Head On Collision

Some years ago I worked with a song writing coach (Penning is a recognized sport in a few countries). One assignment was to weave a colorful tapestry of visual lyrics with every line written. (See- I just did it there.) The idea of the song came at a time when life was as calm as a mountain lake with nothing rocking the boat. (I did it again.) Now things have changed.

Last month we were relocating to Texas. Before that we thought we were staying for good in Overland Park (Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore). Prior to THAT, we were convinced we were lifers in Charlotte. Predating those years, we knew we would grow old together and be buried in Ft Worth. We started in Norman, OK, and NEVER wanted to be there any longer than we had to. Every move was calculated to bring about the dream I carried in me. One terrific marriage, 4+1 great kids (another story), and many lifelong friends later, Patty has been the unsung hero to follow through it all, cheering me on.

Sooooo, here I sit, at the Starbucks in Hopkinsville, KY, with all our worldly goods packed in storage about a mile away. "What happened?!?", you ask. Thank you for asking. The simple answer is... well, there's not a simple answer. But now this song has come back to haunt me. Or inspire me. What was submitted as an exercise has returned as a blueprint. I've heard it said that you are the prophet of your own life. Thus, armed with a song and a hope, I'm going to boldly go where few men have gone before- I'm going to chase Patty's dreams for a while! This is her home town, and by golly, she's gonna shake things up like a $9 blender! (I don't even know what that means, but it's visual!) Stay tuned for more of The MacFamily Adventures.

Did I mention we're one hour outside Nashville, where I was born?

HEAD ON COLLISION

SUNRISE CREEPS INTO THE ROOM AND WAKES ME IN MY BED

CURTAIN TIME ONCE AGAIN AND THE PLAY RUNS THROUGH MY HEAD

AS LEADING MAN I ACT THE PART OF LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

BUT A COLD SWEAT IT COVERS ME AS I LAY IN BED AT NIGHT

C

(CAUSE I'M STARING AT A)

HEAD ON COLLISION BETWEEN WHAT IS AND WHAT COULD BE

THE REAR VIEW IS AN EMPTY MIST, AHEAD IS CLEAR TO SEE

IT'S A DANGEROUS DECISION CHANGING LANES AT SUCH HIGH SPEED

EVERYTHING IS RACING TOWARD THE HEAD ON COLLISION INSIDE OF ME

V

EVERY DAY THE SHOW GOES ON AND YEARS WILL SLIP AWAY

UNTIL I FIND THE COURAGE TO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THIS CAGE

EASY STREET IS NOT MY GOAL AT THE TOP AND ALL ALONE

AND I DO NOT WANT TO GAIN THE WORLD JUST TO LOSE MY SOUL

C

(BUT THERE'S GOTTA BE A)

HEAD ON COLLISION TO STOP MY LIFE FROM PASSING BY

TO BREAK THE CHAINS THAT HOLD ME DOWN FOR WINGS THAT LET ME FLY

IT'S A RISKY PROPOSITION SINGLE LANE NO IN-BETWEEN

EVERYTHING IS RACING TOWARD THE HEAD ON COLLISION INSIDE OF ME

BRIDGE

LIVING'S MORE THAN BREATHING

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO JUST SURVIVE

I'M BRACING FOR THE IMPACT

AS TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS COLLIDE

V

IT'S A CRITICAL CONDITION

COMATOSE REALITY

TO THINK THE LIFE I'M LIVING

COULD BE THE DEATH OF ME...

C

HEAD ON COLLISION BETWEEN MY LIFE AND ALL MY DREAMS

I'LL LET THE PAST THAT HOLDS ME BACK COME CRASHING TO MY FEET

I'LL BREAK THROUGH THIS TRANSITION I KNOW WHO I'M MADE TO BE

A FREE MAN WILL WALK AWAY FROM THE HEAD ON COLLISION INSIDE OF ME

You might be uncomfortable with the lyrics, and that's ok. It's my story.
written by: John MacManamy
copyright: jmacmusic
V