In Stride

In Stride

by Richard Naviasky

Someday when I’m fifty-five

I may lose my faculties,

or I may get a tooth disease,

or by then I might have fleas.

But if I fall apart, oh please,

I hope I’ll keep my memories,

I hope at least I’ll keep my memories.

I’ve lost my hair, I’ve lost my lungs,

but I still have a gifted tongue

for singing about life and love,

and I ain’t going nowhere, son.

I’m older now, I’ve hit my stride.

I’m not exactly a fine wine,

but thank god I’m still alive.

Thank god I am still alive.

I’ve been around a time or two,

but, goddam, a girl like you

only comes around once in a lifetime.

Now here I am in my stride

with a fine girl at my side.

That’s you and me in stride

walking through our lives side by side.

Back when I was twenty-two

I drank away my faculties.

I didn’t know what I would be

by the time that I reached thirty-three.

The years to come were all hazy

with choices that I couldn’t see,

and that was just fine with me.

I was twenty-two and in my stride,

not belted in for any ride,

just wandering throughout my mind

knowing I had time on my side.

I wrote this song at fifty-one,

and looking back on all I’ve done

I’ve had a daughter and a son,

and been myself to everyone.

I’ve glided through the horizon

and fought my way into the sun.

You’re damn right I’m proud of all I’ve done.

Now here I am, still in my stride,

keeping pace with my own life

with arms up for this wild ride

until it takes me to the other side.