After 3 weeks away and not touching a guitar during that time the first verse of this new song below just 'popped out' the first time I picked up the guitar. It has evolved into a complete song. To wit:
NOT QUITE AN OLD MAN
I’ve been
out wanderin’ around the world again
This time a
little voice tagged along for the ride
It said hey
there Michael
Take care
Michael
You’re no
longer a young man
I went back
to places I had been before
45 years ago
in the days of yore
Where the
sun was always shining
And life
would be forever
I remembered
that young man
Who walked
alone and looked about for the answer to his dreams
A girl like
him who liked to roam and play music in the sun
But the
dreams were always fleeting
Too many men
competing
So I
wandered on alone man
This time
the older man he took a different path
Down the
roads of ancients with their cities made of stone
He sat in
ancient theatres
Heard their
distant voices
And felt
right at home with those old men
Bridge 1
They pick
the olives and catch the fish
And make
sure the retsina flows
Too old now
to leap with bulls
They sit
around in talk cafes
Bridge 2
What’s that
pain? am I out of breath?
Should I
just sit here for a while?
Those steps
were steep; that road is long
Are you sure
that this is wise?
Travellers
and the locals all dine out in the squares
Beneath the
famous temples up there on the hill
Those with
worry beads connect the present and the past
Bouzouki
strains floating on the breeze in the fading light
Beckon to
the Parthenon
Gorgeous
Plaka will party on
Long after
we’re all gone man
And I’ve
come home not quite an old man
Copyright M. Coghlan (April 2023)
