After All of These Years

After all of these years This is my spot, just outside these green coffee house doors, my piece of sidewalk, my place in this world A small square of concrete where I try to bring smiles to those in a hurry, hustling past, chasing their lives Opening the case, I bring out my constant companion I love her feel, smooth and perfect, she fits so nicely in my hands Her neck like soft butter against my calloused fingers A black Takemine cutaway, my favorite guitar, my best friend There was a time when I would make eye contact, cast a smile and a thank you at those who would stop and listen But times have changed, people aren’t as friendly, smiles aren’t what they used to be and the frowns just bring me down Now beyond the brim of my hat all I see are legs and shoes, it amazes me the number of different shoes and what they say about a person. Shiny shoes, usually nothing, maybe a quarter, nice high heels a dollar or two, sneakers, worn and tattered are my best customers, a five will fall most times when they pass It’s not much, but it is a living at least for me and it’s not really a job I don’t have to be here, I want to be here…playing music for strangers, for me It’s kind of like writing poetry, only you listen instead of reading and the coins and bills finding my case…comments, but better I start today the same as every other day, with our song, the one we sang together in school, the song we related too…funny She was my heart, the one that got away…so what, I never got over her It’s my deal not yours…I press the strings with my fingers and prepare to play She was the love of my life, we were meant to be, at least I thought so but after school we went in different directions, it happens I guess, that was so many years back…I lost track of her long ago, but my mind never did and I suppose my heart didn’t either…I play A few coins trickle in…shiny shoes, wingtips…feeling sorry money, but that’s okay with me, it’s food or a few beers eventually Then a ten spot hits the felt, gorgeous high heels, those with a red sole I know my smile is growing as I arrive at my favorite lines “You and me, we belong together, just like the breath needs the air” When I hear the most melodic voice singing along with me, it is the high heels, the harmony is perfect and beautiful and…sounds so damn familiar… I have to look, I lift my head up to see…it is her, after all of these years, it is her…