What you get
Sometimes isn't what you see
I've worn too many masks
To hide the real me

Too scared to show
Who I really am
Just a child
In the body of a man

Intimidated by all
My days go by wasted
Bitter sweet
Life's fruit I've tasted

For you, I know
I will stay strong
My love is yours
Until I'm gone

I'm jealous of the sun
How softly it caresses your skin
Your loving touch
Clears my conscious of its sin
I'm jealous of the moon
How your eyes look deeply into its light
Your laughter a soft breeze
On a warm summers night

I'm jealous of your words
Intimately falling from your lips
The definition of passion
The passion from our first kiss
I'm jealous of life
I can only live but one
It's a gamble you take
And yet some how I've still won


So many times I've asked
Why did you picked me?
You answer always the same
You and I were meant to be

All races joining together
To help protect the weak
Voices and cries of outrage
For respect is what we seek

Violence leads to more violence
While cooler tempers try to speak
The words falling on deaf ears
For respect is what we seek

Pay no mind to our skin color
If you do our future is bleak
We are all of God's children
For respect is what we seek

We need to rise above this madness
The protests need to be heard
Senseless killings need to stop
Respect and justice is what we ALL deserve

If you had one chance to make one wish
What wish would you ask?
It seems so simple but harder than it seems.
A difficult and daunting task.

Fame, glory or wealth?
Eternal youth would be so splendid.
Never getting old.
But loved ones lives will have ended.

Being able to see into the future?
Or being to read peoples thoughts?
Would you really want to know?
If they liked you or if they did not?

Wealth won't make people like you
A big house just the same
If you want to make your mark
Live your life without shame

I don't want popularity or extravagance
For me a simple wish would do
I would wish for peace of mind
With that so much more can come true

Things happen everyday
some things make us cry
It leaves only a question
And for me that question is why?

There's no real answer to this question
No matter how hard we try
Still in disbelief
To only question, why?

The outcome doesn't change
We push thru with a sigh
Tomorrow is not guaranteed
We look up and ask why?

Only God knows the reason
The reason we ask why
Put your fate into his hands
For his love we must rely.

Tattoo

The skin on my body a canvas
An artform with needles and ink
It was my choice and my decision
I don't care what others think

The images express who I am
It represents moments in my life
A koi, a dragon, a geisha
The names of my children and my wife

It's an ongoing project
So many hours on the artist's chair
Yes of course it did hurt
And no I don't mind if people stare

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
And beauty is what I see
If you don't like it keep it to yourself
I didn't do it for you, I did it for me

Life is so unexpected
and your tomorrow is not guaranteed
Fate snaps its fingers
Leaving loved ones only to grieve

Your memories we share
and so many tears we have shed
The pain so surreal
Thinking of our last words that were said

We take comfort to know
You're not in pain anymore
And that you're looking down upon us
With a smile at Heavens Door

We hope you know
That you're missed and were truly loved
Your with mom, dad and your brothers
Angels now watching us from above