Joshua Luke Smith feat Madison Ryann Ward | Flowers
"Flowers" was born out of a time of anxiety. I was grasping for answers I'd likely never receive, approval that wouldn't satisfy my restless soul and gratification that would only leave me empty. The simple invitation to "stop and smell a flowers on the way" became a balm for me, an opportunity to let beauty and simplicity remind me of all I had forgotten. Like the flowers that line my concrete street, I am taken care of, I belong and have something to offer the world.
Lyrics
I know that you’ve been anxious
Feeling like their ain’t enough hours in the day
And life can be so thankless,
getting nothing back for the ways you make a change
I know that you’ve been angered
Calling out and cursing God every time you pray
But stop and smell the flowers on your way
Stop and the smell the flowers on your way
VERSE ONE
Can you spare a penny for my thoughts or something more?
Looking for shrapnel on the floor outside the corner store
When we were at our poorest
Counting coins for the meter,
With No food left in the freezer
And a preacher spitting through the speaker - Lord have mercy
I pray that change gone’ come
And my God can make a way when there ain’t no one
I feel enclaved to the sums with more month then funds
Chased by these debts and regrets and these pests that I can’t outrun
Take some time and find the lies behind the rage
Coz’ of the spirit of this age has me feeling like I'm caged
Demons feanin’ on my dreams feasting on my brain stealing my domain
I need a peace that can’t be reasoned or explained,
I keep on praying
VERSE TWO
Anxious about the evidence
Of my influence and relevance
My penmanship is heaven sent
But the devil’s on my neck again
Wish I could tell a friend
I’ve been walking through hell again
Up at night from
Mixing Ardbeg with adrenaline
Life is fleeting
I learnt more from recovery meetings
Then hearing preachers speaking
Ain’t no teacher like my weakness
A broken man once told told me
“There’s difference between being lonely
And solitude that confronts
And consoles your own self loathing”
He said until until you’ve been alone
and faced What only you control
You’ll keep reeking havoc on the world
Whilst acting like it’s not your fault
So Keep forgiving,
keep listening and bearing witness
You’ll find a peace without conditions
That that transcends and won’t diminish
OUTRO
When your peace is lost
And it can’t be found
Look up, look down,
Look around.