I Take a Step
Words and music by Brian Berlin
Copyright © 2021 Brian Berlin. All rights reserved.
Standin’ in line at the DMV
Fifty-one other people and me
Don’t have time for this nonsense
But I gotta get a new driver’s license
I just stand, wait, and stare at my phone
Thinkin’ ‘bout what I’d do at home
Taste of mildew in the air
Hacking cough, germ warfare
Dim lights overhead flicker and hum
And the Muzak drones on my eardrum
Say, what’s the name of this song?
Can’t imagine what’s taking them so long
When’s the last time this floor’s been swept
Hey, the line just moved, and I take a step
I take a step, take a step, one itty-bitty baby step
About to come unglued except the line just moved
And I take a step
Now don’t think I’m an impatient man
But a monkey could’ve made a better plan
Than a stagnant line snaked through the room
Claustrophobic as King Tut’s tomb
I see bureaucrats sittin’ at the desk
Hermetically sealed behind plexiglass
A lady with glasses starts to cry
Rubber stamp X X DENIED!
She begs, she pleads, then starts berating
Ma’am, there’s other people waiting?
She gathers her things, turns to the door
We stand and watch, couldn’t do no more
I feel so bad I almost wept
Then, the line just moved, and I take a step
I take a step, take a step, one itty-bitty baby step
About to come unglued except the line just moved
And I take a step
I take a step, take a step, one itty-bitty baby step
About to come unglued except the line just moved
And I take a step
I’m about to come unglued except the line just moved…
And I take a step
NEXT!