First-Class Ticket, A River City Rumble

"The One-Line Lyric Challenge"  Below is a 27-line poem inspired by the themes and mood of "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn.

A River City Ramble

Inspired by "Walking in Memphis" by Mark Cohn

I stepped off that plane, my first-class ticket shoved crumpled in my pocket,
Felt the air hit me—humid, thick, like it was holding secrets.
This city, man, where the river twists and turns,
It's got a heartbeat you can feel in your chest.

Cobblestones under my boots, uneven and stubborn,
Lanterns flickering like they're laughing at the dark.
I heard a horn wail—some guy on a sax,
Blowing his soul out on a street corner,
Notes messy and perfect all at once.

I wandered into this café, smelled stale coffee and old wood,
Walls scratched with stories I'll never know.
An old lady grabbed my hand—her skin like paper,
Eyes sharp, they said, "Boy, the river's been waiting for you."

I laughed, nervous, but her words stuck like mud.
The music followed me out, clung to me,
Like cigarette smoke, you can't shake off.

By the Mississippi, water lapping at the shore,
I saw her—some girl spinning in the fog,
Barefoot, wild, like she owned the night.

She grinned and pulled me into a dance—clumsy, real —
Till the sun crept up and she was gone,
Just a tune in my head; I couldn't hum right.

Now I'm walking these streets,
Not lost, nah, but found in a way I can't explain.
Every corner's got a sound, every breath's got weight,
And I'm just some fool chasing it all,
That first-class ticket still burning a hole in my jeans.