Way down south
beneath the line
where stories muddle up
with time
there are some trees

leaves of green
and flowers white
decorate the
southern night
from these trees

branches marked
but not by time
burned out by
jute and knotted twine
from these trees

close your eyes
and think when
these trees
were weapons of the men
these trees

nothing grows
out from the root
of these trees
no strange fruit
on these trees

once the fruit
that hung up here
filled many folks
with mortal fear
of these trees

not apples, pears
grow here today
and no strange fruit
of Billie Holliday...
grow on these trees

I don't expect someone to take a bullet for me,
But I expect a friend to pull the trigger.

I hold in all my sorrows,
and listen to people ****** whine,

you're having a hard time,
but I'm begging my whole body to stop the urge to cry.

and you put me down,
and my eyes tear up,

This is why I shut everyone out,
this is why I cried,

all alone,
by myself,

They sneak up on you
The same time every year.
But each year they are different;
Different people, different places,
More people, fewer people.
Old friends, new friends,
Lovers, family, random celebrants.
Each birthday is a time capsule
A specific moment sliced from the year,
Seemingly mundane, but oh so telling.
As we age, we pretend to ignore them,
Not wanting to count the years or
Admit to their significance.
But if others forget them,
We are hurt deeply.
As the day approaches
We are forced to assess our life,
The past months, the past years
The days ahead, the shortage of days to come.
A happy day is always the wish from others,
As if saying it will make it happen.
If only life worked that way.
But it is our day, our one special day
No matter our sins or transgressions,
We can bask in the glory just this once,
This day is our reward, for nothing in particular.
Just for being, just for living,
Just for having survived.
But maybe that is worthy of acclaim.
Every day, every week, every month
And surely every year
Is a struggle.
Let’s celebrate perseverance.
Let’s celebrate fortitude.
Let’s celebrate strength of character,
To whatever degree it exists.
Let’s celebrate hurdles,
Overcome or faced with courage.
Let’s celebrate disappointment
Profound disappointment that failed
To defeat us.
Let’s celebrate not giving up
In the face of overwhelming fear.
Let’s celebrate the journey
In all it’s joy and dejection.
And most of all
Let’s celebrate the days to come
And that glimmer of hope
That keeps us plodding along,
Fighting, struggling, sacrificing,
And wincing in pain
Every day of the year
So we live to see another
Birthday.

I went down to my local bar
It was country music night
I sat and listened for a while
Then, called it a night

I didn't get the music
It was poppish, bubblegum
I finished up my beer and  left
I wished I hadn't come

When did we lose Western?
When did Western cease to be?
They may call it Country music
But, it don't sound right to me

All I saw were baseball hats
On backwards I should stay
Kids were doing jello shots
And the "band" just couldn't play

They didn't sing of horses
Old Glory, or the West
They sang of drinking on a plane
And getting drunk and messed

When did we lose Western?
Where did Western go?
This isn't   country music
It's something I don't know

On Tuesday I went back again
Open Mic night would be fun
I came in with my guitar
But, I didn't bring my gun

I got on stage and started out
Singing songs...all Western
I was the only one without a cap
I was wearing my old Stetson

When did we lose Western?
Where did Western cease to be?
This wasn't what I grew up on
It isn't right to me

Cowboys, farms and Johnny Cash
Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline
That is what I like to hear
That's the music that is mine

Next time I go in there
And it is Country night
I'm gonna ask "what country?"
And I'll end up in a fight

When did we lose Western?
When did Western cease to be?
This may be Country Music
But it don't sound right to me

They say, they are with us
they say, they care
but in the middle of night
as you wake up
you are all alone  
                          
                   Everyone have their own dilemma
                   Everyone have things they care
                   Everyone have their priorities
                  you might not always be chosen over other
                   in fact they might not even bother
                  Through the lonely days and lonely nights
                  you are all alone


to million of dreams
to trillion of journey
you have to walk all by yourself
through the hurdles and struggles
you are all alone

                            At the end of the day
                           we are a individual, a soul
                           No matter how much we deny
                           Life is a journey
                         And we are travelling all alone.