Every day has downs and ups, for all of us.
My day included many downs and ups, including
- worrying about performing a Steely Dan song and an original song at an Open Mic last night,
- buying a ticket to see Jacob Collier at Boston’s House of Blues in May,
- losing my lyrics sheet for my original song,
- reconstructing the lyrics as best I could,
- reconnecting at the Open Mic with Nat, who co-led groups and co-wrote a song with me last year,
- feeling empathy for the little girl who cried when she forgot how to play “Jingle Bell Rock” on the electric guitar,
- two people talking loudly during my introduction to and performance of my first song,
- those people leaving before my second song,
- forgetting a chord in “Pretzel Logic,”
- making it through “Pretzel Logic” and my “country” song, “What’s Keeping Me Up is What’s Going Down,” and
- cheering for the little girl who returned with her acoustic guitar and played a great “Jingle Bell Rock.”
What downs and ups do you see here?
Here are the downs and ups of my Open Mic performance last night:
I keep writing new lyrics down for “What’s Keeping Me Up is What’s Going Down.” It’s time to put these up on WordPress:
What’s Keeping Me Up is What’s Going Down
by Ann Koplow
What’s keeping me up is what’s going down,
I’m sleepless and hopeless and wearing a frown.
Problems abound, no solutions to be found.
What’s keeping me up is what’s going down.
In my local and the global news
There’s no quick fix I can find to choose.
No matter what your state or views
There’s no relief, just a belief in booze.
What’s keeping me up is what’s going down.
I’m sleepless and hopeless and wearing a frown.
Problems abound, no solutions to be found.
What’s keeping me up is what’s going down.
As I turn to everyone I see
And I ask if they relate to me.
They haven’t got one moment free.
They seem crippled by anxiety.
What’s freaking me out is what’s rushing in.
I’m tired and helpless, no reason to grin.
Fighting with kin, politicians who spin.
What’s freaking me out is what’s rushing in.
As I try to end this song with hope,
Hope seems to be beyond my scope.
Is the answer just to smoke some dope?
When I’m stoned I’m just inclined to mope.
What’s freaking me out is what’s rushing in.
I’m tired and helpless, no reason to grin.
Fighting with kin, politicians who spin.
What’s freaking me out is what’s rushing in.
What’s keeping me up is what’s going down.
© Ann Koplow, 2019
Feel free to write down any thoughts and feelings about downs and ups in the comments section, below.
Now it’s time to get down with gratitude, which always cheers me up!
Gratitude is good
You’re such a good person, Alex! Thanks for helping me stay up.
good for you!!!!! I’m clapping and (not talking) from here. p.s. once I was staring in an elevator and wondered what was taking so long to get to my intended floor and realized I have never pushed the button. an epiphany for me.
Thanks for pushing buttons that bring us up, beth.
I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get your video to play on my computer, but it worked, and I was very glad to hear both “Pretzel Logic” and your new song. I have mixed feelings about country music–like all other genres I like some, but the important thing is I felt really good clapping along with the audience.
Your words are so important to me, Chris.
My main concentration on downs and ups at the moment are our stairs.
I’m with you, Derrick, up and down.
Congratulations for all of your mighty ups, Ann! By the way, you must have forgotten for that loud moment that the world is all about those two talkers, not you putting your soul on view up there on stage!
Thanks for making the world unforgettably better, Mark.
All of this in a day. Or even an hour. Or less. Those ups and downs. Relatable. At least we can be down and up together!
Thanks for this relatable and great comment, Colleen!
May your ups always be greater than your downs!
Thanks for putting up this encouraging comment down here, Peter!
I like that song- it hits reality with a twist of humor. Very creative
Thanks for this uplifting comment.
See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans
Wearin’ yesterday’s misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money, love and dreams
Which he spent like they was goin’ out of style
And he keeps right on a-changin’ for the better or the worse
Searchin’ for a shrine he’s never found
Never knowin’ if believin’ is a blessin’ or a curse
Or if the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down. A Kris Kristofferson song I sang at a recent open mic
Thanks so much for showing up here! This is for you:
Downs and ups or ups and downs life is full of both the thing is to go with the flow and not let things get to us.
Thanks for your comments, Jo-Anne, which help me go with the flow.
I love those lyrics to what’s Keeping Me Up…They reflect my ups and downs as well. What a year it’s been! I’m grateful to be here, getting ready for the holidays.
Your comments always bring me up, Lisa!
Once again you inspire me, Ann, which is always an “up” feeling. Even with the loud talkers…you are triumphant. (That’s also an “up” direction.) 🙂
Once again, Debra, you inspire ME.