Anything, Everything, and a Rhythm Section

i looked to my right
hoping to see a bass player
keeping the low end tight

behind me
hoping to see someone
straightening a kit
tuning a snare drum

no one

i called out to the heavens
and even louder towards hell
begging for a couple backup singers
somebody with a horn
or perhaps a violin

no one

i thought of Paul Setser
how he had always been there
his keyboard on a piano setting
an accordion at his feet

ready to accompany me
through each verse and chorus
painting dynamics on each song
covering my mistakes

but Paul wasn't there
either

for my last show
in Austin, Tx
i took the stage
alone

played through an entire set
alone

each and every note
alone

an orphan abandoned by other orphans
stray dog howling to a room full of stray cats
one brick pining for more
dreaming of a wall

i hate playing solo