Even on this summer morning,
I feel the coolness of a breeze;
wait patiently for wanted rain,
as I watch the buzzing bees.
They love my trumpet vine,
as do the hummingbirds;
in the distance, thunder rumbles,
like soft,  unspoken words.
The humid air feels strange,
on these desert, arid plains;
the sun is gaining strength,
as the coolness,  wanes.
Summer breezes cool again,
the monsoon weather's here;
hail, dust and gusty winds,
and not much rain, I fear.
But I'm an optimist,
full of faith and hope;
even if it never comes,
I always seem to cope.
Summer days are warm or hot,
and summer days are fickle;
grayish clouds are forming,
by God- I think I hear it trickle.

You haunt my dreams,
but only for moment,
the dreams fade fast,
just like you did;
the day you left,
there was no note,
there was no notice,
all things were hid.
I never searched,
to see if I could find you;
what is the use of -
searching for a ghost?
of all the girls I had,
you were my prize,
after all, it was you,
I loved the most.
Why did you leave
in such a hurry?
what was it, I had said
or done?
did I cause you pain,
or sorrow?
what made you flee -
what made you run?
Unanswered questions,
they nibble at my brain;
they sour mind and soul,
they leave me barely sane.
You left me only dreams,
and empty hands to hold;
to wrap around myself,
when nights, they get too cold.
So I am left with memories,
that die with every living day;
wondering why you left,
and went, so far away.

Lord, You made
all things beautiful,
from the rising sun,
to the crescent moon;
from the wanted rain,
to the ****** snow,
from the eagle's wing,
to the wailing loon.
To the heights of mountains,,
to the sand-kissed shore;
and when it was enough,
You created more.
Lord, You make
all things good,
from the taste of wine,
to the apple's bite;
from the hike to distant hills,
to the kid that flies the kite.
You gave us hope,
to face each day,
You gave us faith,
that never dies;
You gave us memories,
where sweet joy lies.
Lord, You are
my Comforter,
of endless dreams,
and strong desire;
the light that leads
me on the path,
and fills my soul
with fire.

People lounging on the grass
the tents, they form design,
displaying wares that no one buys,
the walkers stroll with their canine.

Arts and crafts and food vendors,
it's a human carnival;
they're shaded by the trees,
the shapely elms stand tall.

The boys are throwing Frisbees,
there are picnics in the making;
there are people in the shade,
it looks like naps they're taking.

It's noon-time at he Courthouse square,
and the fair is simply bustling;
panhandlers at the corners,
it looks like they are hustling.

I take the public viewing in,
amused at their charade;
the only thing that's lacking...
tomorrow's grand parade!

Basking in the summer sun,
warm breeze against my face;
spring is now an afterthought,
of spring... there is no trace.

The heat is dry and sauna-like,
there's no moisture in the air;
the humidity is nil,
in cloudless skies so fair.

The shaded porch is refuge.
to Sol's intensive rays;
a novel "kills" some time,
of endless, sunny days.

My day begins at five a.m.,
with coffee and a walk;
it ends at nine p.m.,
with mundane, t.v. talk.

This is my retirement,
the golden years fly by;
at peace, with solitude,
that's me, myself and I.

Give us now, our daily bread,
feast upon the staff of life;
know the peace of love,
that subdues all strife.

Know the bliss of joy,
that stems from Him alone;
that lifts your every burden,
from which you can't atone.

That removes all blemishes,
that used to bring you down;
that caused you all the pain,
that caused your brow to frown.

Be blessed by His abundance,
that never knows an end;
that shelters you from harm,
that comes around the bend.

Give us now, our daily bread,
the food that Christ can give;
the strength to face tomorrow,
the happiness to live.

I am done with my addictions,
the smoking and the drinking;
the "running"  after women,
what was it I was thinking?

Truth is, I wasn't thinking,
and so, I rolled in sin;
with no thought of tomorrow,
or places I had been.

I was young and ignorant,
couldn't see the road ahead;
couldn't find my way back home,
and I got lost instead.

Was it me or was it Spirit,
that turned my life around?
that shed the evil doings,
that made my body sound?

Like to think it was the hand,
unseen,  but strongly felt;
that softened up the toughness,
that made my anger, melt.

'Twas the genesis of faith,
the steps I took toward Him;
that freed me from my past,
and took away the sin.

It's Your morning Lord,
take me where I want to go;
away from all the politics,
of public face and show.

Away from Trump, Obama,
let me hear the Holy Spirit;
let me feast upon your Word,
draw my soul to where it's near it.

Give me peace of mind,
not the broadcast of a killing;
take me safely to Your shelter,
let Your blessing make me willing.

The choices made are all too wrong
don't they know the path they're treading?
without You to guide them,
they pick roads they now are dreading.

It's Your morning Lord,
I sing out with praise;
keep me free of evil,
all my live-long days.

You're really too **** far away,
to realize,  I matter;
too aloof from contact,
for my heart to shatter.

So I send you unread messages,
don't know if you got them;
there seems to be indifference,
we cannot mend or hem.

That's the way you wanted it,
me cut off  -  and ostracized;
I tried to swim to safety,
but the water was too wide.

Your forgiveness never came,
you seem to stay within a shell;
you taunt me with your silence,
for me  -  a living hell.

You're really too **** far away,
to reconcile the matter;
my poem is now in limbo,
just useless,  wasteful,  patter.

Outside, the snow is gently falling,
the fireplace is lit and burning;
I read a book, that I've been stalling,
inside of me, the heart is yearning.

Yearning for the days of times ago,
for the love of my New England days;
when no reason was enough to know,
the why  and wherewithal  of ways.

To find the joy, in just the simple things,
to find a peace, that envelopes the soul;
a snowfall, that such a scene does bring,
to garner joy,  that makes one whole.

My love is writing poems to stir my heart,
she sits,  contented,  by the open fire;
of my life,  she is the major part,
I look upon her with sweet desire.

New England winter on this summer day,
brings back a memory that's fine;
it was  my thoughts that were at play,
I drink the last of summer's wine.

I only know that love will still exist,
long after you and I are parted;
it doesn't stop and end in pain,
because of something we've now started.

Of course, there will be grief and sorrow,
but that will fade as time goes marching on;
but a burden will be shed,  and lifted,
long after we have seen exactly what went wrong.

Love never fails,  it's only human beings,
imperfect in the flesh, imperfect in their reason;
they're blinded by emotions they can't handle,
and so, they pass along,  as any season.

Some will part as friends, and some like foes,
some will bear their wounds and some will not;
but inside, well hidden, in the tortured soul,
the remains, will dissolve and slowly rot.

But one day, you'll see another pleasant sight,
that will attract you,  to its gleaming eye;
and  you will slowly fall in love again,
and with new-found wings...you'll fly.

Father bless this brand new day,
of summer's sun and ample shade;
may my heart but praise Your name,
before the evening shadows fade.

Keep me strong, in times of turmoil,
may my path be filled with light;
keep the evil always from me,
watch me safely through the night.

Let my soul reside in gladness,
against discouragement, my foe;
free my soul from worldly *******,
toward the truth, my mind does know.

Grace my ancient days with wonder,
to the holy majesty of You;
guard me from all gross deception,
to the things I see are true.

Be the rock of my salvation,
let me lean upon Your staff;
so that I might dwell in peace,
so I'll never know Your wrath.

Guide me on this awesome journey,
keep my heart from doing wrong;
so that I may know You ever,
to sing my joy to You in song.

Whatever will we do?
after we fall in love;
we will we fit together?
as they say, just like a glove.
Or will our road be strewn,
with grave misunderstandings;
like a plane tossed in the air,
with hope for a safe landing.
After we fall in love,
will our union be forever?
will we be rich or poor?
with every attempted endeavor.
Will it be like sweet and lovely?
or will it melt, like ice?
becoming a game of chance,
with each throw of the dice.
With love, there's got to be reason,
you have to involve the mind;
the heart alone is deceitful,
let's pray it is not your kind.

Nature never leaves you,
like certain people do;
one day there here,
next day there gone,
you search for someone new.

In the mountains, I am lost,
but I always find my way;
being lost is only bad,
if you've no other place
to stay.

Solitude is healing,
in the hills, I see forever;
in the walk of silent footsteps,
I  always find my pleasure.

Nature doesn't judge you,
it's just there to
please the eye;
clouds provide odd shapes,
as they slowly
drift on high.

People sometimes leave you,
but the sorrow lasts not long;
there are many other comforts,
to bring you a new song.

Put your trust in nature,
when in trust you have to start;
it will not leave you lonely,
it will not break your heart.

You said that you'd be there,
to catch me when I fall;
all I felt was empty air,
you weren't there at all.

You said you'd lift me up,
whenever I was down;
your leaving was abrupt,
you didn't stick around.

You said you'd be my honey,
through the laughter and the sadness;
but what's happened isn't funny,
now I know this thing called madness.

You said "I'll always love you,"
it was just the other day;
but hell is what you put me through,
and I never had my say.

You said I was your loving lad,
and you were my bonny bride;
but love is not the thing you had,
only arrogance and pride.

You said you'd love me till the end,
but the end, it never came;
you disappeared, around the bend,
as I called, in vain, your name.

If I've a choice,
it's love,
not hate;
love, it never fails,
if your master of
your fate.
If I've a choice,
It's peace
and never war;
war destroys all people,
peace opens
every door.
If I've a choice,
it's freedom,
no more a slave;
the truth,  it
sets you free,
you'll be
honest, strong
and brave.
If I've a choice,
then in God,
I must believe;
to lift my soul
to heaven,
and when dying,
not to grieve.
If I've a choice to make,
let me live by faith - alone;
to have a heart that melts,
and does not turn to stone.

Driftwood, basking,
in the early morning sun,
beside the stillness of
the water;
the day has just begun.

Warmness, creeping,
up my back and neck,
pastoral scenes abide,
at my call and beck.

Coots and loons, float by,
in a wet and dreamy landscape,
Jax and I are strolling,
it's our eight a.m. escape.

Cormorants speed by,
in fast and hectic flight,
bound for who-knows-where,
they're awesome in the light.

The walk is quite refreshing,
nature's face unfurled,
and today, at this one moment,
all's right, with all the world.

I know that when I left you,
I would never be the same;
but leaving you, I had to do it,
excuses are so sad and lame.

I was relieved, but hardly happy,
yet I'm serene and now at peace;
the tension's gone, the burden lifted,
the turmoil and the anguish, ceased.

Love's unkind in certain places,
there, with you, was one of them;
I had to nip it,   "in the bud,"
cut off the bending stem.

I know that when I left you,
what we had was done and gone;
but I couldn't listen to the record skip,
to play, again, the same old song.

And I know that when I left you,
the final curtain has come down;
and when I left, it was for good,
you and love,  this tired town.

I am tired of the
long and winding road,
the miles that seem to be,
never ending in their length;
the constant search for
new and far horizons,
erodes my tiring strength.

Yet there's adventure in
the climbing of the hill,
when suddenly, the view
appears unto the tired eye;
the scene unfolds below,
so beautiful, it makes one sigh.

The clouds recede in
shaded, varied form,
a hint of rain or just a shower;
nature's show of budding dreams,
I'm in awe, of its great power.

I am a weary traveler on this day,
the open highway becomes dull;
the hum of tires, monotonous,
I have lapsed into a lull.

I stop for coffee,   at some
unknown and lonely town;
park and **** the engine's noise,
stop and stretch and walk around.

The coffee does the trick
and I am off once more,
good for another hundred miles;
the cattle in the fields, behind
the fences, leer at me,  with
stupid smiles.

He complained, as he drove,
a car behind him too **** near;
he gazed at the speedometer,
the car was on his rear.
It passed us... doing sixty,
the speed limit, forty-five;
some drivers just like fast,
on speed, they seem to thrive.
He complained, as he drove,
other drivers were insane;
and the ones that tailgated,
they were his special bane.
No cops around when needed,
to catch that wily speeder;
to give to them,  a ticket,
for riding on his keister.
He complained, as he drove,
and I heard the tires,  sing;
then he got behind a car,
and did the same **** thing!

Father, we thank You for this day,
of sun and wind and cloud;
for love and joy and hope,
for a weary head, unbowed.
For the taste of maple syrup,
on pancakes, as a meal;
for the varied foods you give,
for the way they make us feel.
For music of our choice,
for the poets that make rhymes;
for the happiness of sharing,
the outcomes of our times.
For the solitude of silence,
far away from city sights;
for the brilliance of a sunset,
for the coming of the night.
Father,  great Creator,
we offer prayers to You;
almighty God,  Prince of Peace,
we praise You through and through!

The night is far along,
so where the hell are you?
was there something more
important,
you simply had to do?

Is your phone not working?
perhaps you couldn't find a
pen;
something else that mattered?
did you stop to see a friend?

Are there secrets now between us?
must you hide some things from me?
love doesn't harbor secrets,
it must be true and free.

I don't worry anymore love,
you can always find your way;
but the hour's late for loving,
way too late for play.


I will wait a little longer,
but after then, I'll seek my rest;
I'll leave the light on for you,
like I would for any guest.

I remember when -
you looked at me
with love,
with desire in your eyes;
you never said a word -
just smiled and
took my hand -
how swiftly the time flies.

I remember when -
your voice was
my delight
your laughter cheered me much;
you looked at me
with love,
you blew me air kisses
you nodded when I spoke
and I melted at your touch.

I remember when -
you wrapped me in
your arms
and a treasured bond we made;
we held each other tight
in between us
smothered space -
some memories never fade.

I remember when -
you looked at me
with love,
the world was beautiful and grand;
that was years
and years ago
but time does not forget,
and nothing worked as planned.

Yet I remember when
you  looked at me
with love,
my nights were filled with sweetened dreams;
now nights are short
and restless,
the dreams destroyed -
undone by lies and petty schemes.

When love unravels,
nothing stays the same;
but I remember when,
you softly called my name;

and you looked at me
with love =

it was long before,
the sorrow came.

Such a grand and glorious morning!
The air fresh and invigorating, I
want to "bottle it" and preserve it
forever;
Such days are far-between and fleeting,
the touch of spring, the lived-for-
weather.
Relish it, before it fades away,
when hot and muggy days appear;
then, hope that Autumn comes,
and soon - the cooler evenings near.
But then comes days, of gray and
chilly mornings,
when icicles from in your nose;
when brutal cold comes from the north,
and shatters your repose.
Seasons change more often than we think,
here one afternoon, then next day, gone;
the earth turns fiercely as we stand and speak,
the march of time... goes on and on.
And too soon, we fade, as does the setting sun,
knowing that the race, it soon will end;
we go, like changes in the ever-constant seasons,
wondering what awaits beyond the bend.

Don't show me no recliner,
stop the chatter and the talking;
let me lace my hiking boots,
and let me be off -  walking.

East of the burning sun,
where a shadow's just a friend;
where I can see for miles and miles,
where the roads - they never end.

Where the mountains rise above me,
where the ridgeline's edge is high;
where horizons fade in silence,
and above me - only sky.

There's a solace in this desert place,
soft peace,  that fills the soul;
that gives me satisfaction,
where nothing is my goal.

Just a sense of new found freedom,
like a wandering vagabond;
at one, with all of nature,
my feet and heart respond.

Unless the Lord,
builds the house,
then... in time,
it will not stand;
men build houses,
like they way want to,
according to their plan.

But, is their house a home?
is God included, there?
is love a pillar of it?
the sort that they can share?

Time erodes most things,
so fades away, the rose;
gone to fading memories,
man thinks, but our God knows.

A house is temporary,
and if divided, soon will fall,
like dreams that flee in thought,
like it was never there at all.

Is it built upon the Rock?
how strong are the foundations?
will it withstand all weather?
will it go, like shaky nations?

Will it exist in future times?
and not fall by the way?
Unless the Lord,
He builds the house;
we ask, receive and pray.

Must I reject my God
because
the world's in turmoil?
because the world is
sinking fast?
Must we always make
excuses?
for what we know,
will never last.
In Noah's time, the
same was happening,
mankind's fate was
forever sealed;
the flood was greater
than man could cope,
in their sins they died,
never saved, nor healed.
And now the curtain
falls again,
will you escape its hell?
or will you die in sin?
like Eve and Adam fell?
Must I reject my God?
because
things didn't go my way?
because
no answers came
when I knelt down to pray?
I will fall for Christ alone,
and not for any man;
for worldly men of flesh,
they'll never understand.
Just what God is -
and stands for,
for the blood Christ shed
for all;
for His Power
and His Glory
is what makes us
stand tall.

First, there was the darkness,
one long, progressive night;
confusion was its rule,
then suddenly, came light.
And the darkness knew it not,
as it hid from things too bright;
to camouflage its evil acts,
it shunned and fled the light.
It could not understand its God,
the darkness veiled its eyes;
it served another master,
the father of all lies.
The reason men loved darkness?
they'd do wrong, instead of right;
always sinning, always blinded,
from the heaven of God's light.
One day, they'll be no darkness,
when the serpent's cast away;
when God's Son returns to earth,
may His light come soon we pray!

Father, I have trust, Your truth will long endure.
for Your word is honest,   strong and pure;
it rests my heart, from doing wrong,
my soul sings, Your praise,  in song.

You lift me high above the sinful earth,
and I give thanks, for my human birth;
to learn Your laws, that keep  me sound,
to keep me safe, where I am bound.

You give me peace, in the midst of storm,
You give me shelter, to keep me warm;
You bring me joy, and ease the sorrow,
so I stand tall, and face tomorrow.

You give me beauty, to where I turn an eye,
You cause my thoughts,  to rise and fly;
to where the mind,  can  find its  rest,
to find the bliss,  that I know best.

These are the lyrics of my thoughts to You,
for You are with me,  in everything I do;
there is no other life,   that I can truly see,
and so Your precious love, abides in me.

There's a gypsy in the heart of me,
that wants to run the road;
a vagabond is lurking there,
to the fields, my heart's been sold.
There's a restless soul that's yearning,
to wonder at the wild;
a carefree, urging spirit,
of an enchanted child.
There's a ***** inside my blood,
that never will be still;
to hear and see all nature,
until I've had my fill.
There's a traveler in my mind,
who hears the seashore's song;
to walk along the beaches,
to escape the cities throng.
There's a gypsy in my musings,
that clamors for the highway;
ever searching, ever seeking,
an endless, nameless byway.

Mud and snow, block the path,
we slow, and find our way;
the sun is bright, the skies so blue,
are the reasons that we stay.

Darkened pines obscure the view,
of snow-capped peaks far off;
we dodge the rock strewn trail,
puddles shine, like brownish broth.

Then, the hillsides open up,
a thousand feet, above the road;
the highway is a serpent,
through the mountain's fold.

The air up here is pure and clean,
it rejuvenates the being;
the soul is stirred by visions,
of the beauty we are seeing.

We hike until we're tired,
though our weariness is nice;
for this time and for this moment,
this walk...   it will suffice.

At rest, with sunshine on my face,
I feel it stretch across my cheek;
warm, with Spring's approaching grace,
it pleasures me, this day, this week.

My soul's at peace, with honeyed air,
I bask contented, my worries, nil;
I've no troubles and I've no care,
the morning's splendid, calm and still.

How very sweet to be; satisfied with life,
relishing the moments, in synch with mood;
free from hurt and pain and constant strife,
no depression, no sadness; no need to brood.

It's such relief, to set aside  my weary anger,
the burden now, has left this grateful heart;
with it, I was always on the edge of danger,
how glorious it is, to see its rage depart.

What is this source, that brings me to this end?
it's faith in God and in His blessed Son;
knowing Him, has taught me how to mend,
knowing that the battle I have fought, is won.

Birds chirp at dawn's break,
their varied voices sing;
for the rising of the sun,
for what the day will bring.
Light becomes the norm,
as shadows fast recede;
the fish come to the top,
of waters, where they feed.
The night is all forgotten,
with blessed, restful sleep;
our pulses quicken motion,
our energy begins to seep.
The best of time is morning,
the hope that springs eternal;
that started at our birth gift,
of a being called...maternal.
Made in God's great image,
like the Father and the Son;
to all things, give Him glory,
as our human race is run.

Be faithful until death,
and you'll gain a crown of life;
overcome the obstacles,
that unfold as pain and strife.
You are made of sterner stuff,
to praise and honor Christ;
to suffer persecution,
with each throw of the dice.
There's a better world awaiting,
after ours comes to an end;
there's a new earth in the making,
around the final bend.
Hold fast to all its promise,
the deaf will hear, the blind will see;
the sun will shine on everyone,
in the new eternity.
Every knee will bow to Him,
the sinner and the saint;
take heart to wait that day,
never worry, never faint.

Please...leave us the hell alone!
we don't want democracy;
take away your so-called pride,
and your,  morality!
You claim to be a Christian,
but God's not in your schools;
you cannot say a public prayer,
the state, not church, it rules!
You say we are intolerant,
of what we will accept;
but we don't share your values,
(some secrets are best kept!)
What matters to you most?
we tend to say...it's money;
you claim that we are "backward,"
you think our ways are "funny."
But our God is not mocked,
the wages of sin...it's death;
so keep your "morals" to yourself,
and your lying, stinking, breath!

50 million choices silenced,
by the scalpel and the knife;
inside, growth has stopped,
outside, there is no life.
Boys and girls, together,
now perish, in the womb;
once it was a  sanctuary,
now,   it's just a tomb.
They will know no laughter,
they will know no tears;
no loving, smiling faces,
no memories of years.
Mother did not want them,
so they were discarded;
thrown away. like garbage,
before the birth had started.
50 million voices,  silenced,
a life flushed down the drain;
the reasons,  brushed away,
in a nation -  we call sane.

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.

I awaken, to a sound of silence,
savoring the coffee that I drink;
immune to varied things around me,
I read the word of God...and think.
What's life, without a Savior's presence?
with just a world of men to contemplate?
would I feel secure about my future?
or would I stop and shudder at my fate?
This country now, appears divided,
and a "house" divided cannot stand;
is this what God above intended?
or simply man's, great foolish plan.
Do we really think we are the masters,
of events that happen each and every day?
or is there something higher than ourselves,
that unknown to us, comes into play?
I stand in awe of my Savior and Creator,
who is always,  merciful and just;
who'll give us life beyond the grave,
soon after we have turned to dust.

Tell me, you don't love me anymore,
that you, have found somebody new;
and I will walk right out the door,
you need not tell me that we're through.
Tell me, you can't go on much longer,
that everything I do is simply wrong;
some say pain just makes one stronger,
***, I've heard that lame old song.
Tell me, nothing that I do will matter,
that you lack something in your life;
if you knew, it's my soul you shatter,
would you stay and be my faithful wife?
Tell me, that you only need some space,
that you've got to get your **** together;
then I'll say to you, I'll only miss your face,
and any other storm, I'll **** well whether.
Tell me, you don't want me in your sight,
that the sooner that I leave... the better;
then I will hurry and step into the night,
with no goodbyes, farewells, or letter.

Winter's sun gives little warmth
but Your word is a fire;
I strive and pray for truth,
You give me my desire.
Your word is strong within my heart,
it keeps me on the path;
away from worldly sins,
it stays me from Your wrath.
I'll take each day of life,
and praise You for its blessings;
for giving me the moral choice,
instead of mankind's guessing.
The hours of my days are blessed,
by Your eternal guidance;
and I sleep safely in the night,
by Your sweet reliance.
The season pass and quickly go,
yet Your word lasts forever;
creating bonds that last for life,
beyond all human measure.

Father, I will know thee,
much better after death;
once that I have taken,
my final, dying breath.

For we must die,
before we live;
and as Your son,
one life, we live.

We offer up our lives to You,
in fervent hope;
You'll see us through.

For in this thing called life,
our work is but a test;
and what comes afterward,
will all be for the best.

Your truth's a shining light,
a beacon from above;
in life's relentless fight.

A lamp unto our hurried feet,
where hearts and souls;
so often meet.

The glow of day, is fading fast,
the things we love, they never last;
we put our treasured hope in You,
knowing You will see us through.

You are the true, eternal dream,
where things are not, quite what they seem;
in You, we truly, clearly see,
we'll live on in, Your memory.

Where it ends and where it starts,
it's seldom that I know;
I reach for thoughts inside,
and then, just let them flow.

Like the seasons, my mood changes,
sometimes buoyant, sometimes not;
sometimes crazy, sometimes sane,
but never borrowed, nor not bought.

The winter starts with coldness,
with frost and ice and snow;
with chill and slippery steps,
with northern winds that blow.

It starts with night-time darkness,
so much longer now, than day;
we hibernate to quell the time,
to push the night away.

Today, the season's got me,
as I muse on its arrival;
forgetting all my leisure,
dwelling on survival.

In the throes of Heartbreak Canyon,
I came across a fellow rover;
he spoke of his undying love,
while she told him, it was over.
We shared the lonely miles together,
and talked about, the pits of hell;
he was a spectacle of plight,
a man in torment...I as well.
Yet there are hurts that can't be shared,
and there are words that can't be spoken;
there's only emptiness of souls,
when two loving hearts are broken.
Lost in a wasteland, nothing grows,
the ground beneath you... shaking;
and you've no solace from a friend,
a sorry world of your own making.
Here's where Heartbreak Canyon is,
it's in the canyons of your mind;
where misery replaces love,
lost with souls of your own kind.

There's nothing quite so grand as hiking,
to some secluded, green and grassy knoll;
where views show unobstructed beauty,
then I can say it's well, within my soul.

When I've reached the summit of success,
and I've realized the treasured goal;
then I can bask, in quiet satisfaction,
for it's well, so very well, within my soul.

When I ask myself the haunting question,
who it is, for whom the bell does toll;
I recall the captain of salvation,
and I can say, it's well, within my soul.

When I know, that without Him, I am lost,
when I'm aware, it's Him, that makes me whole;
then there's that peace that passes understanding,
and it is well, so very well, within my soul.

When I see waves, that kiss the fertile shore,
white-tipped water, on its merry roll;
then I have seen, a view of heaven's glory.
and all is well, so very well, within my soul.