Day 1: Do It All Again (Song-a-day January)

Part of my Song-a-day writing project for January 2025.

Do It All Again
by David Coile

It's a New Year's cup of coffee
Catching up with my old friend
Talking 'bout the ways we've changed
Since way back when we were
Sneaking 'round the office
Hiding from the bosses
I felt like such a novice
'til you taught me office politics
I wonder, if a little grace were given,
Would I do it all again?

You say that you're retired
And you have a new grandson
Playing pickleball and tennis
Is how you have your fun
I say that I'm alone
Looking for a job
And since my roommate passed away
I think that I've found God
I wonder, if a little grace were given,
Would I do it all again?

Last time around, it seemed the sun was going down
There ain't no rhyme or reason to the changing of the seasons
Be it spiteful or delightful, it still always feels recycled
All the joy and all the sorrow still comes around again

It's a New Year's conversation
Hanging out at the cafe
I'm surprised it's even open
On a holiday
Perhaps it's an illusion
Perhaps it's just a game
You say it doesn't matter
When it all turns out the same
And you know if a little grace were given
We'd all do it once again
Do it once again

***
Details:
It's the first day of 2025 and I woke up in a philosophical mood. In my morning pages/journal, I was considering the possibility of reincarnation and if, given the choice, would I want to go through the whole thing again? Pain and sorrow seem to be built into pleasure and joy-- they exist only in contrast to one another. You know, the whole yin yang thing. Anyway, that was on my mind today.

Then I got coffee in the morning with an ex-coworker of mine. It was great to catch up, and I was struck at how nice it was to go get coffee and conversation first thing on the first day of the year. I started writing the song on the way home, just trying to capture the general feel of the conversation.

We didn't really get philosophical at the coffee shop, but since it was on my mind, anyway, it was a great way to fill out the lyrics. My mind was going there, anyway.

It also felt like a fitting way to start Song-a-day January, since I'm repeating a cycle each time I do it. I love doing this writing project, and I'm happy to do it over and over again...