Epiphany—Song of ’71

posted in: Member Writing Features, Song | 1

By Adrian Brookes.

Feel the mood of autumn descending
Alchemy turning green into gold
A summer of youth is finally ending
Shying from fingers of cold
And so at last comes the day
When there’s no more reason to stay
And nothing remaining to stand in the way
Of the call of the yellow brick road

With a bag, guitar, just what you can carry
Destiny leads you down to the shore
A brand-new passport, an overnight ferry
And you wake on the wings of the dawn
There’s magic abroad in the air
That turns every thought into prayer
Just dream the dream and it’ll take you right there
And still keep on giving you more

‘Get a job, settle down, conform to the norm’
I’m so sick of hearing them say
‘You need to do what’s expected of you’
Then I expect I’ll sail away
Far from a life trapped in drudgery’s claw
Where hope only struggles in vain
All I could think as I slammed the door
Was: at last I’ve done something sane

Seeking no more than life worth the living
Liberty burning deep in your soul
No more to give than a heart full of giving
Of brokenness made whole
Fed up with serving the lie
Where hopes and desires go to die
You’ve kicked off its chains, now you’re learning to fly
And letting your fortunes unfold

So don’t deny this man in the making
Epiphany—see yourself as you are
In and around you a new world’s waking
Under the morning star
Now you can see all along
Who’s been writing your song
It’s finally brought you to where you belong
Guiding you home from afar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adrian Brookes grew up in the English West Midlands but has lived most of his life in Australia. A former journalist and English teacher, he writes short fiction and songs.

  1. Guenter

    Thanks Adrian. Reading your poem has made me feel about 5 decades younger (at least for the time it took to read and to savour it!)

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