Somptin' Hapnin' - Adham Shaikh

I wish I were as strong and as flexible as an ancient tree

So I could stand up tall feeling the wind and the… and the…

Water in me

I am all alone here

Evening-- the lunar light lies behind the clouds

Darkness and night come, wishes, fear, to push my voice

Down behind the outline of my breath, stark against the wind

Drops of sharp reminders of the sadness I hold up… and shame…

Shame for all the moments I have head-tripped the ones I loved most

But I’m mending now towards a peaceful exit of that ghost

I’m mending now towards a peaceful exit of that ghost

I’m mending now

I wish I were as strong and as flexible as an ancient tree

So I could stand up tall, feeling the wind and the…

Water in me

The water in me, the water in me (water in me…) water…

If I could go back, well, I would do it all differently,

Replacing the sore spots with generosity and dignity

If I could go back, I would do it all differently,

Replacing the sore spots with generosity and dignity

Go back to all my times of underhanded savvy and

Swear on the silhouette of the strongest tree

Swear on the silhouette of the strongest tree

Swear on the silhouette of the strongest tree

I would be kinder, more forgiving, and more humble

I’ll be kinder, more forgiving, and more humble

I’ll be kinder, more forgiving, and more humble

Forgiving myself as well

'cause I, too, am fumbling

As I stumble… to the eye of the storm

When I am naked, I surrender my strength

Because I am so small and irrelevant

I surrender my pride because I am so small and irrelevant

I surrender my name because I am so small and irrelevant

Surrender my pride because I am so small and irrelevant

I surrender my name because I am so small and irrelevant

So small and irrelevant

So small and irrelevant

But the storm sings on, and I am open to a sweetening

I am freezing, and screaming, and there is no one here for questioning

And if I’m chanting and undoing

Chanting and undoing (la la lo lo lo the water)

Chanting and undoing (la la la lo lo the water in me)

(oooh heyyy) (heyyy I…) (I…)

This storm is my greatest grandmother

She is my truth-teller

Nothing stops her from delivering the secrets she uncovers

She gives me warmth of sunray, rain daggers against my skin

Heavy storm pierce me, wind howl against my offering

Wind howl against my offering

Wind howl against my offering

Drown me out so I can forget

Through the softening

Drown me out so my thoughts come through, this time redeeming

Give me the strength and flexibility of an ancient tree

So I can stand up tall, feeling the wind and the

Water in me (the… the… water in me)

This storm is my greatest grandmother

She is my truth-teller

Nothing stops her from delivering the secrets she uncovers

Example: she gives me warmth of sunray, rain daggers against my skin

Heavy storm pierce me, and wind howl against my offering

Wind howl against my offering

Drown me out so I can force through the softening

Drown me out so my thoughts come through this time

Give me the strength and flexibility of an ancient tree

So i can stand up tall, feeling the wind and

Water in me

Water in me

Water in me

Water in me…