I Wish

Hoping (against hope) for a better world.

Just like Lennon

I spend my days

Imagining a future

That may never come my way

Just like Martin

I have a dream

That one fine day

things will not be what they seem

            You and I, hand in hand

            Can make a difference in the land

            Can make the world a little brighter

            If only we made our ranks tighter

Just like Gandhi

Who led a simple life

Spurning violence

And throwing away the knife

Just like my dad

I work my butt off

To turn an honest buck

So no one can look and scoff

           You and I, hand in hand

            Can make a difference in the land

            Can make the world a little brighter

            If only we made our ranks tighter

(you can listen to the song here: https://soundcloud.com/rodsimas/woodys-wish)

Author's Note

just experimenting. again. because.. why not?
my son plays in a jazz band. he asked me to write a song for them to play. so dad came to the rescue. I don't for the life of me know if this counts as lyrics for a song. you tell me.

THIS IS THE RIGHT LINK
https://soundcloud.com/rodsimas/woodys-wish

Reviews

[Lost, n'MT]

Wow, this is phenomenally written! A mutual friend had recommended your writings. I had chosen this "experimental" piece at random, and it is wonderfully expressed. So powerful and such an inspirational piece. I love it. I really enjoy the style of it as well, very unique and well executed.

And while I haven't read any of your other writings yet, I hope you continue to pursue more writing like this as I noticed through other comments that this isn't your usual tone. So while I look forward to reading your signature style, I seriously hope you consider writing more pieces like this. Absolutely fantastic!

[Woody]

Gee I'm flattered and embarrassed, Lost Soul. thank you very much for your kind words. and sorry about the late response. I sincerely hope you will not be disappointed by my other writes as they are rather on the light side. pieces like this one are few and far between, I'm afraid.
have you listened to this poem sung by a fellow writer/singer? the link is in the author's note.
once again, thank you L.S. I'm going to return the favour soon. I always do.

[Lost, n'MT]

No apology necessary, and you're very welcome. I noticed that as I kept reading, but I have enjoyed the majority of your writings that I have read so far. I had written more in the other review so I won't repeat myself.

However, I have not heard said singing yet, though I plan to listen later tonight and look forward to it.

While not necessary, I appreciate the offer. Thank you.

[Woody]

[Abhilash Hegde]

Inspirational write, woody!
How could we make the world a better place ? How can we make ourselves resourceful to others ?
How can we collaborate, to live in harmony and peace ? How can we be tolerant and listen to different voices ?

Gandhi, once said .. "An eye to an eye, makes the whole world blind"
So, beautiful insight, "You and I, hand in hand" - can't agree more !

Thanks for sharing this one, had a wonderful feeling after reading this!

[Woody]

thank you very much Abilash. I'm delighted you liked it. this was meant to be a song.
a fellow poet/songwriter put a melody to it and sang it. what a pity that people could not open the link. try. if you can open the link, I think you'll like it.
I'll send you the link.

[Woody]

https://soundcloud.com/rodrigo-simas-713135019/woodys-wish

[Abhilash Hegde]

that's nice.. unfortunately, the link doesn't open for me too :(

[Woody]

damn! I managed to listen to it. type: "Woody's song" in the search box.

[Woody]

Woody's wish :( not song.

[Abhilash Hegde]

haha! I tried "woody's song" and search results popped up, "5o cents" band.
I keyed in the right one now :)
Nice guitar strums and a soothing melody. Nicely composed song. It' says Rodrigo Simas, is he the composer and the singer ?

[Woody]

oof! glad you liked it. yes he composed and sang it. Bob Dylan's style?

[Abhilash Hegde]

yeah, very much the Dylan's style. I was just listening to, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, a while back :)

[barleygirl]

I love this . . . not sure if it qualifies as lyrics, but your form suggests it . . . most of all, I love the way you give a nod to some beloved peaceful leaders. I'm not sure what you mean by "make ranks tighter" . . . but I love the message thru-out.

[Woody]

thanks again barleygirl. much appreciated. indeed, I wrote this one with the intention of turning it into a song (for my son who plays with a band). a fellow writer/singer on this site has kindly put a melody to it and did a decent job of it.
make the ranks tighter. I actually meant close ranks but I wanted that rhyme so took some liberty :(

[Rod]

"Sounds" pretty good to me, I'm a musician and given the right melody you could definitely sing it. I'm not sure that would go into a jazz song, but I can see a blues there somewhere :) I usually write listening to bebop and I like to think my poetry has some improvised melody to it. Stop by sometime to read some of my stuff.

[Woody]

on my way. and thank you very much for stopping to read this. I sure am glad you think it's worth singing. since you're a musician, go ahead and put a melody to it. if it becomes a hit, I'll proudly tell my children "I" wrote that song hahaha.
thanks again Rod. got some reviewing to make.

[Rod]

Hehehe, wouldn't it be nice if we could turn those lines into a hit song?

[Woody]

who did you have in mind? you perhaps, if you're a singer as well. Stevie Wonder, James Blunt. see, I'm not picky. listen, I don't want any benefits. all I want is to hear it sung. so go, son. you have my blessing.

[Rod]

Ok, give me a couple of days I'll work something out :) You got yourself a song

[Woody]

hahaha this calls for celebration :)

[tossedpenny]

I think this could turn into a nice inspirational song.
The ideals you've described by referencing the famous leaders and your dad, are relatable and simple. While it's optimistic, it doesn't stray from the If Only (/the realistic) factor, which is that we would have to unite to create an ideal world. It will work well as the lyrics for a jazz song, if composed well. I like this!

Take care and keep writing!

[Woody]

thanks a bunch, tossedpenny. glad you liked this one. tell you the truth, I'm not holding my breath as to the future of humanity. I guess cynicism comes with old age. have you seen what's happening in all corners of the world? sorry if I sound negative. but yes, I meant what I said in the poem/song. I wish somebody put it to music.
thanks again :)

[tossedpenny]

I understand your feelings about the world, and the future of humanity. I re-read this just now and it still has the same simple yet strong impact as the first time around. It really is a relateable, and well written.

[Woody]

thanks again tossedpenny. bty, somebody did put it to music. if you have a minute, have a listen. the link is in the Author's note.

[Scrap]

Please explain to me the last line of the chorus.

It's lovely. The new redemption song.

[Woody]

thank you for stopping to read this, Scrap. and for the compliment.
to keep tight ranks is an expression which means to stand together and be strong. kind of forming a solid wall.

[Scrap]

I thought it would mean that. Braveheart! :). Thx

[θεά]

This is such an optimistic, positively-charged poem. I feel like linking the '60s song, 'Good Vibrations' to this poem, because that is what it manages to do. That and inspire.

Good piece of writing, Woody,

Best,
M.

[Woody]

awfully nice of you to drop in and comment, Mallika. gllad you liked this one. yeah I think I'm ancient. I still live on the memories of the 60's, woodstock, the Beatles.....
thanks again.

[Gee]

Hi Woody,hope you are well.Great message in this lovely poem/song.Nice one my friends,nice one

[Woody]

hi Gee. thanks a lot. not like me to be so serious, right? just trying to emulate great poets like yourself :)

[Gee]

Lol,you must have me mixed up with someone else.I like the serious you,but more than the funny,hmmmm,I'll ponder that one

[Woody]

now you've gone and hurt my feelings! how can you prefer the other stuck-up, serious Woody? I don't like him.

[Archos]

I thought it sounded rather musical as I read it. Yup, I think this makes for a great song. Have you ever heard it sung?

[Woody]

thank you very much Archos. glad you thought it was worthy to be sung.
to answer your question, sadly, no. my son's quit the band and gone to Germany to study music.
but it's out there. if anybody feels like putting some music to it, I'd be honoured. I won't ask for any rights :)

[Woody]

https://soundcloud.com/rodrigo-simas-713135019/woodys-wish

[Archos]

Wow! This is so cool!

[Woody]

hey I'm a songwriter. well well what d'you know!!!!

[Archos]

Yup, maybe you should write more :) Is this your son's band, BTW?

[Woody]

nope. my son's gone to Germany to study music (saxophone). the singer of this one is Rod. he's a poet here in the Cafe. he put that link in his latest post.

[Rye]

This is really awesome, I can feel this write. deep and heartfelt.

[Woody]

many thanks my friend. you may say I'm a dreamer (haha). frankly though, I'm not very optimistic as to the near future of humanity.. thanks again J.