deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

I’m Still Standing

Janis Ian

See these lines on my face 
There a map of where I’ve been

In the deep they are traced 
The deeper life has settled in 
How do we survive 
Living out our lives?

And I could not trade a line 
Make it smooth and fine 
Or pretend that time stands still 
I want to rest my soul 
Here where it can grow without fear 
‘Nother line, another year 
I’m still standing here

See these marks on my skin 
They are the lyric of my life 
Every story I begin 
Just means another end’s in sight 
Only lovers understand 
Skin just covers who I am

And I could not trade a line 
Make it smooth and fine 
Or pretend that time stands still 
I want to rest my soul 
Here where it can grow without fear 
‘Nother line, another year 
I’m still standing here

See these bruises, see these scars? 
Hieroglyphs that tell the tale 
You can read them in the dark 
Through your fingertips like rain

And I would not trade a line 
Make it smooth and fine 
Or pretend that time stands still 
I plan to rest my soul 
Here where it can grow without fear 
‘Nother line, another year 
I’m still standing here 
I’m still standing here 
I’m still standing here

Written by: Janis Ian

Album: Strictly Solo

Released: 2021