Guiding Star

in the days before my branches lost their leaves and left me bare
when dreams seemed so reachable right when the clouds would clear
in the days before the children and the mortgage and repairs
when all I needed was just one acoustic guitar

in the times when I could sit and wonder about a life ahead
when the road maps gave directions and it didn’t matter where they lead
in the times before frustrations made my lifelong dreams just shred
when all I needed was a gig at a local bar

I’m not saying I don’t love the life that you and I have made
with memories all filled with songs and wonder
I’m not crying in my whiskey on mistakes along the way
I’m just sitting on this cliff and watching it all
when all I needed was to know you were my guiding star

in the days before the studios and bands of no renown
when I’d take the subway to find something magical downtown
in the days before I realized that time was running down
when all I needed was some gas to put in the car