I weep at the tiny table
I wipe my crying eyes
He called a specific shade of saddest blue
A sort of grey-toned sapphire 
in the Maryland moonlight
There’s a despondent nature to their hue

I said, “They’ve seen some things…”
Wandered wonders,
Blundered blunders…
Now, I sit in my clutter
Prepare the painful process
to get my life on track
But everything I paint
is a picture of no progress
I toss another failure in my stack

Depictions of daisies
Drowned in navy 
So they appear black 
Piled to the ceiling
Visually unappealing
Acrylic cracks

I sometimes wish I could save them
or somehow recreate them
but the pigment bled and 
there’s nothing I can do
with palettes of sorrow
from Picasso I borrowed
that only have versions of blue 

Baby he’d call me in bed
Aqua wave on the beach where we met
Sky came falling down on my head 
Slate like metal on the jet when he left
Navy man succumbed to his fear
Royal pain in the morning mirror
Midnight snacks help me persevere
Denim don’t zip but it did last year

Sky I screamed to it and cursed his name
Baby I was one people were ashamed
Turquoise tears pouring down like rain
Cobalt heart and ice in my veins
Navy sailor left me MIA
Royal order couldn’t make him stay
Denim scarred with holes and stains
Opal ring flushed down the drain

He says I’m overdramatic
I can’t see it’s over, traumatic 
I’m symptomatic 
Breathing asthmatic
Speaking emphatic
Scene cinematic 
My tricks acrobatic
When he calls them my tactics
I get so erratic 
It’s not democratic
Cause if I got to vote
It’d be automatic

He’d be
In full color next to me

Baby blue sunsets mixed with orange and pink
Aqua waves would float our frozen drinks 
Sky he’d lift me to it and our legs would link
Ice cold water but we’d never sink 
Navy ocean, we’d swim all night 
Royal order don’t sleep till daylight
Denim shorts, swept away, that’s alright
Opal ring, one knee, love for life 

It’d be overly saturated
He’d be over-infatuated
With me
But those are long lost dreams
No vibrance, so static
It’s monochromatic 

There’s no you
There’s only blue

Blue

Sometimes you just need a friend
Someone to sit on the back porch with
Someone to laugh and tell old stories with
Sometimes you just need a friend 

They’ll bring housewarming gifts
then they’ll pack up the apartment
They’re states away but
They’re never that far ‘cause 

Once you’re back together
It’s like no time passed at all
You’ll tell those same old stories
You’ve told a million times before 

Like that time back in college
You drunkenly passed out on the floor
Slept all night on the patio 
Of the neighbor who lived next door

Every time you tell it
I laugh just a little more
Cause I know it’s exaggerated
But no one’s keeping score

Sometimes you just need a friend
Someone to sit on the back porch with
Someone to laugh and tell old stories with
Sometimes you just need a friend 

Sometimes you just need a friend
Someone to share all your secrets with
Someone to bear all your demons with
Sometimes you just need a friend 

They’ll sleep in your bed 
the night that your dad dies
They’ll brush your hair
when you’re too tired to try 

They’ll pick up the phone
when you crash your car
They’ll grab their keys
and ask where you are 

They ain’t the cops
They’ll tow you out 
of that ditch where you got stuck

Like they’re your mom
They’ll cuss you out
while leaning in for hug 

Saying

I’m so thankful
You’re fine

Saying 

You’re an idiot
But you’re mine

Sometimes you just need a friend
Someone who’d help you cover up your crimes
Someone when your head’s hanging low
They’ll tell that story with a few more details than last time 

Like God put ‘em in that car
To remind you who you are

Sometimes you just need a friend
Someone to sit on the back porch with
Someone to laugh and tell old stories with
Sometimes you just need a friend 

Sometimes you just need a friend
Someone to share all your secrets with
Someone to bear all your demons with
Sometimes you just need a friend

Sometimes You Just Need A Friend

I spoke to the moon and she said to keep going
I know it’s dark right now but the sun will rise again
It seems like the daisies died and the night will last a lifetime

They’re just sleeping
It’s needed for dreaming

I spoke to the North Star and she lit up a new path
It’s a rugged one few have travelled before
I wander through humbling darkness and my only friend is 

An owl in a tree
Cooing to me

I spoke to the Owl and she gave me some wisdom
Walk west by the river till you reach the hill
Follow footprints in the snow and you’ll stumble upon a boat

By a green cabin
Say hi and ask him 

I spoke to the Man and he said, girl get in here
You’re soaked and shivering from head to toe
He gave me strawberry wine and a warm bed to sleep

But I’m so guarded 
He wants to take off my armor

But I need to get farther
I can’t stop here 

I spoke to the wind as the door slammed behind me
She said that’s his loss, you’re well on your way
All you need to do now is head towards the peaks

I’ll give you a jet stream
Fly fast towards those dreams

I spoke to the flowers as I climbed up the mountain
But their petals shut and they didn’t speak back to me
Then the sun appeared in the East, in what felt like a second,
an eight hundred acre field of daisies resurrected 

I sang with the daisies and they said girl you made it
We waited all night long for you to arrive
They sprinkled me in stardust and I blossomed

In a gorgeous spring
Trees of sunset pink

I danced with the deer and drank with the rats
I thought there couldn’t be a party better than this
But the predictable night came and I got bored again 

By deafening silence,
I’m desperate for vibrance 

I took off after Midnight and got lost on my journey
This time I had a crescent sliver of hope
I spoke to the moon and he said what’s important

is not where you’re going
It’s just that you go

I Spoke to the Moon

I’ve been having trouble sleeping
With a billion butterflies in my bed
Their wings are bouncing to the beat of
A love song that’s been stuck in my head
They’re reading between the lines,
buzzing ‘round the ceiling fan…
Leaving little trails of glitter,
Like a snow-filled wonderland…
If you came over tonight,
I’d gladly let you in…
So long as you don’t mind,
The mess I’m living in…
Butterflies are singing down the hall…
Birds chirp your name like a mating call…
Crickets jump with excitement,
Cause they don’t know what’s next,
I’m a sweet little ladybug,
And I don’t know why,
But no one ever said,
They didn’t mind the butterflies in my bed…
I’ve been trying to grow a garden,
But it keeps attracting snakes…
I want to create a haven so,
Love bunnies can have a place…
To frolic in the fountain,
And jump across the pond…
So far it’s been a mountain,
No one’s ever crossed…
If you came over tonight,
I’d gladly let you in…
So long as you don’t mind,
The mess I’m living in…
Butterflies are singing down the hall…
Birds chirp your name like a mating call…
Crickets jump with excitement,
‘Cause they don’t know what’s next,
I’m a sweet little lady bug,
And I don’t know why,
But no one ever said,
They didn’t mind the butterflies in my bed…
The fireflies will light up the porch,
Of the tallest castle where I live…
You can walk right through the front door,
There’s no need to climb your way in…
I’ll greet you with a big smile,
And the flowers will bloom again…
I’ll leap into your arms and,
We’ll join the choir in the garden…
Butterflies are singing down the hall…
Birds chirp your name like a mating call…
Crickets jump with excitement,
Cause they don’t know what’s next,
I’m a sweet little ladybug,
And I don’t know why,
But no one ever said,
They didn’t mind the butterflies in my bed…

Butterflies in My Bed

Once again I dropped the ball
It hit the floor, it was my fault
It’s fine, but I was supposed 
to go for it

All I had to do was talk
Say mine, but I took too long
Now I don’t know if I’m strong 
enough to get over it 

Line drive,
He knocked me out, barely alive
I’m down ‘cause he’s dark brown
and blue-eyed

Blindside,
Our bodies on the floor collide
I wanna speak, but I’m surprised
Why am I so shy and tongue tied?

I said, “Wow, you’re really tall”
He said, “I’m not unique at all”
Don’t you know everybody tells
me that?

I read way too deep into it
Cursed the ref because I blew it
Checked myself out of the match
and sat

Outside,
I can’t keep it between the lines
I misread all the signs
But he’s living it up on his side 

Denied,
It’s just a game, it’s all pretend
Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win
Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win

It’s not as easy as it seems
We’re on two different teams
Our colors have different schemes
We have very different dreams

Line drive,
He knocked me out, barely alive
I’m down ‘cause he’s dark brown
and blue-eyed

Blindside,
Our bodies on the floor collide
I wanna speak, but I’m surprised
Why am I so shy and tongue tied?

Outside,
I can’t keep it between the lines
I misread all the signs
But he’s living it up on his side 

Denied,
It’s just a game, it’s all pretend
Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win
Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win

Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win
Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win
Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win
Ugh, the underdogs just can’t win

The Underdogs

These are the days of our lives
They’re passing by so fast
They slip beyond our control
like sand through the hourglass

We waste them on the drama
When it’s really the simple things
Like that night we slept in the tent
Underneath the live oak trees

Now when I look back to it,
It’s a painful memory
If something could stand the test of time,
I thought it was you and me

January icicles pierced through my heart
February never had a chance to start
Flew by and ‘for I knew it, it was March
They say time heals, it feels just as hard

April fool I was for you
Daffodils may never bloom
I held out through the heat of June
Sought answers to things I already knew

July was blue without red and white
August skies weren’t filled with kites 
I can’t remember September nights
I didn’t wake up one time

October wore a costume and went out
November, nothin’ new I’m thankful about
December drowned in pictures of sorrow
I need you yesterday, today, and tomorrow

I know one thing with certainty
You’re wired into my circuitry
I crave your taste so fervently
Fine wine, deep and burgundy

I know I don’t speak cordially
But I pray do me a courtesy
For the rest of eternity
Remember us perfectly

January snowed in with the dog
February wrote you a love song
Cuddled up by the fire all of March
Jumped your car when it wouldn’t start 

Bought you a birthday present in April
Forgave you in May when we got so hateful
Shopped after church on a Sunday in June
And in that moment I already knew

The fireworks came early
It wasn’t quite July
They went off every night in August
and didn’t stop ‘til September 9

October we were Shaggy and Scooby Doo
November Nana’s table laughin’ with you 
They say we’re livin’ on time borrowed 
I need you yesterday, today, and tomorrow

I need you yesterday, today, and tomorrow

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Slow down, 
tell me something profound
Like you are a writer
And people care about the things you say 
Please ignore the poor sound
This whole time I’ve been torn down
Stuck in the monotony of everyday
I balance all the budgets,
but I’ve only ever lusted
for life on the vibrant side
I don’t have much good luck
But written words are constructs
The grass is really greener somewhere else sometimes 

I did all the things they taught me
Education, heart, and strife
Now I have a badge and key card
Can’t access the better life
Who writes a book where the
lead works on the fourth floor?
Another cup of coffee and a spreadsheet sigh
Tortured poet trapped in time, I’m
The finance guy
The finance guy 

As a girl my friends would ask me,
What do you want to be when
we grow up and get so big?
If I said a pop star, 
they’ll laugh ‘cause I won’t get far, 
so I say the President instead

Everyone rolls their eyes
But to their biggest surprise
I made it one wing from the resolute desk 
The thing is this just ain’t me
My dreams don’t live in DC
I’d rather sing this song to surfers way out West

I did all the things they told me
Head down, sleeves up, elbow grease 
Now I have a cubicle
And wallets full of empty dreams 
Who writes a script where the 
star hosts a conference call?
Another day, another dollar and to-do list line
Tortured poet trapped in time, I’m
The finance guy

I’m busy but I’m good
I’m distracted but I’m fine
I’ll cram precocious poems in after my nine to five
and I’ll pray for
America
To not be Corporate Erica
No politics, just sparkling stages and fireworks of blue, red, and white
And in my imagination, I dare to leave
And when I see the crowd, it’s all I dreamed 

I did all the things they taught me
Education, heart, and strife
Now I have a badge and key card
Can’t access the better life
Who writes a book where the
lead works on the fourth floor?
Another cup of coffee and a spreadsheet sigh
Tortured poet trapped in time, I’m
The finance guy
The finance guy 

Slow down, tell me something profound
Like you are a writer
And people care about the things you say

The Finance Guy

Kentucky’s Not Lucky

I dug my grave the day you died
Into it, I tossed my pride

For months, I didn’t go outside
What was I supposed to do?

I was higher than a Crimson Tide
We weren’t the winners, I just got fried

Couldn’t live without One More Line
The branches weren’t all that Blue

Grabbed your keys and took the truck
It was dark, I didn’t give a fuck

Somewhere else I’ll strike some luck
I put the pedal to the metal and flew

This isn’t regular roulette
I was rushin’ to make a bet

Now I’ve got nothing left
I hope it’s enough to get me through

I can’t go back in time
So I scratch the next line

Lost the lottery of life
Kentucky’s not lucky without you 

Drove to every place in town
Watched the leaves change from red to brown

Spread like wildfires on the ground
I’m at the discretion of the wind

Wound up at a White House down the road
Pennsylvania was lonely and cold

Got suffocated by a sheet of snow
Learned lessons like I’ll never win

This isn’t regular roulette
I was rushin’ to make a bet

Now I’ve got nothing left
I hope it’s enough to get me through

I can’t go back in time
So I scratch the next line

Lost the lottery of life
Kentucky’s not lucky without you 

At night we used to pray
Lord, let us get to May

But that was yesterday
Now I’m all alone in the pew

I confess the things I couldn’t say
Then I take off like a stray

Search all night for a better place
There’s nothing left here in the queue

This isn’t regular roulette
I was rushin’ to make a bet

Now I’ve got nothing left
I hope it’s enough to get me through

I can’t go back in time
So I scratch the next line

Lost the lottery of life
Kentucky’s not lucky without you 

Kentucky’s not lucky without you
Kentucky’s not lucky without you

Kentucky’s Not Lucky

I don’t really know why
All I wanna know’s why
You don’t ever ask how I’m doing

Am I that worthless?
Do I deserve this?
I know I screwed up but I’m human

I hurt everyone I know
I underperform my shows
I never made it to the top
I stop before the end of the page

Nobody likes my poem anyways 

I don’t really know why
You try to make me cry
And we haven’t spoken since last autumn

Was it your focus?
To make me so hopeless
To kick me while I’m already at rock bottom? 

I hurt everyone I know
I underperform my shows
I never made it to the top
I stop before the end of the page

Why can’t you love me anyways?

No one understands
No one understands
My tongue is tied
So are my hands 

No one understands
No one understands
My tongue is tied
So are my hands

No one understands 

I am who I’ve always been
I’m playing a lousy hand
I didn’t get dealt a full house
I shout out to the man

But he doesn’t give a damn 

No one understands
No one understands
My tongue is tied
So are my hands

No one understands

No one understands
No one understands
My tongue’s tied
So are my hands 

No one understands 

Can anyone understand?

No One Understands

I was swimming along
I got caught on his hook 
They said this would happen
The first time I didn’t look

He smiled in my direction 
The ground suddenly shook
He said, “How you doing?”
And that was all it took

I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine
He’s tall, dark, and handsome
Inside out he shines

It should be illegal 
For him to look so fine
I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine

Outsiders criticize
Onlookers cause a fuss
They say we’re ill-advised 
No one understands but us

If you saw our laughter
Or the way he makes me blush
You’d realize your opinions 
are superfluous

I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine
I wrote him an album
As a pick up line

You can try to come between us
But you’re wasting your time
I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine

We frolic through the flowers
We hold each other’s hand
We sweet talk after hours
Fantasize future plans

I would testify to God,
Or on the witness stand,
Hand across my heart
I’m in love with this man 

I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine
He’s tall, dark, and handsome
Inside out he shines

It should be illegal 
For him to look so fine
I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine

I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine
I wrote him an album
as a pick up line

You can try to come between us
But you’re wasting your time
I am my beloved’s
My beloved is mine

My Beloved

You were always good with words
They rolled off your tongue like honey
I dreamt of Heaven with you and me
‘Cause you were so God damn funny

I caught you in a little white lie
Then I let out a pitiful cry
And asked, “How could you?”
And you replied…

I cannot tell a lie
I’m an honest guy
Who chopped the cherry tree?
I swear it wasn’t me

It isn’t make believe
There’s no web I weaved 
Baby please don’t go
I’m not Pinocchio

I couldn’t believe what I’d seen
I caught you right there in the act
You smirked and said, “That’s your opinion”
I scoffed and shouted, “That’s a fact”

Then you pulled me close and held me tight
You locked the doors, turned off all the lights
I asked for the truth, you rolled your eyes 
Then you replied…

I cannot tell a lie
I’m an honest guy
Who chopped the cherry tree?
I swear it wasn’t me

It isn’t make believe
There’s no web I weaved 
Baby please don’t go
I’m not Pinocchio

3 AM, my mind was racing
I knew I had to get out of here
I thought I was controlling the puppet
The whole time he was the puppeteer

His whole life’s a lie
He’s gone too far this time
A bad boy who cried wolf
I swear I’ve had enough

It’s all make believe
It’s a web he weaved 
I just have to go
Goodbye Pinocchio

His whole life’s a lie
He’s gone too far this time
A bad boy who cried wolf
I swear I’ve had enough

It’s all make believe
It’s a web he weaved 
I just have to go
Goodbye Pinocchio

Pinocchio

Tick tock, time clock, at the sandwich shop
Dirty dishes, fake fishes, chops and tops
The regulars always ordered slop
I’ll make it out of here, I pray

Bad math, fake cash, called the cops and mopped
That lady’s on drugs so she flipped me off
Then told me to learn how to do my job
I thought she’s gonna rue the day

Walked out, cloud of dust and left a note
Moved to Baton Rouge without a boat 
It’ll be a story or an anecdote
I’m fine with it either way

Sale signs, long lines, consignment store
Secondhand smoke, Poison by Dior
Folded frills till I couldn’t take no more
I’ll make it out of here, I pray

Got cursed by the Mom of the Brady Bunch
I didn’t have a clue, but I had a hunch
Decided I was done, so I left at lunch
I’ll get going, come what may

Walked out, cloud of dust, and left a note
Waltzed to Washington without a vote
It’ll be a story or an anecdote
I’m fine with it either way

Silk suits, navy blue, at city hall
Big wigs made me look pretty small
Campaigners couldn’t care less at all
I’ll make it out of here, I pray

No stars, junked cars, in the parking lot
Needles, German beetles, teens sparking pot
Barren wasteland where you’re bound to rot
Everybody’s a cliche 

Walked out, cloud of dust, and left a note
Skied to Saratoga without a coat
It’ll be a story, or an antidote
I’m fine with it either way

It’ll be a story, or an antidote
I’m fine with it either way

Anecdote

Snowstorm

I went outside again today
The clouds were still familiar gray

Since you left, it’s been this way 
There’s no relief from the weather

The sunny days are long gone
Hail poured from dusk until dawn

Forecast said I should move on
And try to find some place better

I hope you’re somewhere so warm
But I’m stuck in the snowstorm

All the birds are southbound
But I’m here year round

Like an evergreen
Fallen on the hard ground

No one heard me scream 
Did it even make a sound?

My brain was fogged, my body weak
I tumbled from the highest peak

Plunged into the frigid creek
And stayed there for awhile

I tried to move, but time stood still
To ease the pain, I popped a pill

Then I hiked back to the top of the hill
And howled your name for miles

I hope you’re somewhere so warm
But I’m stuck in the snowstorm

All the birds are southbound
But I’m here year round

Like an evergreen
Fallen on the hard ground

No one heard me scream 
Did it even make a sound?

Did it make a sound?
Did it make a sound?

Did it make a sound?
Did it make a sound?

I hope you’re somewhere so warm
But I’m stuck in the snowstorm

All the birds are southbound
But I’m here year round

Like an evergreen
Fallen on the hard ground

No one heard me scream 
Did it even make a sound?

Did it make a sound?

Snowstorm

Even If It’s In A Dream

In darkness, where the whispers creep
I lay alone attempting sleep
Cursing God and counting sheep
and wondering where you are

The fan blades hum a haunting tune
The clock is warning morning’s soon
My only friends are the silent moon
and streetlights that drown the stars

At the ceiling tiles, I stare
Then shut my eyes and cry a prayer
and beg the Lord to take me there
Even if it’s in a dream 

The screeches of my howls and moans
pierce straight through the cobblestone
A cut much deeper than the bone
echoes through my screams

If I could simply go to bed
I’d find your file inside my head
Archived there so you can’t be dead
But nothing’s as it seems

At the ceiling tiles, I stare
Then shut my eyes and cry a prayer
and beg the Lord to take me there
Even if it’s in a dream 

I fade away to damned December
Maybe I just misremembered
But you linger there like a smoldering ember
whose smoke will never cease 

Outside my door, five gunshots blare
Another reminder that life’s not fair
Now I’m wide awake, guess there’s nowhere
I can rest in peace 

At the ceiling tiles, I stare
Then shut my eyes and cry a prayer
and beg the Lord to take me there
Even if it’s in a dream 

Even if it’s in a dream

Even If It’s In A Dream

I’ve been used and bruised underneath the skin
I’ve been broken and spoken for by jealous men

Who didn’t have a clue
But they made me black and blue

I’ve been burned so I learned to live on the rocks
I’ve been kicked and tricked so I changed all the locks

And threw out the key
So nobody could get to me 

But then one day, you showed up in my life
In the darkest cave, you shined a bright light
And when everyone said she’s not worth the fight
Oh, not you

You made me feel brand new

I’ve been crossed out and tossed out like ashes in the wind
I’ve been cheated and treated like a means to an end

Like I was worthless
Like I had no purpose

I’ve been broke down, beat up, and drug through the street
I’ve been sanded, stranded, and stuck with no heat

For so long
I only wrote sad songs

But then one day, you just captured my heart
Took my tortured poem and framed it as art
And when everyone said she’s not even smart
Oh, not you

You made me feel brand new
You made me feel brand new

Like a penny that’s never been spent
Like a rule that’s never been bent
Like the first night we slept in the tent
Oh, it’s true

Like designer clothes that still have the tags
Like the start of the race and I’m the green flag
Like I’m riddled with riches when I’m really made of rags
Oh, it’s true

Oh, it’s true
I love you

Because one day, you showed up in my life
In the darkest cave, you shined a bright light
And when everyone said she’s not worth the fight
Oh, not you

Because one day, you captured my heart
You took my tortured poems and framed them as art
And when everyone said she’s not even smart
Oh, not you

You made me feel brand new
You made me feel brand new

I love you
‘Cause you made me feel brand new

Brand New

I know you think about me
When you drive by my old house

I bet you park the car and wonder 
“Where is she right now?”

While you’re stuck in our hometown
I’m performing on a big stage 

And when you check the headlines
I’m there on the front page

I’m going on World Tour
Everybody wants way more
Don’t you know you blew it?
I’m the best to ever do it

I’m going on World Tour
Everybody wants an encore 
There’s really nothing to it
I’m the best to ever do it

You’re still chugging cheap beer
In that bar on Main

I’m bowing to the crowd’s cheers
and sipping sweet champagne

You said I’d never make it
But I proved you wrong

You’re stuck in our hometown
I’m rockin’ out in Hong Kong

I’m going on World Tour
Everybody wants way more
Don’t you know you blew it?
I’m the best to ever do it

I’m going on World Tour
Everybody wants an encore 
There’s really nothing to it
I’m the best to ever do it

I really can’t come over
I’m tied up in Rio

After that, it’s Argentina 
Oh, you didn’t know?

While you were playing poker
I booked another show

And it’s down at the arena
Buy a ticket, you can go!

Welcome to the World Tour
You know you want way more
But you went and blew it
I swear I thought you knew it

Welcome to the World Tour
You know you want an encore
On stage, I say screw it
I’m the best to ever do it

Welcome to the World Tour
Everybody wants way more
Baby boy, you blew it
I’m the best to ever do it

This is the World Tour
Everybody wants an encore 
There’s really nothing to it
I’m the best to ever do it

World Tour

8:08, running late
Flying down the interstate
Distracting myself reading the billboards

Total Wine, zip lines
Call me for a good time
Up ahead, take the exit for the Biltmore

I start wondering what in the world that thing was built for, ‘cause it sure ain’t for people like me

I work for a livin’, always stressed
Dad’s in prison, mom’s depressed

Home of the brave, land of the free
You can be who you want to be 

But it was never
But it was never up to me

They stole my money then let the breeze in
They ate my honey then let the bees in
They burnt down the house I built
then blamed the girl next door 

Don’t look, there’s nothing to see here
I should just feel lucky to be here
I’m not crazy, it’s the plan
It’s not me, it’s the man

Big banks, high ranks, 
meanwhile you’ve got an empty tank
and a worn out speaker that doesn’t turn up

White trash, no cash, 
except what’s in the mattress stash
stained with coffee from your styrofoam cup

You work for a livin’, on the clock
Not dead in the water, but on the rocks 

The guarantee of red, white, and blue
You can do what you want to do

But it was never
But it was never up to you

They stole your money then let the breeze in
They ate your honey then let the bees in
They burnt down the house you built
Then blamed the girl next door 

Don’t look, there’s nothing to see here
You should just feel lucky to be here
You’re not crazy, it’s the plan
It’s not you, it’s the man

Another lie that we got told
A hundred scams that we got sold
We all wore the same colors 
but we played for different teams

They plagiarized this show
We were too brainwashed to know
When they wrapped it with a bow
and said it’s the American Dream

They stole our money then let the breeze in
They ate our honey then let the bees in
They burnt down the house we built
then blamed the girl next door 

Don’t look, there’s nothing to see here
We should just feel lucky to be here
We’re not crazy, it’s the plan
It’s not us, it’s the man

We’re not crazy, we’re just stuck
And our well’s run dry on luck
We’re not nuts, it’s the plan
It’s not us, it’s the man

The Man

Down the Hall

Well I tried, I tried, I tried
I must’ve tried a thousand times
But I couldn’t ever seem to find
a way back home to you 

To the days of hide and seek
When I’d get mad ‘cause I’d catch you peek 
We wouldn’t talk for the rest of the week
Just like two kids would do 

Now that I’m older
I’ve learned things I wish I knew
And if I could do it over
I wouldn’t waste that time with you 

But I didn’t know nothing lasts forever
I didn’t know time comes for us all
I used to think we’d always be together
and you’d always live down the hall

In the nights after you left, 
I trashed our place and barely slept
Screamed at the pillow as I wept
thinking ‘bout the time

We dressed up like debutantes
Reserved two seats at the restaurant 
You said order anything I want
then didn’t leave a dime

Now that I’m older
I’ve learned things I wish I knew
And if I could do it over,
I’d do it every time with you

I didn’t know nothing lasts forever
I didn’t know time comes for us all
I used to think we’d always be together
and you’d always live down the hall

I still wear your favorite sweater
we bought down at the mall
And I still say the prayer you taught me 
in case He ever calls

‘Cause now I know, nothing lasts forever
Now I know, time comes for us all
I used to think we’d always be together
and you’d always live down the hall

I used to think we’d always be together
and you’d always live down the hall

Down the Hall

Well, it’s sunny in San Diego
and you can be a star in L.A.
You might strike gold in San Francisco
or make money in San Jose

So go 
Get on the road
So go
Get on the road

So go 
Get on the road
Just go
Get on the road

Everything’s bigger in Texas
You can raise hell in San Antone 
They’ve got rocketships in Houston 
and there’s plenty of space to roam 

So go 
Get on the road
So go
Get on the road

So go
Get on the road
Just go
Get on the road

Go dig up your roots and
plant them somewhere else
Your garden’s looking parched 
so find yourself a well 

There’s no water in the desert, 
no beer in the Bible Belt
Go dig up your roots and 
plant them somewhere else  

Just go 
Get on the road
Just go
Get on the road

Just go
Get on the road
Just go
Get on the road

Get on the Road

There once was a man named Johnny
with the last name Appleseed
and he dreamed of a sprawling orchard
with his ink stained on the deed

The kind of place where kids could play
and animals could feed
and he’d give Grandpa a Granny Smith 
if he ever was in need

In a White House far from Johnny’s land,
there lived a man named George
When he caught wind of Johnny’s plans,
he showed up at his door

He said, “Hi, nice to meet you”
I have some news to share
So if you’ll just give me a minute,
I can be out of your hair

There’s taxes on the axes
and tariffs on the trees,
and if you want to work this land, boy,
you’ll have to pay the fees

Here’s an invoice for the water
and a big bill for the bees,
and when you go to cut the check,
you can make it out to me

Well, Johnny was a good man
and he bled red, white, and blue,
so he always made his payments
long before they were due

Then he went about his business
It was pie and jam galore
But hardly any time had passed
‘til George demanded more

There’s taxes on the axes
and tariffs on the trees,
and if you want to work this land, boy,
you’ll have to pay the fees

This is a real nice place you’ve got,
so if you want to keep the keys,
you better cut another check
and you can make it out to me

Of every four fruit from his harvest,
George requested two,
and Johnny wasn’t thrilled,
but he did what he had to do

So he got back to planting
Thinking he was through the worst
But George was a greedy guy
with an unquenchable thirst  

There’s taxes on the axes
and tariffs on the trees
and if you want to work this land, boy,
you’ll have to pay the fees

We need cider for the fighters
and cores to feed the corps
and a levy on the levy
will help us fund the war

Johnny didn’t like to
pay for violence overseas,
so in the secret of the night
he took in refugees

He disguised them as his plow boys
and gave them a fair wage
It was Yankee Doodle dandy
‘til he woke up in a cage

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
Don’t you know I can’t be beat?
All you had to do was pay your way
and give me food to eat

Now, you’re a tainted traitor
and your barn is for the arms
You’re stuck in this prison cell
and the government owns your farm

Well, Johnny’s just a victim
of George’s master scheme
Let this be a lesson to
those who dare to dream 

There’s taxes on your ashes
and tariffs just to breathe
and if you want to live, boy,
you’ll have to pay the fees

Johnny Appleseed

I listen to the wind blow
I see the coldness in your eyes
I used to be a rainbow
Now I’m a cloud over your sky 
I don’t want to shield the sun
But where did we go wrong?
Baby, if I’m not the one 
Don’t string me along

If you don’t love me
Don’t pretend you do
If you don’t want me
Find somebody new
It’ll take some time 
And a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine
‘Cause I can find
Someone who wants me too
If you don’t love me
Don’t pretend you do 

I feel it as the door slams
When you come home at night
You don’t hold me like you used to
When we turn out the lights
I don’t want to lay here
Act like everything’s okay
If you don’t want to be here
That’s all you have to say

If you don’t love me
Don’t pretend you do
If you don’t want me
Find somebody new
It’ll take some time 
And a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine
‘Cause I can find
Someone who wants me too
If you don’t love me
Don’t pretend you do 

If it were up to me
We’d always be
Two carefree kids 
Sitting in a tree
But I know it’s not true
And it wouldn’t be me
If it were up to you

If you don’t love me
Don’t pretend you do
If you don’t want me
Find somebody new
It’ll take some time 
And a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine
‘Cause I can find
Someone who wants me too
If you don’t love me
Don’t pretend you do

If You Don’t Love Me

High Enough

I’m on a flight to San Francisco
I’ve never been to the bay
You said anywhere I want to go
You’d take me there one day

It was an empty promise
You never got to keep
Now, I lay against the window 
and just try to fall asleep 

But I’m not tired
You’re not in the clouds
I want to go higher
They said it’s not allowed

This plane can’t fly high enough to see heaven
The pilot can’t go back in time and land in 2007
And all I want is to be where you are
But there’s no flight that will take me that far
The tank’s too small, the air’s too rough
and this plane can’t fly high enough 

You were big and I was little
So you’d take the aisle and I’d take the middle
And you’d scratch my back while I lay on your shoulder
If only I had known both of us were getting older

I would have cherished you
Just a little more
Now you’re so far away when
you should be right next door 

And this plane can’t fly high enough to see heaven
The pilot can’t go back in time and land in 2007
And all I want is to be where you are
But there’s no flight that will take me that far
The tank’s too small, the air’s too rough
and this plane can’t fly high enough 

All I have is this memory
in my head of the way you sound
How you’d hold my hand when I got scared
we were gonna hit the ground 
Now when I look to my left
someone else is in your chair
And you should be here with me
but you aren’t and life’s not fair

And this plane can’t fly high enough to see heaven
The pilot can’t go back in time and land in 2007
And all I want is to be where you are
But there’s no flight that will take me that far
The tank’s too small, the air’s too rough
and this plane can’t fly high enough

Lyrics & Music © 2025 Brooke Justus. All Rights Reserved.

High Enough

Someone I Could Trust

I kissed you after hours of sipping whiskey sours and told you you were my best friend
I was lying in your bedding, dreaming ‘bout a wedding when you whispered it’s the end

I begged you to explain
Please tell me what changed
Was anything ever true?
You said it’s never been you

I thought I was keeping up but you left me in the dust 
I was shiny and brand new till you put me out to rust
I’m not used to stable but I was getting used to us
And I thought you were someone…
Someone I could trust

I hadn’t even left, when you lit a cigarette,
and blew the smoke right in my face
To the door I stumbled, through my tears I mumbled, 
you’re making a big mistake 

I begged you to explain
Please tell me what changed
Was anything ever true?
You said it’s me not you

I thought I was keeping up but you left me in the dust 
I was shiny and brand new till you put me out to rust
I’m not used to stable but I was getting used to us
And I thought you were someone…
Someone I could trust

I showed up to work late, put too much on my plate
Bought new clothes and cut my hair
Found someone who adores me, always reassures me
He says he’s not going anywhere 

But I don’t know if he’s honest
‘Cause you broke that same promise 
You swore you’d always keep
And now these scars run deep 

I thought I was keeping up but you left me in the dust 
I was shiny and brand new till you put me out to rust
I’m not used to stable but I was getting used to us
And I thought you were someone…
But you were never someone…
Someone I could trust

No you were never someone…
Someone I could trust

Someone I Could Trust

The Ice is Breaking

I’m like a wildflower with nowhere to grow
You’re like a pine tree that thrives in the snow
wondering why I’m not used to the cold
and why I can’t stay still, do what I’m told

The ice is breaking, don’t blink
The ice is breaking, don’t blink
One sudden motion
we’ll be in the ocean 
without a ship and we’ll sink
without a ship and we’ll sink

I ignored the view while we ran to the peak 
You were the end to my long losing streak
But you’re stuck in your ways like there’s one way to live
and I just don’t know how much more I can give 

The ice is breaking, don’t blink
The ice is breaking, don’t blink
One sudden motion
we’ll be in the ocean 
without a ship and we’ll sink
without a ship and we’ll sink

My coat is tattered, it’s weathered, it’s worn
Just hold me close, I can wait out the storm
We’re battered, we’re broken, but still I know
If we go under, I’ll never let go 

The ice is breaking, don’t blink
The ice is breaking, don’t blink
One sudden motion
we’ll be in the ocean 
without a ship and we’ll sink
without a ship and we’ll sink

Lyrics © 2025 Brooke Justus. All Rights Reserved.

The Ice is Breaking

Living on My Deathbed

All the best days of my life have passed me by
This messed up world still wants my best try 
Give a hundred percent
You gotta pay rent
Drag your ass to church on Sunday, repent

I’m trying
Why does it feel like I’m dying? 

I don’t want to live down here but baby I’m stranded 
These are the lousiest cards I’ve ever been handed
The rain pours down, the ground gets wetter,
I wear this shame like a scarlet letter
Painted on my head
Living on my deathbed

The doc gave one for pain and one for depression 
‘Cause I’ve never been good at cleaning up messes
And now, I’ve got bills
To pay for these pills
But I never get better, they’re making me ill

He’s lying
I still feel like I’m dying 

I don’t want to live down here but baby I’m stranded 
These are the lousiest cards I’ve ever been handed
The rain pours down, the ground gets wetter,
I wear this pain like a barbed wire sweater
Hanging by a thread
Living on my deathbed

I’m filled with holes like a pair of blue jeans
I patch one up then rip a new seam 
Then drive off course into the well
I swear rock bottom feels just like hell

So far down and there’s no way out
I claw the walls and I scream and shout
I curse at God and he yells right back
You’re gonna learn never talk to me like that

I don’t want to live down here but baby I’m stranded 
These are the lousiest cards I’ve ever been handed
The rain pours down, the ground gets wetter
Thought it couldn’t get worse but I should’ve known better 
Just like I said

I don’t want to live down here but baby I’m stranded 
These are the lousiest cards I’ve ever been handed
The rain pours down, the ground gets wetter
I wear this shame like a scarlet letter
Just like I said
I’m living on my deathbed 

Lyrics © 2025 Brooke Justus. All Rights Reserved.

Living on My Deathbed

Break My Record

Gentlemen, please start your engines
We’ll go on the count of three 
Buckle up, get ready for action 
Do you think you can keep up with me?

Vroom, vroom, vroom, ready or not
Pedal to the metal, give it all you got
Bang, bang, bang, sounds so frightening 
I’m striking faster than Texas lightning

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

If you don’t like the heat, leave the kitchen
If you can’t keep the pace, switch lanes
I’m the leader of a no fail mission
Do you think you can handle the pain?

Vroom, vroom, vroom, ready or not
Pedal to the metal, give it all you got
Bang, bang, bang, fire that pistol
I’m driving faster than Dale at Bristol 

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

Boy, you look dumbstruck
by my full scale invasion
Boy, this ain’t dumb luck
This is total domination

Vroom, vroom, vroom, ready or not
Pedal to the metal, give it all you got
Bang, bang, bang, shoot that gun
One of us is losing and I ain’t the one

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

You might be quick, but honey I’m quicker
The track is slick, but baby I’m slicker
My tank is full and the flag is checkered
And ain’t nobody gonna break my record

I said ain’t nobody gonna break my record

Lyrics © 2025 Brooke Justus. All Rights Reserved.

Break My Record

Is Anyone Out There?

My prayers took a long black train to God,
Then they got struck by lightning on the way

They went off track and down the hillside
To a town called yesterday…

And I was in the flooded woods for so long, 
screaming out His name in vein…

Just begging for a summer drought,
But he kept sending rain…

For the first time in awhile, I’m on my knees
For the love of my life, I’m begging please

Is there anyone out there?
(Is there anyone out there?)

Can anyone hear me?
(Can anyone hear me?)

Is anyone listening?
(Is anyone listening?)

Is there anyone out there?
For me? 

When I gave up screaming, I followed the river west
Before the darkest hour, I should see one last sunset

Then I’ll plunge into the rapids 
Without a raft to float

Just when I was ‘bout to jump
Your voice rang from a boat 

Is there anyone out there?
(Is there anyone out there?)

Can anyone hear me?
(Can anyone hear me?)

Is anyone listening?
(Is anyone listening?)

Is there anyone out there?
(Is there anyone out there?)

For me? 

I called out to you with a cry so tragic
And somehow in the night, we uncovered magic

The only kind that could repair,
two broken hearts, like an answered prayer

Is there anyone out there?
(Baby, I’m out here)

Can anyone hear me?
(Baby, I hear you)

Is anyone listening?
(Baby, I’m listening)

Is there anyone out there?
(Baby, I’m right here)

Is there anyone out there?
(Baby, I’m out here)

Can anyone hear me?
(Baby, I hear you)

Is anyone listening?
(Baby, I’m listening)

Is there anyone out there? 
(Baby, I’m right here)

For me?

For me?

Lyrics & Music © 2025 Brooke Justus. All Rights Reserved.

Is Anyone Out There?

You pretend to hate me
But you’re in my DM’s lately
I don’t want your love games on my phone anymore

You post all your updates
I’m closing the floodgates 
The water’s getting high so I’m slamming the door

I don’t 
Want to
Scroll through
See you

I don’t
Need to
Need you
I’m done

I blocked you on Twitter, you’re my X
Message my number, all your texts
turn green like grass on my side 
I laugh, you cry ‘cause I don’t reply

Search Snapchat, ain’t got no luck
We’re not friends even on Facebook
When you stop scrolling, it sinks in
You screwed around, got blocked on LinkedIn

I’m sipping expensive liquor
You’re drunk in every picture
Do you really think you’re better than me?

I don’t tolerate dumb men so
I erased you from my Venmo
I can buy my own flowers and sweet little treats 

I don’t 
Want to
Scroll through
See you

I don’t
Need to
Need you
I’m done 

I blocked you on Twitter, you’re my X
Message my number, all your texts
Turn green like grass on my side 
I laugh, you cry ‘cause I don’t reply

Search Snapchat, ain’t got no luck
We’re not friends even on Facebook
When you stop scrolling, it sinks in
You screwed around, got blocked on LinkedIn

I laid out your dirty laundry in a phone call with my mom
I told her the entire story and the ways you did me wrong
If I decide to tell her, you’re basically dead and gone 
She said you’re such a loser, then helped me write this song

I blocked you on Twitter, you’re my X
Message my number, all your texts
Turn green like grass on my side 
I laugh, you cry ‘cause I don’t reply

Search Snapchat, ain’t got no luck
We’re not friends even on Facebook
When you stop scrolling, it sinks in
You screwed around, got blocked on LinkedIn

Blocked on LinkedIn

Welcome to my Song Garden 🌹🤍🏁
A place where stories grow. 

______________________________

Brooke Justus is a skilled lyricist who burst onto the music scene in June 2024. Since then, she has crafted more than 50 original songs that explore the highs and lows of life with raw honesty, poetic depth, and a touch of whimsy. From the playful, cocktail-infused romance of Old Fashioned to the gut-wrenching vulnerability of Even If It’s In A Dream, her music is as diverse as the emotions that fuel it.

Each song is more than just a melody—it’s an experience, meant to be read as you listen. Hidden within the lyrics are subtle clues, layered meanings, and echoes of other songs, weaving a tapestry of stories that unfold over time. Together, they tell one larger narrative: her unfiltered emotional spectrum, captured in real time.

Paired with custom, AI-enhanced music and artwork, Brooke’s lyrics aren’t just heard—they’re felt and seen, inviting listeners on a journey through love, loss, ambition, and everything in between.

_____________________________

Listen, Like, Repost, Follow 

Email: brookewritingsongs@outlook.com

Brooke Justus

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