I feel the need to preface this with an explanation of sorts. I assume that most of you who read this know me well. Then there are those of you who know me on the surface, and those who don’t know me at all. I am not one of the sons and daughters of the privileged elite. I didn’t go to prep school; I don’t understand lacrosse and I’ve never even been on a yacht. My trust has no funds and my passage is far from paid as I’m not a fortunate son of industry or inheritance.
I’ve seen so many people moonlighting. I’ve watched them enjoy their tenure of slumming it in some feeble attempt of re-invention. They fail to realize when they tire of their time in the slums and return to the comfort of blood and connections, I’m always left behind. In my life the ghosts of people who’ve moved up and away abound. I’ve watched people I know become successful, famous, get married, have children, find happiness. I’m left in the dust perpetually rushing the gates always one step behind. One could never say it’s for lack of trying and it feels like I’m always almost there.
Almost there…
I get asked a lot lately why I keep doing what I do. I keep doing it because I love it. I keep doing it because it’s all I know and it’s the only thing I’ve never quit or given up on. I keep doing it because I have something to prove. I may never reach the level of success I dream of but there is a small consolation; after all the pain it’s caused and everything I’ve lost because of it, I meant every word I sang. I’ll keep singing because you’ll never be able to sing it like I sing it. Where there’s pain there is a song to be sung and the sons and daughters of unfortunate circumstances will listen and relate.
I get compliments all the time on my ripped, torn and faded all black high-top converse. If they knew the path you have to walk for your shoes to look like mine I’m sure they wouldn’t have paid the compliment.
