ATHENA'S TEMPLE
©2009 Bill Collins
                   
            

She's holding on to his arm as if it matters
She holds her head up high and bears the weight
Of all the pain
While keeping up a pompous gait

She wonders how many know the game she's playing
How many know that she's the concubine
It's no use
So she hides inside her glass of wine

Why is it she winds up here?
The lonely paramour,
Souvenir – waiting for the show
In the shadow

It grows to be all she knows it's her vocation
Frustration, emptiness from nine-to-five
She paints her nails to remind herself that she’s alive

Won’t give the average man the time of day
But still she prays for convention
The rent is paid…
but her bed’s unmade

She loves all the perks but hates the real illusion
Has to invent respect and dignity
She belongs to a dark out-cast society

Like Athena standing there 
A marble effigy with only dust and limestone debris
To keep her company

While lovers stroll and talk the time away
Planning days and the future
She climbs the walls until he calls

But sooner than later comes the dire swan song
Her leading man chooses monogamy
With tail down low he staggers home to his family
 
Why is it she winds up here?
The lonely paramour, Souvenir – waiting for the show
In the shadow

The Parthenon she held dear lay ruin,
Wasting here – but it’s not the first time, no…
and it will reappear.

      
HE PAVED THE WAY
©2008 Bill Collins

Appeared from out of nowhere
Decide it’s the year to try to go there
Higher than the likes of you have traveled
You’re all alone

They can’t believe your timing
They say that you need a bit more priming
Much too soon to start your mountain climbing
Your sight’s too high

You hear them say
There’s just no way

There are too many deceivers
And a shortage of the true believers
Divided are the blue from the achievers
It slows you down

There’s so many waiting

But independent minders
Who have taken off their selfish blinders
Know that history will bare reminders
Of today

After all the things we gave away
We are desperate for a brand new day
Today…

Will they hear your voice, and not your name?
Or will we be forced to stay the sa-a-a-me

One by one they hear you
And magically they smile, and want to cheer you
A vehicle for change, they want to steer you
Right to the top

Watching, hoping waiting

Maybe when we’re older
We will be more open and much bolder
No more looking over our shoulder
You paved the way

(If "buffering" occurs, press the play button to re-start)

*All of the above songs, instruments, and vocals are written and performed by Bill Collins.