I need a phone call
I need a plane ride
I need a sunburn
I need a raincoat
I need salty toes
and quiet flow
and a heart that knows
exactly where it belongs,
17 steps down to water’s edge
and a sky that might cry
if you ask it just right
a tattered notebook
and a turquoise pen
and a hollow in the sand
that fits the contours
of my heart
a new start and a fresh page
sol-soaked days
and star spilled nights
and the lullaby of waves
I’d like to hear a little guitar
I guess it’s time to put the top down
.
Cool prompt from Izy over at Toads. She bids us to share our go-to breakup song. There were so many choices for this prompt. Sad: “In Too Deep” by Genesis, for high school. Angry: anything from Alanis Morisette’s “Jagged Little Pill” album for the early 90s. These can still completely invoke the emotions I felt at the time. But the one that best feeds my melancholy: “Raining in Baltimore” by the Counting Crows. Actually, anything from “August and Everything After” still rocks my sorrow-salted heart’s world. But this one, especially. The twist: Izy has asked us to use a lyric from it in a way that ISN’T about a breakup.
17 steps! love that detail.
Thank you, Marian. It’s accurate, of our rental in Tahoe. I’ve counted.
“I need salty toes
and quiet flow
and a heart that knows
exactly where it belongs”
Your words enraptured my heart. Thanks.
Thank you so much. What a generous compliment.
This song is amazing – the depth of emotion is unforced and so familiar… Whoosh.
I love your personal list of things you need – and not those that will feed melancholy, but will bring ease and joy.
Thank you, Kerry.
You make me want to go to the beach and breathe. But by myself, with my notebook and my pen.
Yes, let’s. We could road trip there together, and then head for different hollows.
Crazy cool, De…I almost picked counting crows for this too!! That entire album was my after school teenage blues-go-to-album!!!
“17 steps down to water’s edge
and a sky that might cry
if you ask it just right
a tattered notebook
and a turquoise pen
and a hollow in the sand
that fits the contours
of my heart”
You rock, De!!! This is perfection!
Hannah! I knew we were kindred spirits, soul sister. Though I’m your OLDER sis. I was no longer a teenager when Counting Crows rocked my broken heart.
I know every word to every song, though. “Anna Begins” is my absolute favorite.
Oh, DE!!! Meee tooo!!! I know every word and Anna Begins *sigh* love IT!!!
I’m so excited to have you for an older sister (not by much), we’re truly kindred!! Love to you!!
This is totally awesome! I think I may copy it to my journal, with your link in turquoise, so I remember it! Love it!
Thanks so much, Shan. I’d be honored.
Just beautiful…some days a fresh page can give the best perspective. Love Counting Crows, Alanis too!
Thank you, Mary!
I love this, especially the ending! Yes, the top down….what a free feeling THAT is!
Thanks, Mary. I drove the Pacific Coast Highway on the California coast once, in a topless convertible. It was fun, but the company left much to be desired. This past two summers, my amazing hubbie and I did the main part of the post with the kids, in our plain old SUV. HEAVEN.
oh man…I was 14 when Round Here from this album hit MTV. It was my favorite song that year. I remember skipping school, getting high with friends, then watching that video (it was okay because I was a straight A student with going to school ever). I had two copies of that album, however I only ever listened to that song and the Mr. Jones tune. So I was appreciative that you chose a deeper cut. The song is amazing.
your poem….equally impressive. I loved the mad meshed list of things you need. But my favorite line is:
a hollow in the sand
that fits the contours
of my heart
I very much liked the looseness of this, though you can tell you put a lot of effort into making it effortless. Thanks for posting and Viva la
Thanks, Izy. This was a GREAT prompt. “Round Here” was somewhat of a mantra for me in the mid-90′s, too (except I was older than you). Isn’t it funny how songs can take us straight back? I absolutely adore this album from the Counting Crows. Pure poetry.