I did not say goodbye
to beat you to the line
and just in case you're wondering
no I'm not doing fine

I simply stepped away
to give you the space you need
to see if what you're looking for
is in him or is in me

I'd love to be impartial
give advice thats motive free
but I know now I cant do that
because I want you for me

So in a bid to give you clarity
give you time in which to choose
I simply stepped out of the spotlight
to wait for any news

I didn't say that I was leaving
just that first contact should be yours
that way you'll know just how I feel
you can press play or you can pause

And by choosing not to choose
you've already made your choice
You're happy with the status quo
no need to raise your voice.

To see you and not speak to you
is the hardest thing of all
Not to ask you about your day
causes low spirits to fall

Not to find out how you are
and if you are ok
Is harder than imagined
Yet on this course I must stay

Its not fair for me to counsel you
on what your actions they should be
because my every waking thought of you
screams for you to be with me

And while that is whats best for me
it may not be best for you
for I have everything to gain
only you have things to lose

To see you and not speak to you
is the hardest thing of all
I truly hope you understand
just why I cannot call

Me an Jack we out drinking
got a taxi into town
for to have a pint of Guiness
our sorrows for to drown

Well one led to another
as from pub to pub we went
pretty soon we couldn't speak straight
and our money we'd all spent

So we couldn't get a taxi
and the buses were all done
nothing left to do but walk it
and hope we find our way back home

So we walked around in circles
then the depot we did find
sure we could borrow a bus to get us home,
we'd just leave a not behind

Now Jack has pinched a car or two
in times of desperate need
so it only seemed too fitting
he be the one to do the deed

So I stood there like a sentry
as Jack he climbed the gate
He said he'd be two minutes
so I wouldn't long to wait.

But after twenty minutes waiting
I shouted "whats the trouble Jack?"
He said "the bus for Ballyneety
is parked right at de back"

So I told him not to worry
and what to do for best
"Take the bus for Knockananty,
we'll just have to walk the rest."

Soul searching
a popular past time
amongst those people here
with a penchant for a rhyme

Mistake making
we do lots of that too
if we didn't have experience
what would we have to share with you

Heart ache
another common thread
Sometimes broken and abused
sometimes ignored and left for dead

Good humour
perhaps a shield, perhaps a sword
sometimes deflecting true emotions
with a deftly wielded word

Compassion
it seems we have it by the score
and we share it with our readers
that's what poetry is for.

What the hell is it I'm doing?
Why am I always so **** nice
I step aside and take a break
so others shan't sacrifice

But what about what I want
why does that never come first
I always end up losing out
so others don't feel worse

I guess I'm hoping one day
someone will do the same for me
but time is running out here folks
just whens that day supposed to be.

I try and dream of fields of green,
from my prairie childhood.
But it doesn't come so easy,
midst these fields of mud and blood.

Six months ago in a Calgary inn,
we sat drinking on the benches,
now here we are as winter comes,
slowly rotting in the trenches.

King George he called,
and we all stood up,
proud young Canadian men.
It seemed like a big adventure,
at least it did back then.

But here we sit in Flanders Field,
slowly drowning day by day,
a mind can't help but escape and think,
there must be a better way.

I write this now so in years to come,
you'll know about this day.
The world will know of Passchendaele,
and of the price we paid.

If I should fall and die today,
tell my mother I fought well.
Take me home to Canada,
don't leave me in this hell.

Should I step aside
and leave you to your choices
is my presence just becoming
one too many voices

No matter what you do
someone will have to lose
someone will be hurt
and someone will be bruised

My concern in this is you
its you that you should put first
if you fail to follow your heart
your pain will be the worst

So however long it takes
and where e're the chips may fall
I will leave you to your choices
and wait for you to call.