast over here, Sweet Sue... Things are going so well, I can now write openly about failed relationships and still come up smiling.

      Thanks for the visit. I appreciate that.

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  8. I would follow your blog but don't see a follow by email button

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    1. I don't think there is a feature for that on Blogspot, Sue.
      However, there is on Wordpress, where you live, so I think I am now following you, if I followed proper protocol.

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  9. don't think you're following me but I follow several people on blogspot so the feature does exist...

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    1. Of course I am following you. It is easy for me to follow anyone that has a dedicated blog page. Now, as for how to provide a way for you to follow me, can't seem to locate that here. Maybe it has to be done from your end. Worst case scenario, just remember my url... myketodd.blogspot.com
      Same my name, Sweet Sue... Say my name... :^)

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  10. Sweet revenge is to get it recorded and sell a million. Ask Stephen Stills.

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    1. I hear you, Christopher... Hey, I did a "Suite" just a couple weeks ago. Of course, now you have me hearing "Love The One You're With" in my perfect brain. That ear worm can take root and stay for hours... yipes!

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  11. Oh Myke...

    I am in love with this.
    Everything about it!

    Somehow... and maybe I'm wrong
    I don't think you would ever forget the true meaning
    of your heartfelt song.
    ♥♥

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    1. Thanks, Teresa! ... What song? ... Just kidding ...
      That was so wrong of me...
      * hangs head in shame *

      So, nice to see you. I really appreciate the visit.

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  12. Very enjoyable, and a tune we all know the words too!

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    1. Absolutely, Stephy... I got this one memorized.

      It is SO cool you came via your Party Planners site. *smiles*

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  13. Encompasses all of the pain, all of the sorrow and all of the strength that a performer will put himself through to go on with the show. A powerful song/poem this is!

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    1. Thanks, Dave... Merle Haggard used to sing a song about kicking out the footlights, our of frustration, as he was performing, endless, on the road.
      Now, that is as real as it gets.

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  14. Got to catch up! Haven't visited your blog for awhile....sorry! I LOVE the story behind this one. Sad, sweet, and hopeful tale. I guess angst has its place in poetry as a prime motivator!

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    1. Angst would rule my every word, if I allowed, Sandra. My "Mr. Melancholy" persona is always waiting in the wings, ready to rumble.
      Nice to see you!

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  15. Wow Myke!!! I loved this. All emotions that it evoked and the flowing of the verses. Very nicely done. It reads like a song. And I enjoyed the other write as well...by Seb I believe you called him. Wow, what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon reading.

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    1. Hello, Laura... Glad you enjoyed them all. Thanks especially for spending some quality time with Seb. He is the best.

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  16. You've woven a deep story into your words that no doubt resonate with us all; that one that got away, the bittersweet emotions, turning those emotions into something positive. now the protagonist just needs to keep trucking forward, LOL!

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    1. He will make it to the finish line, providing one ever comes into view.
      Thanks, Joleene!

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