Inspiration and Dreams

Do you ever have a song or two that you like to listen to, can sing every word, but have never truly paid attention to the lyrics? This happens to me from time to time. The other day I was listening to Kenny Chesney's "El Cerrito Place". I really like this song because it one of many of his songs that hits me where I'm at. The song is about him searching for his love, whoever she may be. He has a vast array of "pretty people" to choose from in El Cerrito Place, but she isn't them. He searches for her in magical, but real places, places that bring him to his happy place. The lyrics that really struck a cord in me was the second verse:

"Someone said they might have seen you where the ocean meets the land
So I've been out here all night lookin' for your footprints in the sandDid you hear the ocean singing, baby did you sing alongWhile you danced out in the water to some ol' forgotten song,Were you even here at all?"

He's on the coast, his island paradise. The imagery in this verse is spectacular. Why it get's me is because the islands are one of many places I want to visit, a dream of a coastal paradise. Then, the other part is that he's searching for his love, whomever that may be. In the same way, being single, it's almost like I'm on a similar adventure. Enjoying life as it comes, wondering who that person will be, and who knows, maybe I'll find her in these places. 

But the real inspiration behind this post is the poem I was inspired to write based on this verse. It all came to me at once and I wrote it in less than ten minutes. Now that I've given you the background, here is my latest piece hot off the presses...er hard drive. 

Where Are You My Love?

By Josh Watkins

Where are you my love?

Why do you elude me so?

What must I do to unmask you mystery?

Who are you really?

Some said they have seen you,

on Mt. Everest’s peak.

So I packed my bags

and headed westward.

I endured the blinding snow,

the dwindling strength,

the diminishing breath,

but I found you not.

Some said they saw you,

at the lake of the great fall’s leap.

So I swam the ocean towards the setting sun,

hoping to see your silhouette.

I cut through jungle,

and prolonged the monkey’s laugh,

Crossed treacherous terrain,

and gained love’s scars.

I reached the magical waters,

and bathed in their welcoming wash,

But my heart sank beneath their depths,

seeing no trace of your beauty.

Some said they gazed upon you,

at freedom’s highest flame.

So I ran,

carrying love’s weight.

I saw the flame,

and basked in her message.

I gazed upon the ash, tears, broken dreams

and saw the phoenix rising.

Then after all my wandering,

chasing, searching, I gained a thought.

Maybe in each place I’ve been,

i wasn’t chasing you,

You are chasing me.