The skeleton
    of a story
             without a discernible
tale,
                scampers through my mind,
bouncing
       from synapse to synapse,
                  thoroughly irritating
             the stodgy demands
                                     of responsibility and decorum.

People waking
TV's    blaring
faces  staring
all  confused.
New  Yorkers
run  and  yell
to  quell  the
smell  of  hell
that's striking
brick  and  mortar      
glass   and   iron,   steel   and                   
wooden   support   too.         
Fire   spitting
ash exploding
debris raining
down  below.
The    scared
and    steady
brave and
ready wait to
see  who  hit
us           so.
Allies sending
warm  wishes
even enemies
woe our loss.
Cowards   hit
us  with  our
pants   down
but we would
get         our
point  across.
You  can  hit
us  you  can
hurt  us  but
you   cannot
make us quit.
We   have   a
strengtt that
can't        be
stifled we are
A m e r i c a n s we will make it.

I started out with nothing…I can’t go down from there.
I’ve made my share of mistakes…but I do not despair.
Without a doubt, I’ll lose again…of this I am aware.
But as long as there’s a breath in me…I’ll live without a care.

Back when I had everything…what I feared most of all,
Was waking up and seeing…my presumed stature fall.
But when it all disappeared…I still was standing tall.
These fears were only in my head…losing, I wasn’t small.

Chorus:
I’ve been to the bottom…it didn’t drive me mad.
I’ve spent time at the top…then lost all that I had.
Losing’s an illusion…no reason to be sad.
Cuz I’ve been to the bottom…but the bottom’s not so bad.

I’ve seen people chase around…wanting to get more stuff.
Everything’s on plastic and…they still can’t get enough.
So they work an extra job…thinking that life’s too tough.
But it’s only greediness…that makes their hands so rough

Stressing over what we have…only robs us of joy.
Working just to amass wealth…can easily destroy.
So if you see your neighbor…holding his latest toy.
Just offer him your widest smile…and do not be annoyed.

Chorus:
I’ve been to the bottom…it didn’t drive me mad.
I’ve spent time at the top…then lost all that I had.
Losing’s an illusion…no reason to be sad.
Cuz I’ve been to the bottom…but the bottom’s not so bad.

Learning how to live with less…is worth the time it takes.
Never being satisfied…can lead to many aches.
But when things don’t go your way…don’t quit for goodness sakes.
Because each and every one of us…will make many mistakes.

Learning how to stand back up…and hold your head up high,
Isn’t easy, but it’s worth…the peace of mind it buys.
Don’t be tempted to sit down…and give in to the lie,
That failing once is a sign…that everything’s awry.

Chorus:
I’ve been to the bottom…it didn’t drive me mad.
I’ve spent time at the top…then lost all that I had.
Losing’s an illusion…no reason to be sad.
Cuz I’ve been to the bottom…but the bottom’s not so bad.