These Roadside Wonders
While spending months in California earlier this year, I was able to write a handful of new songs. They were colored by views of palms and bougainvillea, sunshine and surf, far beyond the closed-in hills of Appalachia. Most of them will need a lot of editing, however the song The Wonder just sort of tumbled out and landed on its feet. It's always so weird and mysterious how some songs do that.
I consider it a diptych paired with Quiver from last month's post. Just add a hinge. I supposed it's not too early to confess I've been mulling over which songs to record for a new collection (EP or full length, haven't decided yet...) and these two rise to the top as contenders.
In honor of our recent super blue moon, I thought I'd share a live reel from Instagram if you'd like to have a listen -- the moon has a way of getting into many of my songs and this one doesn't break the habit.
The Wonder © 2023
Untethered from the life I knew
like footprints washed out in the waves
It's all here and now
Weathered by the waiting
A plane ascends into the blue, blue sky
I tried my best and never got that high
So I packed my things and said a few goodbyes
Now I'm reading highway signs
With no plan in sight
There's no getting used to silence
I learned that the hard way
If you reach out
like moonlight on the water
I will be here
washed out in the waves
Time means nothing to me anymore
Except I see this image in the mirror and I see just what it's done
Friends are static and I can't explain
I keep hoping to see you on the screen saying how it's been
You know, I think of you all the time
I see you name on street signs and grave stones with one letter changed
Watch the moon cycle in and out of shadow
The ground thaw and freeze
I drove by my old house and a I see the trees I planted there
There's not getting used to silence
Heaven knows I've tried
In uneasiness and wonder
All silence is sublime
If you reach out
like moonlight on the water
I will be here
washed out in the waves
In the spotlight
the universe applauds
In these dark nights
and highway desert days
The roadside wonders
This here and now, come and go
Did I choose this freedom?
Or my heart's devotion?
Or this tawny conversation with a canyon?