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It's Kinda Criminal

Playing Pretend

By Kelli Sheckler-AmsdenPublished 10 months ago Updated 10 months ago 3 min read
Top Story - March 2025

VERSE ONE:

I could outrun any other

I've found my way across the line

I’ve been a loser and a winner

At least a half a dozen times

Because no matter what you’re playing

Someone fails and someone wins

And they say that when you've found the right one

That's when real magic begins

*

CHORUS:

And you know, it’s kinda criminal

The way it had to end

And I think it’s kinda criminal

That you could not let me in

I know we both said forever, but forever came and went

And it’s really kinda criminal

The way we play pretend

*

VERSE TWO:

And that’s exactly how it happened, on that dark and and dreary night

I found myself tied to you, like a tethered string and kite

But we were tossed and torn by brutal winds, left to dance across the sky

I vowed that I'd be yours forever, to dance this dance, until I die

*

CHORUS:

And you know, it’s kinda criminal

The way it had to end

And I think it’s kinda criminal

The way you made me beg

I know we both said forever, but forever came and went

And it’s really kinda criminal

The way we play pretend

*

BRIDGE:

I just wish that things were different

Wish we were tangled up in sheets

Instead of drifting like the current

Lost in these dark, cold city streets

Cool again, like changing weather

Like a soft and gentle breeze

Tangled up together, like we were those first few weeks

*

CHORUS:

And you know, it’s kinda criminal

The way it had to end

And I think it’s kinda criminal

The way you made me beg

I know we both said forever, but forever came and went

And it’s really kinda criminal

The way we play pretend

*

VERSE THREE:

The wheels keep on turning

Even when the road gets rough

My heart, it keeps on burning

For the love we could have had

I guess that's how our story goes

I would have planned a better end

But we drew blood on thorns of roses

And tell ourselves that we're content

*

CHORUS:

And you know, it’s kinda criminal

The way it had to end

And I think it’s kinda criminal

That you wouldn't let me in

I know we both said forever, but forever came and went

And it’s really kinda criminal

The way that we pretend

*

OUTRO:

I'll still leave a light on

With the hope, love comes again

Can't kill the sweetest Swan's song

Though it drives me to the edge

If I only keep the light on

Salvations sure to find me here

With the strength that love can build upon

Bringing my true loves, paramour

***

Author's Note:

Love is fickle, fragile and sometimes infuriating, but forever love is almost criminal.

Here's to you finding and holding onto the love that stirs your heart and brings you joy.

But remember, that true love comes from within. You must first love yourself to love another.

*

Dear.....you know who you are,

If I could tear myself wide open and show the workings of my heart. If I could undo all my failures and reveal their fractured parts. Maybe then you'd understand the role that you have played, to make me who I am today, the new me you have made.

If I could thank you with my actions, far beyond where words can go. If I could prove my gratitude and then my thankfulness would show - that I wouldn't be much of anything at all, without your tender redirection when you saved me from the fall.

If you could see into my being and read the thoughts here in my head. If I could show you how I'm better, moving on, from where I've been. Then, you would see newly moved mountains and waterfalls encased with rainbows. If you could see inside and feel the deepest longing of my soul.

If I could grasp hold of forever, and bend back time to suit your needs. I'd gladly give it back, for the many ways you gave to me. The ones given without question; you simply gave all that you had, you always saw the best in me, when all I could see was bad.

If the rhythm of my heart could play a song made just for you, it would highlight all the times you mended my heart with your glue. The melody would reach into the deepest places love can go, blending with perfect lyric building a tempo of our souls.

70s musiccountryfact or fictionpopvintagevinyl

About the Creator

Kelli Sheckler-Amsden

Telling stories my heart needs to tell <3 life is a journey, not a competition

If you like what you read, feel free to leave a tip, I would love some feedback

Find me on twitter @kelli7958958

or facebook

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Comments (30)

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  • Henry Lucy9 months ago

    Congratulations to you

  • Alex H Mittelman 10 months ago

    It would be criminal not to give this top story! Congrats on top story!

  • RealEstate Jot8110 months ago

    It’s kinda criminal how often people overlook the little injustices happening around them every day. Not just the big, headline-worthy crimes, but the subtle ones—people taking credit for others’ work, businesses exploiting their employees, or even someone betraying a friend’s trust. We tend to focus on what’s legally wrong while ignoring what’s morally questionable. Maybe the real crime isn’t just breaking the law, but breaking the unspoken rules of fairness and decency. At the end of the day, what’s 'criminal' isn’t always about handcuffs—it’s about conscience. And that’s something no courtroom can truly judge. <a href="https://realestatejot.com/">Read It For More Information!</a>

  • Denise E Lindquist10 months ago

    Congratulations on a well-deserved top story!!🎉🎉🎉

  • ⸘jason alan‽10 months ago

    this hit me. right in the feels

  • ElwainMickle10 months ago

    Good Written

  • Andrea Corwin 10 months ago

    All I can say after reading this is WOW. You nailed this for anyone who has ever felt like this inside or outside or upside down with love. Congratulations on the Leaderboard and Top Story! 🥳 🥳 🥳

  • Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

  • D.K. Shepard10 months ago

    Oh, wow!! This is fantastic, Kelli! I can tell you're definitely familiar with what makes great and catchy song lyrics. Already got that chorus ingrained in my head to a tune and everything! Congrats!

  • Marilyn Glover10 months ago

    Kelli, this is quite beautiful and I can hear the melody in my head. I am trying to figure out what artist should sing this song, though, lol, but I can definitely picture this playing on the radio for all to hear. Congratulations on your top story. Oh and this line "But we drew blood on thorns of roses, and tell ourselves that we're content" is wow, just wow!

  • Nice work. Congrats on TS! I am singing the song now. lol

  • Fatima10 months ago

    Such a heartfelt, poignant reflection on love and loss!

  • Gina C.10 months ago

    Absolutely mesmerizing, Kelli! Would love to hear this sung and to sing along :)

  • Antoni De'Leon10 months ago

    Sadness and loss shared. Heartfelt. Congrats.

  • Melissa Ingoldsby10 months ago

    This is a winner it’s visceral and it’s very sad, real and catchy

  • Lamar Wiggins10 months ago

    It played out so well in my head! Great entry, Kelli! Congrats!!!

  • JBaz10 months ago

    Damn Kelli this is awesome. It is like a piece of you is in every line. Well done and Congratulations

  • Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

  • John Cox10 months ago

    This is extraordinary, Kelli! If this were recorded and played on the radio, I would want to hear it again and again. It has hit tune written all over it! Congrats on Top Story! Fantastic entry to the challenge! Good luck!

  • Back with a YAY! Great to see this gem get some well deserved recognition! Awesome! 💜

  • Very good work 👏

  • These are great words, excellent for the challenge

  • Tiffany Gordon10 months ago

    You're a gifted songwriter Kelli! Your song was phenomenally-written! Go girlie Go! 💪🏾🫶🏾💕💖

  • Bloody brilliant. The kind of criminal refrain is so catchy also!

  • C. Rommial Butler10 months ago

    Well-wrought! Life's a Journey, so, eh... Don't Stop Believin'... Sorry, song theme = dad joke...

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