[Vintage54]

                                 Choices. (Mild Expletives)

                    It's not the kind of place you'd choose to live in
                    Piss stained stairwells in a high rise block
                    It's a long way from that penthouse in the city
                    But right now it's the only choice you've got

                    It's not the kind of job that you wanted
                    It's closer to the bottom than the top
                    But when there's only rotten apples in the market
                    Sometimes it's the only choice you've got

                         Hard times are not always self inflicted
                         Sometimes it's just out of your control
                         When the shit has hit the fan
                         Grab hold of what you can
                         And hold on tight until the good times roll

                    It's not home, or the climate that you're used to
                    But the country that you fled was getting hot
                    And when the flames are closing in around you
                    Sometimes it's the only choice you've got

                    That container in the alley is not the Hilton
                    But when the rain is coming through your sock
                    Though the sticker warns, do not climb inside here
                    Sometimes it's the only choice you've got

                         Hard times are not always self inflicted
                         Sometimes it's just out of your control
                         When the shit has hit the fan
                         Grab hold of what you can
                         And hold on tight until the good times roll

                     A man without water in the desert
                     Boiling dry, like an unattended pot
                     Will drink his own piss when he's desperate
                     Cause he knows it's the only choice he's got.

                                     Vintage54

[Neil C]

Vintage
Keenly observed imagery with the cleaver repeated last lines pulling the pictures together.
And the 'hold on to what you have until the good times roll' gives it a little lift.
Only though was the last verse was written slightly differently and you've gone from 'you' to 'he', and just wondered whether 'you'll drink your own piss when you're desperate, cause you know its the only choice you've got? Just an idea.
Classy write
 
neil

[hardtwistmusic]

I particularly loved the increasingly desperate situations.  We've all been in a "downward spiral" at one time or another.  Some of them don't end.  Great concept, and excellent realization of the concept.

[rightly]

I need to return to this
when I've time.

[tomcrocus]

Hi Vintage,
                as usual it's quality Vintage,it paints a picture,imagery!
that's what i get when i read your lyrics,it's got a touch of Springsteen
about it,IMHO,
                      top write,
                                     Tom.

[ScottLevi]

Hey Vintage,

This is a really enjoyable read, for so many reasons!

"Sometimes... sometimes... sometimes... he knows" I love the progression in your story and it's a great lesson in how the shape of a lyric can really amplify the message of the words.

I found it delightful that after the  "And hold on tight until the good times roll" line I was thinking the next section would be in contrast, and more positive. Then I realised you'd played me, as I was following the protagonist's example in believing something is going in one direction, but actually it just keeps going further away.

I found the change from 'you' to 'he' startling too. I could only speculate with uncertainty on how it affects the story and what you're trying to convey, but that's what makes it fun.

Great imagery all the way through as others have said, but the line "Though the sticker warns, do not climb inside here" really drew me in to the situation.

All the best,
Scott.