A Small Stage in the Corner
© Gary Poole 2020
Inspired by an open stage experience in LA’s Pig & Whistle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2zmMuuqLyw

There’s a small stage in the corner under pale blue light
A couple of silver microphones stand ready for the night
Someone checks the sound board with cables here and there
And people start to trickle in and whispers fill the air
    Before a small stage in the corner under pale blue light
    On a small stage in the corner Wednesday night

There’s a rapper from Seattle who doesn’t want to stop
There’s a folkie from the 60s who looks like ZZ Top
There’s a girl singing her heart out, she just arrived from France
And a couple of hip hop crazy boys who bust out this weird dance
    On a small stage in the corner under pale blue light
    On a small stage in the corner Wednesday night

There’s the nervous and the lonely who cut their songs in half
There’s one stand-up comic who strains to get a laugh
There’s the ranters and the ravers and the terminally shy
Who, for the life of me, I couldn’t tell you why
    They’re on a small stage in the corner under pale blue light
    On a small stage in the corner Wednesday night

Then a guy steps on the stage in an unassuming way
He takes in one big breath and then begins to play
People put their drinks down or look up from their phones
For this voice that’s straight from heaven and nobody’s alone
   Cuz there’s a small stage in the corner where life somehow unfolds
   Melodies go everywhere and stories will get told
   Some are taking chances, some are on a lark
   Some are baring demons in the dark

Then I hear my name and I climb onto the stage
I stare out at an audience that’s prob’ly half my age
Then I sing these songs of mine and wonder how they’ll land
And when I hit my final chord, they give a friendly hand
    On a small stage in the corner everything’s okay
    And I am oh so thankful for the chance to play
    On a small stage in the corner where everything’s alright
    On a small stage in the corner Wednesday night