Page 82 of Unbound
“I’ve never actually played this song before,” he whispers into the mic, his voice thick with emotion. “This is actually the first song I ever wrote and until now, I’ve never played it.”
Rawley’s eyes find mine once again and they tell a different story from anything I’ve heard him say. His words, the look on his face, it’s enough that my heart cracks and gives him a piece of me he never had before. There’s been times with Rawley where I felt like we were both pulling on a rope, only neither of us were pulling at the same time. Now, in this moment, I think we’re finally fighting for the same thing.
Forgiveness.
He stands in the center of the stage, an acoustic guitar hanging from his shoulders but his eyes remain downcast on his hands. The opening notes of the song start out with a unique rhythm you want to slow dance to. And many do, but I can’t move. I’m rooted in place at what’s to come.
His lips part at the microphone and I anticipate what he’s going to sing, lyrics of bitterness, pain, or the indifference he practiced for so long. I’m met with none of that.
What he gives are honest lyrics falling from his lips that evoke a sadness from deep within. I bow my head.
I caused this pain.
Wecaused this pain.
My heart’s bare to the world,
You’re lookin’ the other way
Why can’t you see I loved you enough but you let it go?
Did our love mean anything to you?
I’m lost, baby, I don’t know how we got here
I just want you near
Can’t there be another way?
I’m surrounded, I’m forever stranded in May
You’re giving me words, apologies and excuses
Still nothin’s heard, it’s useless, I’m lost in blue
I don’t know what we should do
We go round and round
Why can’t you see me unbound?
Lost in you without a sound
I’m staring at the ground
Words fall from you tear-soaked lips
My heart dips
I stand there still, unbelieving, unaware, unattached
You’re giving me words, apologies and excuses
Still nothin’s heard, it’s useless, I’m lost in blue
I don’t know what we should do
We go round and round
