It’s been a tough time for me, this past couple of weeks. Not only have I been sick for the longest time (yes, I’m still reeling to this day), I’ve also been in a sort of roller coaster ride, emotionally. Most of you know why. And to top it all off, I just got news yesterday, that my landlord is taking back the house I’m renting, to give to his son as a wedding gift. Now, I’m all of a sudden, scrambling to find a new place to move in to, next month. I’m a bit overwhelmed, to be honest.
There are times when things go rough and you’re hoping to simply ride the storm thinking, it will all be good in the end. Sometimes, it ends up as planned. Sometimes, it doesn’t. It reminded me of a song I wrote some time ago, when I was still married. I was hoping that the storm will soon pass and we’ll be alright, in the end. Apparently, the storm did a pretty good job.
Hopefully, it won’t be too hard on me, this time around.
Anyhow, here’s a song about hoping for the best.
After the Fire
Remember the moonlight, the sand in our shoes
We walked until midnight looking for clues
How could it be so easy, how could it be so plain
We lit up a fire, we lit up a flame
So our hands came together through comfort and pain
The tears and the laughter, the sun and the rain
A dream for tomorrow, a promise we yearn
That after the fire, the fire will burn
Our eyes they were glowing as we hoped for the best
But stormy days passed us by, thought we’re failing the test
We came to our senses, we grew and we learned
And after the fire, the fire still burned
And when I flip the pages of my memories of yesterday I cry
And when I view the photographs they whisper to me saying
Love can never die
We came to our senses, and we grew and we learned
So after the fire, the fire still burned
Now Christmas is back again, and it comes with a smile
Those crazy days have come and gone, they only stay for a little while
Though the sun may not shine today, and the rain may take its turn
But after the fire, the fire will burn
And after the fire, the fire will burn
Yeah, after the fire, the fire will burn
Back in the summer of 2005, I recorded a few cover tunes, as I had been running dry on creativity. I included the Thin Lizzy classic, “The Boys Are Back In Town,” since it was one of those tunes I used to play live, at open mic nights. Unplugged! It was sort of unique to play it with an acoustic guitar, as it is truly well-known for being a rock anthem (I can imagine it being blasted in an Irish pub). But people seemed to liked it a lot.
Also, I was reading some random blog somewhere yesterday about the benefits of blindness. It’s interesting to note that there are, indeed, things we’ll never be able to see, unless we’re blind. Especially, if blind from birth. Though, how ironic, I thought. I can only imagine the otherworldly experiences of such people. Their visual alternatives to what we’re accustomed to seeing in plain view, can only be sheer fantasy to us. The light that shines through their “dark” world can never be compared to the one we’re typically acquainted with. I venture to think that, it’s a little more complex than a mere flick of a light switch. Or, even the break of dawn creeping in through a bedroom window.
Now, if you’ve read this far down, maybe I have somehow sparked an interest in you, already. I’d love to hear what you think, then. As far as my own vision goes… it’s a little too early to tell. I’m open to anything, really. But the simplest way I can imagine this idea taking off, is if I could get one partner for each song I write. Say, if you are willing to write a few lines of (factual or fictional) poetry, I can attempt to write a melody on top of it, if you haven’t already. Then, I’ll record it, and post updated versions of its recording here, on a regular basis. I’ll do this until we’re both satisfied, and the master recording has been completed.
Chris Alma José 