The Guitar Player

by Dave Morrison

He waited for the bartender to close
his gear was packed and stacked beside the door
you can't enjoy the highs without the lows

The gigs were becoming something of a chore
the sameness had anesthetized the dream
til he forgot what he was pushing for

The waitress poured herself a short Jim Beam
he remembered when she fronted her own band
with headphones on she wiped each table clean

He'd left his cigarettes out in the van
he wanted to get paid, go home to sleep
next weekend was another two-night stand

He waited for the bartender to close
you can't enjoy the highs without the lows.