I've lived in this city
'most all of my life
the asphalt surrounds me
where weeds used to grow
in this two-bit apartment
I watch time pass me by
and dream about places
I never will know
down at the corner,
an old pine tree stands
proud and tall,
out of place in this town
planted a long time ago
by some stranger's hand
and for whatever reason,
was never chopped down
sometimes I sit
in an afternoon kitchen
with a cup of hot coffee
and an unbroken dream
and I stare out the window
to that big old tree
and I swear
sometimes it looks like sequoia to me
if a tree can claim space
on the corner of my block
maybe I've got a place
on this good earth below
maybe we're all just seeds
tossed in cracks in the sidewalk
putting in roots
and needing to grow
sometimes I sit
in an afternoon kitchen
with a cup of hot coffee
and an unbroken dream
and I stare out the window
to that big old tree
and I swear
sometimes it looks like sequoia to me
if a tree can claim space
on the corner of my block
maybe I'll find my place
on this good earth below
we're just like seeds tossed
in a crack in the sidewalk
putting in roots
and needing to grow
I still see you
like it was just yesterday
after the parties
drunk at Denny's
talking shit
I still expect you
to walk in the door your usual way
needing to piss
too much beer
overdoing it a bit
so why did you leave
and why am I still here
I don't know what to believe
my eyes aren't clear
I can still hear you
like it was just yesterday
slide on finger
pick in hand
glass on strings
I still expect you
to get your guitar and play
Keith Richard
Lou Reed
you made Santa Paula sing
so why did you leave
and why am I still here
there are things I can't conceive
that you heard crystal clear
I can still learn from you
like it was just yesterday
melodies
lyrics
you saved my life, you know
I still expect you
to share your magic
microphones
and music
voices on the radio
so why did you leave
and why am I still hear
I have no idea
the answer's not clear
why did you leave
why am I still here
I hope to be with you
after I disappear
I still see you
like it was just yesterday
this fuckin' world
Jesus Christ
can you believe
this mess we're in
you try and try
with all your might
and each time
it's harder to begin
again
maybe you just can't win
but giving in
is a crying shame
and a secular sin
this fuckin' world
the fuckin' people within
this fuckin' world
holy smokes!
every single day
the rich guy steals
from the poot
and claims it's the holy way
okay
I have no idea what to say
but giving in
can't be an option
we must have faith someway
this fuckin' world
I can only hope to see
people like you and me
taking responsibility
for this fuckin' world
we have to believe
if a tree can claim space
on the corner of my block
maybe I'll find my place
on this brown dirt below
we're only seeds
tossed in cracks in the sidewalk
putting in roots
and needing to grow
let's synchronize our watches
to 3/4 time
let's make sure our phrases
are all perfect rhymes
I will be your
eternal valentine
and you can be mine too
if I could speak the language of trees
I'd ask how it felt to be so tall
I'd ask all about the old memories
and hear the questions it asks of us all
and if I could answer back
I'd nod and say "You're not alone"
we're all just weeds in a sidewalk crack
wanting and needing to grow
