Young Catholic boy
Traditions and routines embedded
Prayers remembered, recited, and regurgitated
Going through the motions until old enough
To walk away
Strict rules learned growing up
Making it difficult to return
Without being a hypocrite
Questions arising with no logical answers
Not all was bad
There was comfort in routine
Music that was beautiful at times
Giant traditional cathedrals
Shrouded in history and mystery
Sunday family breakfasts
Midnight Christmas Eve mass
Saturated in songs of Noel
Somehow made those lyrics relevant
As my life enters the fall season
I contemplate faith
I see others that breathe it
Is it too late to find and rediscover?
Can skepticism ebb?
Could I give myself over without abandon?
Where does one begin?

Mahogany eyes
Express joy, desire, and grief
Those which I behold

Denim, a durable fabric
Fading over the years
Eventually distressed, frayed
Like warm summer memories of years gone by
Not created to appear that way
But forged over the years
Like an old friend that has lost some luster
But is classically appealing still

True love should be like faded denim
A love of your life should gradually dim and become a classic memory rather than dissipate within months
A shared deep connection should tatter over years like the knees of a comfortable pair of denim jeans
There shouldn't need to be a reason to communicate when you have loved someone deeply
If a reason to communicate is needed months later, perhaps the love wasn't that intense as the care to just connect without a reason would still exist
Just as the color of denim will fade in intensity in time, so should the deep feelings one has. If a loved one vocalized that they would have turned their life upside down for you, it would take years rather than months to be at peace with not speaking frequently

When I look at your photograph I wish to God that you were back
Just you and I as one together
All our memories rush through my mind
I’m wishing and hoping every night
That you'll come back to me forever
Can’t you tell I still love you? That isn’t hard to see
Can’t you tell I still want you? And this is where you should be

In My arms tonight(In my arms tonight)
You belong here by my side
In my arms  tonight (In my arms  tonight)
For a feeling that’s so right
In my arms  tonight (making love to you)
Making love to you all night
In my arms  tonight (Love will never die)
No my love will never die in my arms  tonight

I feel so frightened and all alone
Always wishing to hear your voice on the phone
Just to tell me that you really care
I want to reach out and take your hand
And guide you to our promised land but I know that’s just my prayer
Can’t you tell I still need you? Is that so hard to see?
Don’t you know that I’m hurting? My God, it’s killing me

In My arms  tonight(In my arms  tonight)
You belong here by my side
In my arms  tonight (In my arms tonight)
For a feeling that’s so right
In my arms  tonight (making love to you)
Making love to you all night
In my arms  tonight (Love will never die)
No my love will never die in my arms  tonight

I can’t sleep at night (Those memories)
I’m crying out my plea (Please hear me)
It cuts like a knife (So deep now)
Come back to me; Yeah

In My arms  tonight(In my arms tonight)
You belong here by my side
In my arms  tonight (In my arms  tonight)
For a feeling that’s so right
In my arms  tonight (making love to you)
Making love to you all night
In my arms  tonight(Love will never die)
No my love will never die in my arms  tonight

Times are changing now
We’re starting over again
Things are looking brighter now
The Sun’s shining over our heads
It’s time to show them what we’ve got
And let go of all our fears
But we must never forget the past
That has brought us here
I’ve got this feeling that all hard times are gone
We’re gonna make it this time; well I know; yes I know

We’re at the turning point of our lives
We’re at the turning point of our lives
(This is going to change our lives)
It feels so good

We feel a freedom now
Everything is so brand new
We’re gonna go straight to the top
There’s nothing we can’t do
So come along with us
We’re gonna take you around the world
We’re going all the way this time
We’re feeling proud and sure
The road’s been rough, and the time has gone so slow
We’re gonna make it this time; well I know; yes I know


We’re at the turning point of our lives
We’re at the turning point of our lives
(This is going to change our lives)
It feels so good

I gave you my heart
You gave me indifference
I gave you love without condition
You gave me ultimatums
I gave you reality
You gave me fantasy
I gave you fairness and understanding
You gave me barriers and jealousy
I  willingly gave to you myself in the most difficult time of my life
You demanded from me in the most difficult time or your life
I built your confidence
You tried to rob me of mine
I gave you predictability
You gave me impulsivity
I gave to you what I hadn't given anyone else
You gave everyone else what you couldn't give to me
I gave you tenderness, affection, and chance upon chance
You gave me labels, name calling, and disdain
I gave you open spaces
You backed me into a corner
I gave you honesty and trust
I listened to you and tried to understand your perspective even when I disagreed with you
You complained that all I did was argue while often putting me in a defensive position
I left the door open for possibility
You slammed the door in my face
I tried to hold on to you for dear life
You pushed me away and discarded me as one would of trash
I lost
You won
Congratulations

So you’ve got troubles
That doesn’t make you unique
I know there are times
When you start to feel weak
You’ve got to face them
You can’t just wish them away
Talk to each other
Or it will fade away
Don’t leave each other guessing
Stop playing your games
Or you might find yourself feeling lonely
And you’ll be searching aimlessly

Stand Tall; Don’t you take a fall
Let the music rock your soul
When life gets you down bounce back for more
Stand Proud; say it out loud
No one and nothing can keep you down
Prove it to me the next time I see you around

Working together
You can accomplish great things
Sharing your secrets
Brings you security
Trust in each other
If you truly believe
You’ll find your path
To all of your dreams
Problems will always stand in your way
Stick together; fight them away
If you try to fight them yourself
You may find her walking with someone else

Stand Tall; Don’t you take a fall
Let the music rock your soul
When life gets you down bounce back for more
Stand Proud; say it out loud
No one and nothing can keep you down
Prove it to me the next time I see you around

If situations pull you apart
Stick together; keep her close to your heart
You better find a way to make a new start

Stand Tall; Don’t you take a fall
Let the music rock your soul
When life gets you down bounce back for more
Stand Proud; say it out loud
No one and nothing can keep you down
Prove it to me the next time I see you around