A Rock Opera.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
I looked outside the window as we pulled into San Francisco. The bright lights dazlled my eyes and the polluted air flowed in through the window. I was truly home, at last.
"Where did you wanna go?" asked the man as he drove through the streets.
"Um...anywhere." He nodded slowly and parked the car in the middle of a bustling street. I thanked him sincerely for driving me away from what I called hell.
"No problem, kidd. Just take care of yourself." He gave a final wave before driving off.
I had never felt so alone as I watched the ute disappear into the sea of traffic ahead of me. I again looked around in awe. So this was it. San Francisco. Slinging my bag across my shoulder, I began to make my way through the busy streets. I had no idea how I would eat or how I would sleep that night...but it didn't matter.
As I made my way into the darker alleyways, I felt an increasing sense of spookiness. It was eerily quieter and uglier. I passed an electronics store displaying their TVs in the front window. The news was currently being broadcast. I had completely forgotten the presidential election had happened the day before - not that anyone in my town would have voted.
I listened to the news reporter intently. I was into my politics. Yes, I know. I was into politics. Well, mainly I hated Bush. I thought he had the wrong idea .
"The results for yesterday's election showed Bush emerging as the eventual winner. President Bush today announced that war in Iraq would continue..."
Great. I may have hated my town...but I really hated Bush.
Zieg Heil to the President Gasman
Bombs away is your PUNISHMENT!
Pulverise the Eiffel Towers
Who criticise your government..."
And more troops in Iraq? The man had just won the election, and he starts crapping on about the war again.
I tored my eyes away from the screens and tried to sink it all in. The bright lights of the cars speeding past reamined imprinted in my eyes. I shoved my hands deep into my jacket pockets one again. I withdrew my right hand on finding a $20 note.
What the fuck? I wondered how that could've gotten there...
I grinned and shrugged my shoulders. Money was money.
My aimless walking continued for what must've been hours. The cars driving past slowly thinned, the hustle and bustle around me quietened and slowed down. Shops began to shut.
The feeling of loneliness began to creep in yet again. The sidewalks were empty; rubbish littered the street in odd places, billowing in the eerie breeze creeping in.
I walk a lonely road...
The only one I have ever known...
I had dreamt of walking down here for eons. But now...
Don't know where it goes
But its home to me and I walk alone
The excitement quickly faded off. It must have been nearly midnight by now. Maybe this isn't all it seems, I thought. Disappointment creeped into my head. Was this all I made it out to be? Because if it wasn't, then what else was out there for me?
I walk this empty street on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams...
I made my way down an alleyway. Streetlights cast an orange glow over the lonely road. I saw a deserted shed with a board nailed across the door. I sighed. This'll have to do. I pulled down the board and cautiously opened the door. I flicked on the light switch, illuminating the eerie premises around me. The crusty lightglobe swung back and forth, flickering a few times.
The room was entirely empty. I heard a mouse scurry across the floor, causing a shiver to shoot down my spine.
"Ah grow up," I said aloud, rolling my eyes. I placed my duffel bag on the floor, laying out my spare clothes as a makeshift mattress. I maed sure to lock the door before lying down on the dusty floorboards.
All I could hear was the dull thudding of my heart.
My shallow hearts the only thing thats beating...
I gently closed my eyes, wondering what my mum and Brad were doing right now. I thought I could feel a flicker of homesickness ignite somewhere inside me...
No. Don't be crazy.
I opened my eyes again and noticed a hole in the crappy tin ceiling above me. The stars glittered up above, obscured slightly by the smoky haze.
Starry nights, city lights
Coming down over me...
Sky scrapers and stargazers in my head...
Are we, we are
The waiting unknown...
"Where did you wanna go?" asked the man as he drove through the streets.
"Um...anywhere." He nodded slowly and parked the car in the middle of a bustling street. I thanked him sincerely for driving me away from what I called hell.
"No problem, kidd. Just take care of yourself." He gave a final wave before driving off.
I had never felt so alone as I watched the ute disappear into the sea of traffic ahead of me. I again looked around in awe. So this was it. San Francisco. Slinging my bag across my shoulder, I began to make my way through the busy streets. I had no idea how I would eat or how I would sleep that night...but it didn't matter.
As I made my way into the darker alleyways, I felt an increasing sense of spookiness. It was eerily quieter and uglier. I passed an electronics store displaying their TVs in the front window. The news was currently being broadcast. I had completely forgotten the presidential election had happened the day before - not that anyone in my town would have voted.
I listened to the news reporter intently. I was into my politics. Yes, I know. I was into politics. Well, mainly I hated Bush. I thought he had the wrong idea .
"The results for yesterday's election showed Bush emerging as the eventual winner. President Bush today announced that war in Iraq would continue..."
Great. I may have hated my town...but I really hated Bush.
Zieg Heil to the President Gasman
Bombs away is your PUNISHMENT!
Pulverise the Eiffel Towers
Who criticise your government..."
And more troops in Iraq? The man had just won the election, and he starts crapping on about the war again.
I tored my eyes away from the screens and tried to sink it all in. The bright lights of the cars speeding past reamined imprinted in my eyes. I shoved my hands deep into my jacket pockets one again. I withdrew my right hand on finding a $20 note.
What the fuck? I wondered how that could've gotten there...
I grinned and shrugged my shoulders. Money was money.
My aimless walking continued for what must've been hours. The cars driving past slowly thinned, the hustle and bustle around me quietened and slowed down. Shops began to shut.
The feeling of loneliness began to creep in yet again. The sidewalks were empty; rubbish littered the street in odd places, billowing in the eerie breeze creeping in.
I walk a lonely road...
The only one I have ever known...
I had dreamt of walking down here for eons. But now...
Don't know where it goes
But its home to me and I walk alone
The excitement quickly faded off. It must have been nearly midnight by now. Maybe this isn't all it seems, I thought. Disappointment creeped into my head. Was this all I made it out to be? Because if it wasn't, then what else was out there for me?
I walk this empty street on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams...
I made my way down an alleyway. Streetlights cast an orange glow over the lonely road. I saw a deserted shed with a board nailed across the door. I sighed. This'll have to do. I pulled down the board and cautiously opened the door. I flicked on the light switch, illuminating the eerie premises around me. The crusty lightglobe swung back and forth, flickering a few times.
The room was entirely empty. I heard a mouse scurry across the floor, causing a shiver to shoot down my spine.
"Ah grow up," I said aloud, rolling my eyes. I placed my duffel bag on the floor, laying out my spare clothes as a makeshift mattress. I maed sure to lock the door before lying down on the dusty floorboards.
All I could hear was the dull thudding of my heart.
My shallow hearts the only thing thats beating...
I gently closed my eyes, wondering what my mum and Brad were doing right now. I thought I could feel a flicker of homesickness ignite somewhere inside me...
No. Don't be crazy.
I opened my eyes again and noticed a hole in the crappy tin ceiling above me. The stars glittered up above, obscured slightly by the smoky haze.
Starry nights, city lights
Coming down over me...
Sky scrapers and stargazers in my head...
Are we, we are
The waiting unknown...