The first time I heard it
I was mesmerised,
that opening bass line
left me hypnotised.
The lyrics then
opened up my heart
only for the guitar
to blow it apart.
With or Without you
hit me with no warning
on a bus to college
one winters morning.
Seventeen years old
thinking I knew what
life was all about,
wrapped up
in a denim jacket
to keep the cold out,
I wanted to run
where the streets had no name
believing that life
was just a big game.
The world was a big
and wonderful place.
I could not wait
to pack my case.
To travel to some
exotic location
and witness
startling revelations.
But I never did.
Things didn’t
work out that way,
dreams don’t come true,
so, I had to stay.
Now every time
that I hear this song,
it reminds me
of the place I don’t belong.
