Moment of Joy

from Ghost Trucker by Joshua David Ling

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lyrics

Melanie walked slowly,
As if not to scare away-
The beautiful sonic creatures
That floated her way.
Every shimmering note
Seemed like a song in itself.
They'd spring with life and fire in a moment
Then dance back down with a yelp.
They seemed fraught with sorrow and pain
But hope still lingered within.
Then she saw the man playing
And helplessly grinned.

A man in his late 20's
With brown skin and poorly cut hair
Was sitting on a bench by the hotel
Laying his heart bare.
His eyes were closed as he silently mouthed
Words to go with his song.
A baseball cap laid beside him on the bench
Disgustingly dingy and worn.
It'd once been bright and white.
But the dust and fabric's cuts
Served to make it almost brown
With all the sweat and muck.

Melanie bobbed her head,
And her toes began to tap.
And before she knew it, she was dancing
And putting coins in his cap.
He smiled and kept playing
Quickening his pace.
She giggled and the two shared a joy
Within that tiny space.

But soon he played discordantly
And fumbled to a stop.
Melanie turned and saw Mike
Standing with his arms crossed.

Mike: “What do you think you're doing, boy!?
She's a little girl!
Come on, Melanie. We're going to the Sheriff.”

Mike took her and twirled-
Her around and off they went,
To try to get her back home.
Leaving the guitarist by himself
Confused and alone.

credits

from Ghost Trucker, released February 24, 2021

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about

Joshua David Ling Augusta, Georgia

I am Joshua David Ling, and I am a storyteller. I’ve been telling stories ever since I was a wee tot in diapers. Mom and Dad couldn’t stop me, no matter how hard they tried. Of course, it didn’t help that I had a steady diet of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and other anachronistic tales that instilled in me a sense of wonder, longing, and chivalry. ... more