Father, I know them not
whose feet are quick to run
to plot heir evil deeds
such people are to shun.
Those who break God's law
as if it was not there
those who follow others
like them, they do not care.
Father, I know them not
that speak of hate and anger
curse the color of one's skin
they only harbor danger.
They want to shout and yell
to harm the peaceful soul
they never stop to think
what really makes them whole.
Father, I know them not
they scoff at God and love
laugh at law and order
and warnings from above.

Are You running with me, Jesus?
through the tunnel we call life;
through the many slings and arrows,
of the ugly thing called strife?
Until the race is finished Lord,
we run with great conviction;
being honest with each person,
offering only peace, not friction.
Are You running with me, Jesus?
in this world that says You're dead:
in this world that chooses money,
and just gives You up instead.
They overfeed their bellies.
like their politics and greed;
they're chasing false beliefs,
they know not what they need.
Are You running with me, Jesus?
in the heartache of the night;
in the weary daytime hours,
we must go on with the fight.

114 degrees in the valley
glad I moved up north
away from killer heat
in numbers, I was fourth.

My folks moved here first
then my brother and sister
I finally made it up  here
(slowed by a heat blister)

The summer days in Phoenix
go on for way too long
even in the fall
there's no September song.

Triple digits make their mark
from April through October
relentless, oven-baked days
before the season's over.

It's a dry heat, so they say
but when you're hot, you're hot
when you're a 100 miles northwest
it's a much more pleasant spot

Walking in the pouring rain, I'm soaked
in the middle of a empty desert plain
pelted hard with big , wet, chilly drops
that sting and  make me flinch in pain.

My ballcap provides a little shelter
but it isn't long before it's soggy too
I search the skies for decent weather
but there only patches that are blue.

I resign myself and say it could be worse
instead of only rain, it could be hail
and improbably it could be snow
that would be covering up the trail.

August rain, from monsoon season
is unpredictable and often rude
coming fast, without much warning
it fouls and blemishes my cheery mood.

But being the long-lived desert rat I am
I take it with just a grain of precious salt
walking in the open spaces with no shelter
forgetting my umbrella's my **** fault.

The field has far too many
the choices, far too few
not much hope of any
making progress through.

It's a star show in the making
dressed up, upon the stage
are they real or are they faking?
when will they turn the page?

Where do they stand on this?
where do they stand on that?
it seems it'***** or miss
methinks they need a map.

Politics is strange and weird
often, it is tragic
they want to be endeared
as if, perhaps, by magic.

The candidates stand short and tall
stating all their  views
they'll celebrate today
tomorrow...just old news.

Lord - This is true, I know
from You, all good things flow
peace and joy and love
come down from high above.

Gone is anger and conceit
You have caused their swift retreat
along with hate and greed
for You satisfy our every need.

Lord - This I know is true
You forgive us through and through
when we pray and then repent
time with You is time well spent.

You bless our every strong desire
by Your holy righteous fire
if it is right,  not wrong -
You give us heaven's song.

Lord - I know this much is true
we're better when we think on You
starting now -  and never later
our precious, grand and great creator.

The sun is blazing hot,
in my corner of the world;
my dog is resting by the vent,
his body slightly curled.
I check the temp. at six,
still ninety in the shade;
a warm wind's blowing gently,
as the evening starts to fade.
In  a hour's time, perhaps,
we'll saunter down the street;
with hope of shadows growing,
to help ward off the heat.
A little stroll for exercise,
to get the blood a-flowing;
content to walk in circles,
we know where we are going.
Summer comes on strongly,
in this section of the west;
sometimes comforting...
today, it's just a pest.