I will not forget you,
this I know, is true;
loving you forever,
no matter what I do.
I will not deny you,
if someone asks me why;
why I let you go,
and never said, goodbye.
I will say I loved you,
and love was always there;
although  the sky was falling,
on me and everywhere.
I will always love you,
your memory's that strong;
enchantment was your gift,
you bewitched me with its song.
I will always love you,
from a distance, far away;
until the curtains close,
until that final day.

Craggy spires atop a canyon wall,
against a pure blue sky and sun;
the creek's flowing over tiny bridges,
and the day is only partly done.

Twenty miles away, lies Tucson,
you can see it's skyline shimmer;
but here is nature,  in the raw,
those are memories that linger.

Saguaros stand in stately fashion,
amongst the rock and barren land;
the views, they take away your breath,
the vistas sweeping, wide and grand.

It's 80 in this later month of winter,
this freaky temperature is strange;
I wear a t-shirt and my hiking shorts,
out here -   out in this open range.

Sabino Canyon is a place majestic,
reminding me of why I love the West;
the sky, a vast and huge umbrella,
the splendid canyon, takes care of all the rest.

Father, You know what each day brings,
You know my thoughts before I think;
can you hear my heart?   It sings!
my joy is filled, up to the brink.
I praise Your name with much thanksgiving,
for the sunshine of each day;
for the graciousness of living,
to follow God's sweet, wondrous way.
All the beauty, stems from Your mind,
all of the world's great, vast array;
all humans of a varied kind,
at work, at leisure and at play.
Give me wisdom and compassion,
to seek out the best of You;
fill me now, with love and passion,
make me Yours, before You're through.
I acknowledge my Creator,
I am blessed, because of Him;
keep from the instigator,
who incites the thoughts of sin.
Give me peace and understanding,
give me shelter from each storm;
give me insight in my planning,
by Your fire, keep me warm.

I'll never sow the seeds of discontent,
time with you is precious and well spent;
I could never seek to put you down,
you're too enjoyable to be around.
You'd never be an object of my scorn,
it's for your love only,  I was born;
we were soulmates then and we still are,
you're my guiding light and treasured star.
I will never be the one that lets you go,
it would pain me deeply - that you know;
I'll stay with you, through thick and thin,
you'll never have to wonder where I've been.
You are too beautiful, for me to ever lose,
you are the only one, I'd ever want to choose;
I will be committed... until the very end,
whatever obstacles ahead, around the bend.
I will never say to you...my dear,  it's over,
I'll never be a cheater or a wayward rover;
together...we can face both hurt and sorrow,
together...we can share the promise of tomorrow.

I am content with sun and sand,
atop the arid hill on which I stand;
watching shadows slowly spread,
my heart and soul are aptly fed.

The wind blows gently on my face,
and across the vast and empty space;
where there are things we cannot see,
alive and moving,  far from me.

The heat is absent from the day,
the sunset, begins its magic play;
the clouds, first pink, then red,
like some great wound, it's bled.

Then suddenly, it's twilight time,
as the hours, continue to unwind;
as I greet darkness, my old friend,
reminding me, it's near the end.

My life is pleasant and content,
with things I love and have spent;
the sun and sand are but a little trace,
all that I've enjoyed, while in this place.

I know why the caged bird sings;
it's for the hope of joy tomorrow -
it's for the hope to spread its wings
to fly away, from its sad sorrow.

It's for the dream of living free,
it's for the dream of soaring flight -
it's for the dream to only be,
for endless days that seem as night.

I know why the caged bird sings;
why his voice is strong with hope -
someone clipped his golden wings,
his songs reflect, his way to cope.

Outside his window, shines the sun
inside the house, there's not much light -
confined, he cannot fly or run,
he sings because he's lost the fight.

I know why the caged bird sings;
for being jailed - not of his making -
not knowing what tomorrow brings,
because his tiny heart is breaking.

They will never take my crown,
nor the faith, I have, in You;
You've been with me far too long,
and have always, seen me through.
Tough times come and tough times go,
there are many tribulations;
still, I bow my knee to You,
in my constant admiration.
They will never take my crown,
for You, will not, forsake me;
their wounds are fast and fleeting,
yet, my soul, is singing free.
Nations fall and nations rise,
yet Your word, it never fails;
I stand firm in solid hope,
whatever the assails.
They will never take my crown,
although the body falls;
although the body dies,
the Spirits soul stands tall.