This bravery and courage that you forge on today
for the uncertainty you feel as it all passes away
a future unknown for your wishes un-sewn
as you pray for a magician, or miracle to steady your sway
while you weep for the regrets of your yesterdays
be brave and courageous for that’s what it’s about
because when you get older, and wiser these things that you shout
curses, and daggers you kick in the sand
for the souls that have harmed you
with blood on their hands
See nobody tells you these things when you’re young…
when you’re too old for dancing
or, having some fun
you’ll wish, and you’ll dream
that you danced in the sun.

The little Princess looked up at the giants
asking them a question with defiance
“When will I be big? When will I be strong?
I want to leave this place right now.
You see, I don’t think that I belong.”
The giants looked down upon her
(as if they were both quite sure)
“You are a slave. Now be quiet, and behave.
You’ll never be big
You’ll never be strong
You are a slave, and it is here that you belong”
The little Princess knew this was wrong
for she had a faint memory of a Castle,
and rings, and lots of shiny things
of pony’s, and toys
where she was loved by a King,
and Queen with joy.
The little Princess grew up beautiful, and strong —
she sang music, and she wrote songs
Then one day in the forest
she met a Prince who’s name was Lawrence
he’d heard her sing a lovely song
and,
he began to sing along —
he said, “Your parents have been searching for you so long”
and, with tears in her eyes
she whispered,
“You mean I have wings to fly?”
“Yes”, he replied
then he pulled her up so high
shooting under a moonlit sky
to a Castle where she belonged
and, when she woke up
she'd been dreaming all along.

I’ve got myself a dreamer
he wants to take me far away---
from here---
the midnight heat on shabby streets
the Sunset strip/the guys I meet
He wants to take me far away /from here---
He says/My Dear--
Let’s fly away from here ---
today----
I wasn’t always this way
that’s what I always say--
today--
my dreams of fame, and, fortune
flown --- away--
life on the streets
it has no pulse/there is no heart
it has no beat
It's worn me down n' I've been so cold
while on my feet
yeah, while on the street
If you stare into my eyes,  
you might see a reflection of all the darkness/all the lies
I've been told--
since I was just a young girl
of just nine years old--

you might see tears welling up in my blue eyes
you might see a person living in disgrace...
I've been alone...
n' I'm too young to have a face like stone
Darkness has settled in..
blood mixed with wine...
casting shadows/casting sins

I’ve been on my own
since I was nine
and I had to learn to make a dime
Because I learned early on---
that life was not always  
warm or,  kind--


(hook)
Now I’ve got myself a dreamer
he wants to take me far away---
from here---
the midnight heat on shabby streets
the Sunset strip/the guys I meet
He wants to take me far away/from here---
He says/My Dear---
Let’s fly away from here ---
today--

When it feels like it's been raining for too long
through endless days and endless nights /it's been the same old
story/yeah, the same **** fights
you've endured ice cold silence
through ice cold rain and ice cold nights
yeah n' you never thought you'd be the one to walk away
but that's exactly where you find yourself today
because in the end there's really nothing you can say
yeah, you finally have to be the one to walk away
to keep from getting rained on everyday
and, you know there will always be things you're going to miss
like the way he used to look at you before each kiss

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a ghost that loved to spy

the ghost having lived long ago
flew down from the sky into her open window
dropping flower petals at her feet in rainbow colors
where he would cling to her body
breathing in her every breathe
watching her go about her day
whispering her name softly into her ear
he would brush up against her silk white skin
each night,
forever wanting...
forever haunting
one day...
She caught a glimpse of him
out of the corner of her eye.

A day with friends —
yet you’re all alone
but you can’t help be so entertained
by the engaging dialogue
that’s so insane
you must write these words
upon the page
you must write, and write!
you can’t explain
it’s like an itch
that you must scratch
an annoying tick
or, a nat
You know there are others
(that it’s not just you)
writers with friends…
inside their rooms.

The front office lady that looked like a man as she handed over her belongings.  She remembered the man-lady's plump hotdog like fingers as her iPhone was pressed into her small, and delicate hand. One phone call allowed. With barely any battery charge left. Everyone she knew was busy at work back home. Scrambling to think of someone, anyone, she called her dry cleaner. Ring. Ring. Ring. A cheerful female voice answers, "He-roe, Sunshine Dry Creaning, how may help?" She nervously spoke, "Uhh, yeah this is-- Taylor. I need you to get me out of this place where I'm at". A pause. "Tay-loe? You have ticket? I can no barely hear." Click. The man-lady with fat fingers wearing man pants with a man shirt bellowed loudly, "We can't let you leave unless you reach someone on the phone!" Miraculously, the young girl's cousin twice removed in Kansas, five thousand miles away, picks up the next call. Hot dog fingers looks angry as she watches the young girl drag her belongings down a well maintained flowery garden path.  The iron gate squeaks open, and crashes loudly behind her. Her nerves feel shot, and she wonders how, or, even if she'll make it home, alive.  In the hot desert 120 degree sun she juggles a large water bottle in one hand as she drags a large melting trash bag on the lava like-desert pavement. She keeps having to run back to retrieve shampoo bottles. Stolen toothbrushes. Scattered clothes. Determined. She keeps walking with her garbage bag, and a single suitcase bumping along the gravel road.  An old beat-up station wagon slows down, and stops next to her. A car door swings open, and the young girl climbs inside.

Someone hands her a cold beer. The hot air from the open window burns her face as her hair blows carelessly in the air. They speed down a lonely desert highway located somewhere in, Nowhere, CA.

I don't know why you feel this way
All I have to say is I wish you'd stay--
No, no, no/ please don't run, run, away--

Yeah, I just want to dance/in the rain with you---
dance in the rain like we used to do
Please don't say we're through--
Remember all the good days that we had
when we were young, and just so glad
to look into each others eyes/and realize
that our love was here to stay, stay--

I don't know why you feel this way
you've turned your back on me
and, I can't make you see--
that all the things you dislike in me
are really the parts of you
that scare you/that make you run/run/run
just like you always do.
you say we're done--
you don't see/you're just like me/don't want to stay/
got to walk away-----away, away--
Yeah --

All I hear from you is --
you can't take me/got no time/it's my crime
Yeah--

I don't know why you feel this way
All I have to say is I wish you'd stay
No, you don't have to run, run, run
away, away---
I just wish that you would give me a second chance
I just want to dance/in the rain with you --
dance in the rain like we used to do
but you say we're through --
Please stay, stay--

Yeah ---.
Please stay--

I have a one heart song
and, it’s dancing in my head
yes, it feels like a warm Spring breeze
and, it’s just around the bend
No, need to wait
let’s write our song
right now instead
we can add some Stars
and, we’ll add our own guitars
we can mix it up a bit
and,
add a string Quartet —

I think this world could use a song
about all that’s good not wrong
they’ll be cheering in the streets
and, dancing to our beat

The sun will begin to shine again
the wars will finally stop
n', end —

I have a song for you
about Red, White, and Blue
it’s about Uniting us
as one
including everyone
the old, the middle—
and, the young

And, they’ll be cheering in the streets
while they’re dancing to our beat

It’s a one heart song
Yes, where everyone gets along.

I won't let you use me like the other girl hanging on your arm
Yeah, I saw you last night singing to that other girl with your guitar
the way you gazed into her eyes is just like all the other times
you used me like before like a devil at my door

Yeah, and I know it's my own **** fault when I met you in New York
I was taken by your charm but it's the weapon you use to harm
I've seen the damage that you've done n' I just won't be another one
who's been used just like a rag/then your small ego has to brag
you're just a devil that's been at my door n' I don't know you anymore

(hook)
Devil at my door /don't ever come 'round me no more
cause I'll take you down, down, down
if you ever come 'round 'round 'round
I won't be the other girl hanging on your arm
n' all your devil charms don't work no more
I see the devil in all your lies
when I look into your devil eyes

Sorry, no
I don't think so

I don't do that anyway
I don't know why you think that way
cause I'm a woman with some class

Yeah, cause I'm a woman with some sass
And, I'm not just a piece of a**

Sorry, No
I don't think so

Baby, if you can't learn to treat me right
I'll kick, and scream each and every night

So, there's the door
I don't want to be with you...
anymore

and, I'll bury you in the ground
while I'm boxing you up n' down
that's alright by me
cause don't you see...

Well, baby that's just me

I will bite,
and kick and scratch
cause I'm a woman with some sass
Yes, I will kick
Yes, I'll bite
and, I will scratch
Cause baby, that's just me
hope you can finally see

I'm like a cat
I'll scratch, claw, and kick
I'll hiss
I'll do way more than this...

Baby, you better treat me right
because I will put up a fight

Sorry, No
I don't think so

If you think you can get like that
Yeah Baby, I'm gonna be a cat
I'll claw you up n' down
until you can't take another round...

Sorry, No
I don't think so..

Cause you don't know
who you're messing with
while you're saying you're with me
the whole time you've been with her

Sorry, No
I don't think so

Cause you just don't know
who you're messing with
Baby, I can be a total *****
you have no idea who you're messing with

Between ourselves
between the shelves
our photographs tell our story
of a past that held so much glory
now we've both moved on
from a past that still haunts
haunts me with photographs
between the shelves
between ourselves
our story that finally ended
ended long ago in the past
our love that didn't last.

Freedom* is like water it shapes anything it will hold
seeking words like faith, and courage
it responds to what it's told.
Freedom rushes danger even in the face of death
willing itself into this form until it finally rests.
Freedom speaks to every color it does not pick, and choose
pouring its shape forever until it rests in you.

If I could be some kind of God for just a day
I would take all of your pain away
replacing your every crying tear you've ever had, My Dear
turning them into days of sunshine toward the past
I've made plenty of mistakes while you grew up
you were so wonderful to love
heaven sent you to me from above
and, now that you have grown
I wish I could have known
that the same scars given to me as a lass
have now gone onto the next generation's torch to pass
You say that I am dead to you
I pray to God someday that somehow I'll find a way
to stay strong for you, and say
If I could be a God for just a day --
I'd make all your pain, and sadness go away
My daughter I am sending sunshine, and love to you...
Each, and every single day..
I wish that you could see just how precious you are to me...
And these icy tears I cry are just filled with so many questions why...
now my own mother that scarred my heart back when
starting way back before I turned ten...
seems to have convinced you of all her "zen"
it's just so ironic to me that's all...
how all the secrets, and the lies get replaced
I now carry your own Grandmother's disgrace.

It's just another day in News Speak Nation

Our country tis' of thee
sweet land of the liberty
of thee I sing

It's a News Speak Nation while CNN drones on
they just want you to sing along.

Now the people wonder where we went wrong.

Land where my fathers died
land of the Pilgrims pride

It feels like one big dream
why don't you sing with me?

From ev'ry mountainside
Let freedom ring

While the news keeps blasting on
how we don't get along
the wars keep marching on
It's a News Speak Nation
spreading fear, n' damnation
when every one of us can say
our ancestors made their way
through stormy sea's
to kiss the ground, and pray.
Don't believe what the politicians say
they just want to have their way.
Buying votes as they crack their jokes
playing games with our votes.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.

While the gap of the rich and poor
widens deep
the middle class can't compete.

The letter from her mother from another time
reminded her of a loss that she could never find
its ink began fading line by line
her soul left crumpled, and feeling dead
for all the kind words that were never said
a lack of comfort that was never given…
or, ever read --
her only daughter banished away
from her mother to this day
and, so the letter not read collects its dust
because of all the years of broken trust.

It's open season as we walk down the street
we were just keeping to ourselves
when cat calls, and whistles came to us
at the age of twelve
and, we looked to our fathers or, brothers to understand
they took us by the hand
saying,
"It's open season on little girls
now you'll have to put away your dolls n' things
go put on mommy's lipstick, and paint your face
here are some tall boots
and -- a black top with silk n' lace"
Those of us that survived
knew that it was a higher education
that would help us thrive
there were always the ones that sold out
and, you can see them on the street
the challenges of open season
just too great for them to meet.

She floats just above the ground
whenever visitors decide to come around
from room to room she roams
when she's feeling all alone
and, she longs for the laughter that once was --
that echoed up and down her halls
her children are all gone with time and, distance
its made her spirit ache it's been so long
there's the sound of a ticking clock
(tick, tick, tock)
reminding her of a half knitted infants sock
where she remembers leaving it before she left
Oh, and she'd cry if she had any tears
but all she has is her ghost house year after year...
where she roams from room to room
(waiting, always waiting)
waiting for her children to come home soon.

Until now ...
I had always looked a minute ahead or, a mile down the road
instead of gazing upon a flower that was blooming, or, had grown
Until now...
I had always waited years, and years for happiness to show
Until now...
I looked for love in your reflection
instead of looking deep inside of me.
*Until now...

Goodnight, Helen...
my Dear
my Friend...

She was here, and now she’s gone
we had just spoke of the daisy's on her lawn
blowing in the wind
she said there were butterfly’s folding from within
beating like two hearts in love
drumming to the dancing stars above
She was here, and now she’s gone
Helen, I still hear your wistful song

Oh, what a life this could have been
if only I’d met you then
I would of stared up into your eyes
and, been smitten by your smiles
We would have danced into the night
until the morning light

Oh, what life with someone as amazing
such as you —
the kind of love that’s shared that’s true
with a man as wonderful as you
dancing, and twirling into the night
until the morning light

A chance meeting would have made this wish
come true
Oh, and what a life —
if dreams were wishes that came true
I would choose to be with you.

I can’t think of what’s been lost or, gained
all I know is things are not the same
I’m just standing in rain looking back on us again
wondering, wondering
when it all began to take a fall
was it that rainy night when I had called
and, it wasn’t the sound of you at all
I always thought we could beat the odds
it was gonna be you n’ me against them all
now our forever dream has ended
with just crazy lawyers n’ banks contending
sometimes I don’t even think it’s real
cause I’m so numb that I can’t feel

and, I can’t think of what’s been lost or, gained —
all I know is things are not the same —
yeah, baby not the same
there is no love that has remained
just shattered hearts in shattered glass
of all the dreams that we once had

I’m just standing in the rain looking back on us again
I guess that’s where I may have got it wrong
I guess it’s time for me to move along
don’t know where I’ll be going but I’ve got the dog
and, I’m a blowing
gonna stop this wondering now
this change was destiny somehow.

It's okay to say I don't know
since the beginning of time
we've wanted control
through bloodied fields
through embittered wars
searching for answers
for more and, more
looking out
instead of in
always outside
not within
causing confusion
confessing sins
dream like illusions
the only conclusion...
is that I don't know a thing.

Though you may not love me anymore, on any day, in any way
I still love you
My darling I still love you ---
I just spent the longest hour of any day of any hour
thinking of the ways I still love you
(humming)
I may not be able to regain your love, on any day in any way, in any hour
I don't have that kind of power ---
but at least I can say I tried
I tried, and tried before I cried ---
that you would be anything close to me
again--
(humming)
Just remember
It's love I always send
and it will never end--
to you, to you, to you---
I send love to you
you, you, you ---
And though you're dear to my heart
I must make a new start
at something new --
New to me, and you.
New, new, new ---
for me and you.

In a land called far away
where there is Magic everyday
you can dream of a life you really want
perhaps you even live in Camelot
in a castle that floats up in the sky
you can float on pink magic carpets
up so high
Dragons say hello as they fly by...
Little Fairies bring you presents all day
begging you to come out n' play...
And couples stay together forever n' ever...
Because they know they've found treasure.

Chained to her bed
she was shaking
Yeah, she looked dead
sliding off she hit head
didn't know that cops could be that tough
didn't know they could be that rough
the inhumanity and,
the lack of dignity
I had so much sympathy
I was trying not to stare
but I couldn't look away
because I cared
I wanted to set her free
I wanted her to
be
like a butterfly
I just wondered
"Why, Oh-Why?"
And that's when I began to cry