A Broken Wing
A Broken Wing
A Broken WIng
It was like any other night here at The Broken Record bar and dive, well almost lille every other night. Tonight was one of those rare nights, Talent night. Patrons came to sing, dance or even comedy. It was for those who wanted to have fun or just to have their small moment in the spotlight; they only dreamed of it. The stage was lit and the room was dark, it was like no one was there watching while you stood on top of the stage.
A man hopped onto the stage and up to the mic, a smile on his face. “ Well Ladies and Gents, wasn't our last performer just something… “ he gave a cough as he tried to be kind to the last person, who had been a mime.
“ This next one is a young one who will be singing us a song. Please give a hand to..Bambi!” He gave a few claps as he left the stage, some in the crowd joined in politely. A young man, possibly no older than twenty with messy black hair stumbled slightly up to the mic. He ran his fingers through his hair, pushed some of his fringe from his startling bright green eyes and gave a fleeting smile.
“Hello, I’m Bambi, I've never sung in front of others. So please forgive me if this isn't good. “ He nodded to the DJ for his music. “This song is called , A broken wing by Martina Mcbride..”
Guitar started up, followed by some light drumming. Harry started to tap his foot to the beat as he stepped closer to the mic. “She loved him like he was…” The words were sung in a deep breathy tone.
“..The last man on Earth
Gave him everything she ever had
He'd break her spirit down
Then come lovin' up on her
Give a little and take it back “
Harry grabbed hold of the mic stand as he sang, still tapping to the beat. “ She'd tell him 'bout her dreams
He'd just shoot 'em down
Lord, he loved to make her cry
"You're crazy for believin'
You'll never leave the ground"
He said, "Only angels know how to fly" “
The beat gets a little faster and Harry starts to sway from foot to foot, singing his heart into the song. Eyes staring into nothing, seeing only what the words meant to him.
“ And with a broken wing
She still sings
She keeps an eye on the sky
With a broken wing
She carries her dreams
Man, you ought to see her fly “
Harry clenched his fist to his body as the beat had slowed to the same from the start.
“ One Sunday morning
She didn't go to church
He wondered why she didn't leave
He went up to the bedroom
Found a note by the window
With the curtains blowin' in the breeze “
The music sped up now and Harry sang with such feeling, it was like people could feel the vibrations sink into their bodies.
“ And with a broken wing
She still sings
She keeps an eye on the sky
With a broken wing
She carries her dreams
Man, you ought to see her fly “
“with a broken wing
She carries her dreams
Then you ought to see her fly (with a broken wing)…”
The words were belted out with Harry singing his heart out, panting as the last of the words left his lips and the music ended. It was silent while people processed what they just witnessed. Then the clapping started and people cheered on Bambi. Harry blushed as he tried to wipe off sweat from the lights and a little tears from the emotions of the song. He smiled and waved at a few people as he hurried his way off the stage and towards the front door. Harry was embarrassed but also happy that he at least did it once. ‘ Maybe singing in front of people isn't too bad. ‘ He thought to himself and he disappeared into the dark of night.
Back in the bar the announcer had just hurried onto the stage while people still clapped and talked about the last performance.
“ Well now!. Wasn't that just amazing? I hope the next performers can give us their all as well.”
End