Lyric Contest Winners: January/February 2016

1ST PLACE
“Outlaws”
Lizzie Quinlan
Brooklyn, New York

2ND PLACE
“Paper Dolls and Fire Engines”
Jim Ashley
Wilmington, North Carolina

3RD PLACE
“Leaving You For Me”
Dan Adams
Austin, Texas

4TH PLACE
“China Plates”
Jess Chizuk
Buffalo, New York

1st Place

“Outlaws”

Lizzie Quinlan

Brooklyn, New York

I had a dream we were on a sinking ship

Laughin’ at the black water while everyone was jumping in

I woke up happier than I’d ever been

But I wished I knew you better, better than I did

You hold a gun like a fist in your right hand

Cause it kept you company across the sunken lands

But you say it’s no good for a man to be alone

Walking barefoot on the logging roads turned you to stone

I don’t know what you’re running away for

There’s no outlaws, outlaws anymore

Do you remember the state I found you in

Eighteen dollars in your pocket and a bank thief grin

From across the table you said I was like a train

I said, “There’s nothing to me now but aches and pains”

I don’t know what you’re running away for

There’s no outlaws, outlaws anymore

Well I’m all day jobs wrapped up in daydreams

If you’re an outlaw would you keep the engine runnin for me

Against the backdrop of your unfettered fire

I’m just a wisp of smoke climbin’ slowly to the sky

I don’t know what you’re running away for

There’s no outlaws, outlaws anymore

2nd Place

“Paper Dolls And Fire Engines”

Jim Ashley

Wilmington, North Carolina

Ticking clocks and old straw baskets

A mason jar full of screws and nails

Unmatched socks with old elastic

A worn out book of fairy tales

Paper dolls and fire engines

A music box upon the shelf

No one calls and no one mentions

Why you’re there all by yourself

Dancing light and silent shadows

Watch the way the darkness falls

The dusty glow from the lampshade shows

The peeling paint of those old walls

Paper dolls and fire engines

A music box upon the shelf

No one calls and no one mentions

Why you’re there all by yourself

Dresses hung up in the closet

Sweaters in a cedar chest

Water running a faucet

Old memories that never rest

Paper dolls and fire engines

A music box upon the shelf

No one calls and no one mentions

Why you’re there all by yourself

Paper dolls and fire engines

A music box upon the shelf

No one calls and no one ever mentions

Why you’re there all by yourself

3rd Place

“Leaving You For Me”

Dan Adams

Austin, Texas

I’m tired of all the fighting

Nowadays it seems it’s all we ever do

And I’m sick of accusations

You want to know if I’m in love with someone new

Since you asked me I’ll admit there’s someone else

But it’s not what you think

For all these years I’ve put your needs before my own

Now I’m leaving you for me

I’m leaving you for me

A year from now I’m not sure where I’ll be

But I’m letting go of all the heartache

I’ll finally be free

I’m leaving you for me

I remember it wasn’t always like this

There was a time when I was sure you hung the moon

But we were young, and didn’t know how life is

I’ve given all I had and it’s not enough for you

I’m not saying I don’t love you anymore

Believe me — this hurts like hell

But I finally realized that I need something more

So I’m leaving you for me

I’m leaving you for me

A year from now I’m not sure where I’ll be

But I’m letting go of all the heartache

I’ll finally be free

I’m leaving you for me

4th Place

“China Plates”

Jess Chizuk

Buffalo, New York

China plates and dinner dates,

You look wonderful tonight.

Paid vacations, medication,

is this supposed to feel right?

I have student loans, and aching bones,

when did seventeen disappear?

They say just buy a white dress, build your own nest,

stay the course, don’t you fear.

Tell me where did I go wrong in finding

the place where I can lay with fate?

I need winding, open highways

I don’t want these china plates.

We buy coffee tables, and clothing labels,

showing strangers that we can.

I’ve lost in each election, I’ve lost my discretion,

I’m as lost as I have ever been.

So tell me where did I go wrong in finding

the place where I can lay with fate?

I need winding, open highways,

I don’t want these china plates

So mind the white lines, save for the stop signs,

nothing’s standing in the way.

Shiny things, and diamond rings,

could never buy me anyway

Tell me where did I go wrong in finding

the place where I can lay with fate?

I need winding, open highways,

I don’t want these china plates,

I don’t want these china plates.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

“Our Remember Whens”
Laura Benitez
Berkeley, California

“Cracks and Folds”
Tom Van Stockum
Pound Ridge, New York

“Today”
Mike Leech
Fairfax, Vermont

“You Are Who You Are”
Brenda Baskin
Fayetteville, Arkansas

“A Good Woman”
Steve Silver
Evanston, Illinois

“Keep Your Faith”
Shannon Grissom
Coarsegold, California

“He Don’t Drink (For The Same Reasons I Do)”
Chris Grounds
Kent, Washington

“Meet Your Maker”
Skittish
Minneapolis, Minnesota

“Go Back”
Daniel Peppe
New Rochelle, New York

“Can’t Stop Hoping”
Sara Beth Geohegan and Cheyenne Medders
Nashville, Tennessee