23 Line - an Original Song

This piece is for my New Year's resolution to share one original song, however imperfect/unfinished it may be, per month! I'll put the link to the article in which I wrote about this resolution at the end of this piece. I am just getting this submission in in time - drat February for having a quicker deadline than other months! I definitely would like to make some lyrical and melodic changes to this piece, and would very much like to do a few more takes in the hopes of a better-sounding version than this draft. But I'm tired and have a sore throat today - and I intend to keep my promise of sharing one song each month! So here is my early version of "23 Line." The title and chorus refer to the number 23 bus line in the city, which I often find myself taking to get here and there. One day, I was sitting at a bus stop for the 23 line and enjoying a particularly lovely sky - while a song began to play through my battered headphones, whose central theme also pertained to enjoying the 'big sky.' Feeling inspired in that moment, I jotted down a few lines about feeling like a rich man with 'the whole sky' being mine. Over the next little while, it developed into more of what you'll hear below. More themes, moments, and reflections gradually fed into it, adding some other layers - but I'd love to hear what you think of it, if you have the time to listen and comment! I understand the words and scenes might be a little ambiguous (especially the ending) but I would love to know what it makes you lovely folks feel and think about. I know what it means to ME...but that's not necessarily the most important thing when sharing a creative endeavor. But anyhow, that's just about enough blathering from me for today (though I do need to meet a 600 word minimum word count). Thank you kindly for stopping by! It means more to me than I can say whenever folks take just a few moments to take in a creative endeavor of mine. It's a true gift- so cheers, all. :)

LYRICS:

Duct-taped headphones

don't keep out the city sounds;

And a quiet light falls,

As I start to look around...

*

And I think

I am a rich man.

The whole sky is mine -

And there's a song in my ears -

Here on the 23 Line -

Here on the 23 Line!

*

Downtown's alright,

With all it's angles and lights,

Steakhouses, and ninety dollar wines.

But put me eastbound, I'll be just fine!

Where the clouds are still in sight...

*

There,

I am a rich man.

The whole sky is mine -

And there's a song in my ears -

Here on the 23 Line -

Here on the 23 Line!

*

And I find myself in tears;

How's it been a year?

Haven't faced those fears;

How's it been ten years?

*

*

*

One more late-minute closing note: this piece is NOT being submitted to the brand new "Harmonic Verses" challenge; it's a coincidence that a music-themed Vocal challenge just appeared today! I don't think this piece has enough of a narrative to qualify for the new challenge, anyhow; but I am SO excited that Vocal is giving us a musical/lyrical challenge, and I am greatly looking forward to both working on a submission of my own for that one at some point in the coming months AND seeing what musical brilliance others come up with!

Link to my Musical Endeavor New Year's resolution piece: