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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

More Than A Memory

When I go back to that place
The first time I saw your face
You were wearing Kelly green
Color of your favorite team
We would hang out after school
Cannonballs into the pool
We were young and still had dreams
‘Til you drowned us in the stream 

It’s been so long now
I can barely recall
Sometimes I’m not sure
It happened at all
We’re so much further
than a stone’s throw
But still I wonder 
where does your mind go?

When you drive through town,
Past the old playground,
Do you take a look around?
Does it make you think of me?
When you see the swing set,
Where our souls first met,
Does it sting with regret—
‘bout setting me free?
And when you walk through the park,
do you check for our mark?
Two initials in a heart
Like a scar upon the tree
And when you see it there…
Are we more than a memory?

I saw your sister in July
Couldn’t look me in the eye
Said you bought a new house
Moved into it with your spouse
But I still see us in your car
Driving to our favorite bar
Belting every single song
Like we did all summer long

It’s been so long since
the last time we spoke
Most of the details
are clouded by smoke
I have recovered 
from the shock of the blow
But still I wonder
where does your mind go?

When you drive through town,
Past the old playground,
Do you take a look around?
Does it make you think of me?
When you see the swing set,
Where our souls first met,
Does it sting with regret—
‘bout setting me free?
And when you walk through the park,
do you check for our mark?
Carved so deep into the bark
Like a scar upon the tree
And when you see it there…
Are we more than a memory?

I don’t expect you to show up on a white horse
Our story’s over, it’s run the whole course 
But I’ve always questioned, if you felt any remorse about us
I know you must…

When you drive through town,
Past the old playground,
And you take a look around
I know it makes you think of me
When you see the swing set,
Where our souls first met,
Bet the sting of regret
Is as painful as can be
And when you walk through the park,
and you check for our mark
B and K inside a heart
like a scar upon the tree
And when you see it there…
We’re more than a memory

When you see it there…
We’re more than a memory

2025 © Golden Quill Productions, LLC.

more than a memory

Shapeshifter

Shapeshifter
Playin’ twister
Handsome mister
Had his arm around me

He can’t resist her
Tempting whispers
Turned to kiss her
I broke down suddenly 

He said I was the one, I fell for his persuasion
Propaganda, telling lies, politician faking
Bet he looks her in the eyes, repeats that shit verbatim 
When I realized, I just let her take him

They stand in glory like they won a contest 
I start to question was he ever honest
I wanted healing, but he wanted trauma 
Careful what you wish for, now we got it

Ugly dresses
Tumbleweeds
At the alter dreaming 
He’s chasing the dream with me

My name in stars 
Boulevards
When we speak it’s just my 
guitar memoirs in his car 

He said I was the one, I fell for his persuasion
Propaganda, telling lies, politician faking
Bet he looks her in the eyes, repeats that shit verbatim 
When I realized, I just let her take him

They stand in glory like they won a contest 
I start to question was he ever honest
I wanted healing, but he wanted trauma 
Careful what you wish for, now we got it

Walking down the aisle,
Hands and knees shaking
I don’t think he knows what 
a big mistake he’s making

But I don’t really care 
I don’t even need him
Yeah, he got a wife
Baby, I got freedom

I stand in glory cause I won a contest 
They love my music cause I’m so honest
I wanted healing but he wanted trauma 
Careful what you wish for, now we got it

Now we got it

shapeshifter

Dear Diary

no more no more

The box says yes or no but I’ve been checking maybe
I love, I hate, I love you—got me going crazy
Do I want to be your best friend or your baby?
My mind changes ‘bout a thousand times daily

One step forward, two steps back
Right on course then way off track
I want to jump but I’m scared to fall
We could fold right now or risk it all

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
50-50 odds ain’t never been good
On the fence is where we’ve always stood
Maybe we shouldn’t but maybe we should
Maybe we should 

I don’t know whether to take it or leave it
Should I ignore this craving or feed it?
Do I need to see it or do I just believe it?
Where is Cupid with that arrow when you need it?

One step forward, two steps back
Right on course then way off track
I want to play but I’m scared to lose
We could stay parked or we could cruise

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
50-50 odds ain’t never been good
On the fence is where we’ve always stood
Maybe we shouldn’t but maybe we should
Maybe we should

We could take the road less traveled by
But we’ve been friends since junior high
And it might end with a diamond ring
Or it might ruin everything 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
50-50 odds ain’t never been good
On the fence is where we’ve always stood
Maybe we shouldn’t but maybe we should

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
50-50 odds ain’t never been good
On the fence is where we’ve always stood
Maybe we shouldn’t but maybe we should

Maybe we shouldn’t but maybe we should
Maybe we should
Maybe we shouldn’t but maybe we should
Maybe we should

maybe we should

I listen to the wind blow
I hear the creaks of the old screen door
What was once a storybook house
Is now the neighborhood eyesore 

I peer out through the window
You park the car in our driveway
I watch you check the mailbox
The same routine on a different day 

Then you come inside and you snort a line
And you’re stoned on misery by nine
While I’m wide awake mind racing after two
Wishing I was braver so I could say to you

If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do
If you don’t need me, find somebody new
It’ll take some time and a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine ‘cause I can find
A man who knows he wants me too
If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do 

I feel it when you come home 
You walk right by and don’t say hello
I find stains on the carpet
Blood red from your spilled Merlot

And I see it in your tired eyes
There’s no joy in that vacant stare
So you down another bottle
Pass out cold in the lazy chair 

Then I head upstairs to cry a prayer
and ask God why life’s so unfair 
And why I had to draw the hand I drew
And beg him for courage so I can say to you

If you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do
If you don’t need me, find somebody new
It’ll take some time and a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine ‘cause I can find
A man who knows he 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’ve learned fairytales just don’t come 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 need me, find somebody new
It’ll take some time and a lot of wine
But I’ll be fine ‘cause I can find
A man who knows he wants me too
So if you don’t love me, don’t pretend you do

if you don’t love me

burst your bubble

Dear Diary, 

I have a story to confess
I just need to get it off my chest
I did something so salacious
Let’s keep it on a need to know basis

Dear Diary, 

I have a dirty little secret
You’re the only one I trust to keep it
Hush hush, on the down low
Hidden underneath the pillow

Last night I was sleeping in his bed
and scratching his head
and kissing his neck
I was starry eyed, he was Van Gogh
He’s my ex, I should’ve said no 

But once he started grabbing my hips
and licking his lips
I couldn’t resist
I went further than I should go
Signed his body

Xoxo

Dear Diary,

I’m telling you this in confidence
Please don’t share it with an audience
It’s so much more than they can handle
If they found out it’d be a scandal

Dear Diary,

Typically, I’m a good girl
I wear my sunday dress and pearls
But between us, I‘d do it all again
He felt more like heaven than a sin 

Last night I was sleeping in his bed
and scratching his head
and kissing his neck
I was shipwrecked, he was Leo
It was going down, I couldn’t let go

‘Cause once he started
grabbing my hips
and licking his lips
I couldn’t resist
I went further than I should go
Signed his body

Xoxo

I’d take the fifth if I had to testify
I’d make up a lie, I’d give an alibi
I’d be clueless
But the truth is…

Last night I was sleeping in his bed
and scratching his head
and kissing his neck
I was starry eyed, he was Van Gogh
He’s my ex, I should’ve said no 

But once he started grabbing my hips
and licking his lips
I couldn’t resist
I went further than I should go
Signed his body

Xoxo

Last night I was sleeping in his bed
and scratching his head
and kissing his neck
I was shipwrecked, he was Leo
It was going down, I couldn’t let go

‘Cause once he started grabbing my hips
and licking his lips
I couldn’t resist
I went further than I should go
Signed his body

Xoxo

dear diary

The Middle of Nowhere 

Holding hands through native lands 
Just south of Oklahoma
Open road ahead and your face is red 
from the taillights of a Tacoma

We’re passing signs and passing time 
with a Bob Dylan CD
When I nearly choke laughing at your joke
‘bout how he can’t stay on key

Then right there on the highway 
you turn and look my way 
and there’s no place I’d rather be

I swear I don’t care
How fast we get there
So long as you’re here
In the middle of nowhere with me

Route 66, blue Pixy Sticks, 
and old school road trip games
Nothing to do, but look at you, 
the landscape’s all the same

License plates from fifty states
You say, “Let’s skip Hawaii”
Go to Idaho, but I tell you no
Taking forever’s fine by me

And right there in the moment, 
the feeling’s so potent, 
and there’s no place I’d rather be

I swear I don’t care
How fast we get there
So long as you’re here
In the middle of nowhere with me

Darling, I swear
God answered my prayers
when he put you right here
In the middle of nowhere with me

We could just drive
For the rest of our lives
If we never arrive
That’d be just fine

I swear I don’t care
How fast we get there
So long as you’re here
In the middle of nowhere with me

Darling, I swear
God answered my prayers
when he put you right here
In the middle of nowhere with me

Holding hands through frozen lands 
Somewhere north of New York City
Open road ahead and my face is red 
when you tell me I look so pretty 

We’re passing signs and passing time 
with a Bob Dylan CD
When I nearly choke at that same old joke
‘bout how he can’t stay on key

the middle of nowhere

dear diary…
xoxo, Brooke 🤍💋

Brooke Justus is a 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 romance of Dear Diary 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. 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.

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Email: brookewritingsongs@outlook.com

Brooke Justus

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