Like a dog that returns to his *****
I continue in my sin
How badly I must want it
Time and time and time again

I hate I'm that way more often than not
Shackled like a runaway slave
I want what I don't, and I'll take the whole lot
Straight down with me into the grave

With little hope I too often go it alone
Desiring that which I lack
Chilled to the bone by a heart that's grown cold
The devil must get a good laugh over that

As I once again eat from the dumpster of sin
Not realizing what it does to my pallet
When every excuse I dare care to use
Is at its worst a word salad

I try and clean myself up then jump back in the mud
At the height of this worthless endeavor
Continuing on, getting it totally wrong
In a world, missing rungs on its ladder

I won't find the cure if not deep in the word
There simply is no doubt about it
This acceptance of sin in its own sour time will do me in
Like a dog that returns to his *****

Who’s out there these days
Not taking something
For mood enhancement
No worries, it’s prescription

Who is counting the ways
People don’t listen
All second guessing
On what they are missing

Who’s too confused to say
What they are thinking
Not good at crowd reading
Believe what they’re seeing

Who always craves
At needing a reason
Prideful chest beating
A man for all seasons

Who’s giving away
Their soul in searching
A lifetime of flirting
To come up with nothing

Seventeen without a clue
With no idea of what to do
You just do what they say to
But what are they really telling you

You have a full life that's ahead
And don't need this to hold you back
It's easy to remove this mess
Never mentioning once, the regret

As you're wheeled into the room
Behind the masks a smile or two
The speakers play an unfamiliar tune
With no one here to comfort you

Who's in control of this life
As you perceive what's wrong and right
You've heard how justice can be blind
Could this be one of those times

You had the truth in front of you
To help you choose what you should do
When in the end you had no clue
And now somehow it bothers you

When poetry grabs ahold of you
It latches on real tight
Takes you to a place of rhythm
On up into rhyme

Maneuvering its many moves
Through the maze inside your mind
Ninety nine percent loose as a goose
With one percent, hold on tight  

Soon enough is when you find out
Imaginations running wild
Like a feral stallion in open field
Or an up too late unruly child

Flashes its ideas up in lights
Like a Broadway night out on the town
Just as easily lifts you up
As quickly as it throws you down

The moment that it grabs you
And holds on for dear life
Poetry is all you think about
Most all of the time

Being a blessing or a curse
Is all in how you read the signs
Along with how far you've crossed
Over poetry's high-wire

Every ocean wave's hello, goodbye
With the coming and going of daily tides
As old men watch the swirling sands
Of time being pulled from out their hands

Every tree that drops their autumn leaves
At the first sign of a combative breeze
Never holds to strong root
Or produce much needed fruit

Every solitary rock that juts mid-stream
Is rounded along the edges deep
By the constant flow that never slows
Helping to soften the soul

Every open sky with a hue of blue
Still displays a cloud or two
Gently there to help remind
Not all is perfect in this life

How many dream to be free
Shackled by the waves and barren trees
Placed before for all to see
Above the clouds and below the streams

Every morning at the crack of dawn
I roll over twice and slam the alarm
I've heard it said, if you snooze you lose
Well, what else can a poor boy do

Rub tight the sleep from out of my eyes
Then don my socks one at a time
Pull out the luggage from under the bed
Then proceed to pack my emotional bags

How or where could I ever go
Without all this baggage I drag in tow
First one out is self-doubt
Far too many times to count

I timidly place it along the side
Easy Peasy for me when I need to find
Criticism goes in next
I like to share when I'm out of my head

It goes well with all my self-doubt
Save some for me, I could use it right now
I try and bury fear deep, yet still within reach
You never know when you'll be afraid to succeed

I could fill my bag to the hilt with guilt
But I've other issues to sadly pack still
I double stack shame with piles of regret
It's not like they both have never met

I also carry along a ragged backpack
For all the past relationships I've ever had
The reasoning is plain to see
It's like a monkey on my back that keeps clawing at me

With my bags now packed I head for the door
To see if I can collect anything more
Though there's not a lot of room that is left
I can cram tight in my emotional bags

No matter where you find you are
Or how far you've gone
God still thinks of you
As His special one

There's not a thing that you
Could ever think to do
That would ever make Him take
His love away from you

With the time that's left
You can refuse His wonderful gift
Yet he'll still give you the chance
Up to your last dying breath

You can flip out, fuss, and fight
Try you best to deny
All that your heart tells you
Although you know it's right

He'll continue to pursue
The sceptic deep inside of you
But when the decision needs be made
He'll leave that up to you

I pray before it is too late
That you learn the truth
Deep inside your heart and mind
How much God loves you

The friends I had that have up and left
Never aged beyond this
Photo hanging on the wall
No, they never do grow old

The thoughts I've kept inside my head
Are the same as on the day they left
I have the photograph to prove it
Without a single wrinkle to it

Haven't heard a word from anyone
So, their voices haven't changed in tone
Still as young as they were then
If you try and picture it

Some have moved while some have died
Without a clue or reason why
As I sit here and stare
With cloudy eyes and thinning hair

At my friends who up and left
That never aged beyond this
Photo hanging on the wall
No, they never do grow old

At least that's what I’ve been told
By this worn-out aging soul...

Believe you me, the time has come
For us to lay our weapons down
Not just for some but everyone
And we need to do it now
This boiling *** of hatred we’re cooking in
Should never be allowed
Without love as the main ingredient
We're bound to burn this place to the ground

We need to do our best to get past this
Come together, hand in hand
Learn to live with our differences
More compassion, less demand
A nation this divided
At worst deserves what they get
Soon enough it'll be hard to hide it
Where we'll all lose out in the end

A people once compassionate
No longer holds its ground
We need to toss love back into the mix
To bring it all back around
Not just for some but everyone
And we need to do it now
Believe you me, the time has come
For us to lay our weapons down

This thing they call adulting
Isn't as easy as it looks
Far more than a three-ring circus
Constantly jumping through fiery hoops

Paying toll at the local freak show
To watch the incredibly aging man
One thing though they don't let on
Is how fast the hourglass runs out of sand

Bombarded by those who step on your toes
When all you want to be, is to be left alone
Take my advice and stay on your side
Hey! You Kids!! Get Off My Lawn!!!

This thing they call adulting
Is a hard way to make a living
Where you're expected to know what to do
At any given minute

And oh, what a thrill this hill of mounting bills
There was nothing like this when I was a kid
I was just along for the ride, biding my time
Not a single worry when I had Mom and Dad

Now with every ache and pain that comes my way
They say welcome to the club
I never had a clue I'd be paying these dues
My best guess is, it's all just part of the rub

Adulting isn't as easy as they make it look...

i find
this mind
most of
the time
i have
inclined
                              meanders
like when a kite
in mid-flight
loses its tail
out right
goes flipping
and flopping
                              for answers
as it skips
to the beat
of its two
left feet
like a bee gees
wanna be
                              disco dancer
can be seen
in the shade
wasting its day
away
with no more
to say
                              mindless banter
taking up
a thought
then shaking
it off
pouring it out of
the box
                              like it matters
what does it hope
to find
bubbling up in
my mind
while it most of
the time
                              meanders

I don't think I like what I see on T.V.
The daily drivel bombarding me
Purposely designed to forever keep
The masses on the edges of their seats

One catastrophe leads another
Brothers in battle against each other
Continually tightening the lid to not blow their cover
Throwing the baby out, with the bath water

This constant spin is doing me in
Burning both ends of the candle
Remove all the dents and begin again
Could we possibly change the channel

All the things I see on my T.V.
Guaranteed to bring me to my knees
Can you explain to me how we think we are free
With everything my T.V. is telling

Raising fists in fits of anger
All of this looks so familiar
A few know the truth but really don't care
With that attitude you'll get us nowhere

I hear them say those were the good old days
Past generations would call us numbskulls
With brains half-baked during the commercial break
Could we possibly change the channel

My ultimate goal is to change the channel...

The Sun asked the Moon
Out on a date
She quickly agreed
Without the slightest hesitate
When it comes to love
You know what they say
How blind it is
Both night and day

They tried their best
To find the time
What little they had
Would never align
She goes to bed late
He's early to rise
He's best in the day
While she likes the night

From the other side of the world
The Sun shines on her
Keeping her warm
In the chilly night air
They may never date
Though they both still care
Forever written in the stars
This gone wrong affair

I tell you what
Here's the thing
Could someone else please
Throw their hat in the ring

Who will proudly stand up
For the country they serve
Not be the disease
But the much-needed cure

Where if there's any problems
That come up per say
Will grow a backbone
And take them on face to face

Who will take random questions
From out in the crowd
Give short simple answers
And not hee haw around

Get us all back
Into holding hands
Could there be such a man
Anywhere in this land

Someone who'll say
And do what is right
Is there anyone anywhere
We could ever hope to find

That will do their very best
To slim the government
Watch the money grab
And how it is spent

A person who's willing to
Be up front with us
Supply our basic needs
Treat all of us just

A special someone
To take over the lead
In this home of the brave
Land of the free
We're begging you please,
To throw your hat in the ring

I've got an idea
Let's do ourselves in
With the spreading of lies
Dealing in sin

We'll continue this way
Till there's nothing left
Right up to the day
Of our untimely death

If truth be known
When left on our own
We don't know well enough
To leave things alone

We feed on desires
Of selfishness
Heathens and liars
A general mess

Think that we know
Better by far
Than God on His throne
Who holds all the cards

So, what do you say
In the way we act, as of late
Should we do ourselves in
And give our souls away

The most important job in this world
Is not that of president
Nor the latest billionaire
Whom all seem to be a tad bit bent

It's not in being a doctor
Or a neuroscientist
Not the king or queen of a foreign country
If I were to make a list

It's not someone who happens upon
The greatest discovery
Or the person who, tried and true
Goes down in history

Not a star out making movies
Who recite their rehearsed lines
Out of all the ones you're thinking
You'd be hard pressed to find

A more important job in this world
That far outweighs all others
Is the one that we should all applaud
That of being a mother

I’m just a clown
When it comes to the rhyme
Fooling around
Outside of the lines
The crunching of crayons
Flipping of dimes
In deep conversation
With dozens of mimes

Muddied in mayhem
Past the mundane
With the frequent du jour
Over easy, half baked
Shooting for early
I settle on late
Paying my dues
In crazy ways

Setting to rhyme
Whatever poops in my mind
Now there’s a freudian slip
At the perfect time
It’s no secret kept
Should have said pop instead
But I’ve run short on words
And that’s all I have left

We have had this hunger
From the very start of time
Feeding on the power
Wanting that which isn't mine

Taking what's in front of us
Whether it is ours or not
Adding to ill-gotten gain
Adding to the rot

To be the ones to be in charge
Of our own destiny
Finding if we play our cards
We'll bring the world to its knees

It's not about the worship
Though that's always a plus
Our best behavior in this courtship
To not let on just how corrupt

This struggle for the power
In the wanting of it all
Can turn a good man sour
Can bring about the fall

Which started at the start of time
A burning deep inside
This hunger for the power
In wanting that, which isn't mine

Whether born into riches
Or poverty
We're all much the same
To some degree
Whatever you have
Or whatever you need
Is left behind
When it's your time to leave

Everyone here
Holds out on the hope
That it'll be years
Before your turn to go
Say what you will
You never will know
Healthy or ill
When the Reaper shows

It could take a lifetime
Or the blink of an eye
Do what you can
You're still going to die
Could be in your sleep
Or a nice Sunday drive
Sooner or later
We'll leap the great divide

They say easy come
They say easy go
Could be taken out fast
Or in slow mo
Leaving a trail of tears
That highlights the lows
One thing is clear, we'll no longer be here
When the Reaper shows

In order to save some money
Which in hindsight wasn't smart
Me and my buddies got together
To make our own fireworks

And as luck would have it
We found all we need under the kitchen sink
The whole time looking to do this cheap
Instead we came out free

Knowing this day would draw a crowd
As soon as the rumor mill filled up
So in our vast wisdom with a few cells missing
We mixed the batch up in Jimmy's tub

Not being exact on science
As illustrated in that magazine
We felt no need to measure
And might have gone a bit extreme

As soon as the stuff started bubbling up
That thought did cross our minds
Remember at the start, saying it wasn't smart
And that little mention of hindsight

With the size of the flash, little wonder we're not ash
And still have all our fingers and toes
It's hard to explain the size of the bang
And why now Jimmy's house is one big hole

But we did put on a show not soon forgotten
That could be seen from outer space
And where Jimmy's house used to be
There's now a community pool in it's place

So come and join us on this holiday
Burgers, beer, and of course fireworks
In fact we're heading to Davy's house now
To mix a few things up...

The closer we get to the end of this
And it's time to cast our votes
Do we click the box on the latest crook
Or the one who knows not where he goes

This dilemma of decisions
We're being forced to make
These crazy times in which we're living
Sad to say is just another day

We've gotten so used to them skirting the truth
It's hard to recognize a lie
When you're one of these two what else can you do
If their lips are moving, that's a pretty good sign

Both promise the best is what's ahead
While looking like a donkey's behind
Do they not see the hand that feeds
Believe you me, is ready to bite

Since we've lost all hope in this clown show
We might crayon in another,
name that we know besides these Bozo's
Then run for cover, in mad hope that it's over

The closer we get to the end of this
Remember to cast your vote
We all have a voice but is this really our choice?!
How low can you go, soon enough we'll all know

******* on a hunk of helium
Every time I'm up to speak
So, every word that comes out my mouth
Is nothing but a high-pitched scream

Morning, night, and noon
I carry an array of colorful floating ballons
To help me breath as deep as I need
When talking to the likes of you

Bringing me to a higher frequency
Of what doesn't make much sense to me
Helium filled bounds and leaps
Dealing with those with special needs

******* gobs and gobs of helium
Like it's going out of style
Laughing my way through the end of days
In and out of oblivious crowds

How did I get to this point where I live
With a voice that is this high pitched
Why, by adding helium
Into my daily mix,
of insanity the likes of this

What's your excuse
For the things that you do
Do you take and blame others
Is that the path that you choose

Or your environment
Where your life is spent
The side of town that you live on
Is that where you get

All the many lies
As to the reason why
That you go and tell yourself
As you try and deny

Do you blame it on race
The one you're in, the one you face
When you find yourself steeped deep
In the excuses you make

What do you say
About the way you behave
Ten out of ten
Where you tend to place blame

Have you ever thought it through
That the problem might be you
Why you do the things you do
Could that be your excuse?

I sometimes wonder life out loud
How in the world will this work out
The hectic turns it seems to take
The never learn from past mistakes

Showing up and showing out
Far too many times to count
In this I know I’m not alone
Confused at times to where I’m going

Yet things seem to work out right
On this fact you can bet it life
There is no need to be afraid
God works in mysterious ways

I more often take the winding path
Instead of the one straight ahead
Although it takes me twice as long
God gets me to where I’m going

I move in ways I think are right
Later on is when I find
Things that I try on my own
More often than not turn out wrong

It’s not long before I find out
Life itself turns back around
What more can one sinner say
But that God works in mysterious ways

You can bring up love
Talk about hate
Things that you save
Those you give away
With the little progress
That you have made
As you watch it all
Go down the waiting drain

You can read along
Knowing you are not alone
When robbing Peter
Trying to pay Paul
Having the right
Of course, to be wrong
You can bring about all this and more
On the inside of a poem

You can hum a tune
As your hands collect
Count the things that do
And those that do not last
Talk of remembered times
That really weren't that bad
Move in the direction of
What may lay ahead

You can tell the truth
Of what is going on
Or greatly misconstrue
The entire point
Rhyme wherever
You find that your mind roams
Bring about all of this and more
On the inside of a poem

Behind these bars in Raiford
Is not where I want to be
Going through this with most of my friends
While missing my family

Ask anyone, from day one
I've had a problem with the law
I struggle in the direction of
Trying to follow along

More years here I've found than I care to count
These notches on the wall, interwoven
Leaving little doubt that it spells out
A hard life passed down unspoken

I've about given up pleading I'm innocent
Placing on others the blame
Like everyone in this joint I've met
Saying pretty much the same

Dealing with my dealings in Raiford
With the taking of another man's life
My one-way ticket to this losing attitude
Until the day I die

let's see how high
i can count
before i decide
to turn my life around

if i don't change
the things i do
there won't be a thing
to do things to

i really need
to shine a light
on all i have
that resides inside

that keeps me here
right where i sit
preventing me
from getting ahead

not privy to
what's going on
to tell the truth
not sure i want

to hear how i
can bring about
the needed change
to get me out

of this hole
of self-defeat
i'm digging deep
in misery

which brings me back
to just how high
can i count
before i find

i need to turn
it all around
this life i have
of up-side down

We are the people
They warned us about
Taking to extreme excess
All that we’re allowed

So easily bored with
What they toss our way
Looking for the next big thing
In our means of escape

We are the people
They warned us about
Living  topsy-turvy
In a world that’s upside down

Clearly out of control
On this spinning wheel
Out here selling off our souls
Feeling that it’s no big deal

We are the people
They warned us about
Take a look around
If you have any doubt

Better yet grab a mirror
If you’re afraid to go outside
We are the people
There’s no way to deny

we all desire something more
more than what is in store
some more than they can afford
what's behind the other door

some are happy with what they have
others want much more than that
not yet ready to accept
the life that's landed in their lap

who's not looking out for love
of which there never is enough
with the beating of the drum
more of that and then some

more pleasure in the prize
more than just this one time
finding out you were right
more to this so-called life

more of what they think they can
more of what they wish they had
more than they are left with
what more can be said

Strike a match
to the gas
on everything we do and say

Ignore the lack
of the facts
they just get in the way

Don’t be surprised
when you’re lying eyes
see things differently

As we pull the wool
over you
in what you should believe

If we told you
the entire truth
on todays shake ‘n bake

The living proof
would haunt you
until your dying day

As we strike a match
to the gas
on everything we do and say

Ignore the lack
of the facts
they just get in the way

I hold tight, my reasons why
And use them as I choose
With all my might in broad daylight
Explaining them to the likes of you

Hardly makes sense to the layman
But don't worry, there's no need to fret
The reason why is why I have
Reasons why to begin with

I hold them close for comfort
To help explain decisions made
Shining a light on the reason why
I often say the things I say

If you too need a reason
I've plenty to go around
Some of them don't make much sense
And on that batch, I've long lost count

If I need to find a reason why
I open my mind and just let loose
I might pull several at one time
To help explain them to the likes of you

We have something in common
Or so I am told
All of us are human
With a long way to go

Although we all may look it
We certainly don’t act that way
Being selfish individuals
Until our dying day

We eat, sleep, and breath
All about me
Like they do at the zoo
Strong willed animal instinct

I have to ask what is human
In the way we act
As we pour towards humanity
Proper utensils are what we lack

This one thing we have in common
This so called commonality
Is that we all are human
As far as I can see

…still it’s hard to believe

Can you for once
Focus on my wants
Not my needs
Or my faults

Put the time
Towards listening
Sit back, relax
Not say a thing

All I really
Need is a friend
Above all else
Just listening

As I hang my feelings
Out to dry
To gently nod
Along in silence

Someone to focus
On my wants
Not all my needs
Or my many faults

Share if you like
Peace in our time
Before it's too late
Eradicate hate
Show off more love
Before time is up
No reason to fight
We need peace in our time

It's all coming apart
With these endless wars
Which don't do a thing
But give the rich more money
Pit us against ourselves
Tell us they're here to help
With a fresh change of mind
We need peace in our time

We need to turn in our swords
And other weapons of war
Judge from the heart
Who our enemies are
Count off this day
As a day of change
Share if you like
Peace in our time

I will not lie
To tell the truth
There's not a condiment
That I won't use
To dip my chips
Or smother fries
Mayonnaise
Ketchup on the side

With the versatility
Of ranch dressing
Pay close attention
To this lesson
Add siracha please
For a spicy quest
Heavy handed
With the squeeze no less

And when it comes
To sandwich dip
Thousand Island
Makes for the perfect trip
Taking you straight to
Paradise
There's not a condiment
That I don't like

Mustard never
Is at a loss
When complimenting
The Hot Dog
On a stick
Or in a bun
Apply it as
Thick as you want

When it comes
To anything
Deep red meat
Or leafy green
I will not lie
To tell the truth
There's not a condiment
That I won't use

Who do you bow down to
When you're out n' about worshiping
Do you go to your cell phone
Or the throne of your T.V.

Do you idolize the car you drive
The faster that it goes
Or place yourself high on the shelf
When you are home alone

Is your gratitude placed on food
To get you through troubled times
Could it be the devil's drink
That makes everything alright

Who is your god that gives the nod
You spend your spare time with
If you had to go, it on your own
Would you feel you couldn't live

I can tell you, who you bow down to
While here, your heart still beats
Makes a difference in this life and
For all eternity

you know what i find
most of the time
in my dealings
when dealing with time

however many hoops
that you jump through
in it's pursuit
keeps coming for you

leaving its mark
in cased face to face
so, there's no denying
what's taking place

time will tell
time will lie
just when you need a minute
it finds the time to hide

time clearly has
it out for us
sneaks around full circle
ashes to ashes, dust to dust

time will leap
time will lunge
this, that, and the other
plus all of the above

why are we
unsatisfied
in all that we do
in most that we try
when it comes to
living this life
we never seem to
be satisfied

whether new to the scene
or been here a few
so easily bored
with all we go through
if you've yet to guess
and haven't a clue
we're unsatisfied
to tell the truth

with what we have to show
we're unsatisfied
in what's going on
the facts do not lie
hold out little hope
that we'll ever find
inside of this life
that we'll ever be satisfied

I see the wrong
That's going on
In today's society

Which makes me say
The way they behave
Is so hard to believe

Not once do I
Turn aside
And criticize myself

With blinders on
I hum along
Like everybody else

If you ask me
It's easier to see
Someone else needs help
In the way we're dealt
Than to see yourself

Fingers out of joint
I tend to point
At the debauchery

With no idea
It's me I kid
As they're the same as me

With a show of hands
How many can
Say they do the same

We'll fool ourselves
Straight to hell
If we don't stop this game

God, I don't understand is why I'm questioning
The where, why, what, and when
It comes to it, this world is a mess
Where do I begin

I wonder why we're always at war
With you being the Prince of Peace
My best guess is we're not listening
Otherwise, we wouldn't have so many needs

And what about the poor around the world
With no roof over their heads
Of course I have a house, but that's not what I'm talking about
I'd rather question you instead

Oh, and where do I begin on the hungry children
Starving in the streets
Can't something be done to feed everyone
Look at me, I have plenty to eat

And why do we have so much senselessness
With brother against his own brother
I feel we're all slaves to this world of hate
Why is it so hard to love one another

I guess it all began when we gave into sin
And let it control our lives
Yet here I am the sinful man that I am
Questioning God as to the reason why

If you were to ask me
I'd say we're a society
That is in desperate need
Of sheep counting

Part of the walking dead
We lay our weary heads
Yet stay awake instead
Worries mounting

And when we do finally
Drift off into much needed sleep
Awakened by the scream
Of the ALARM CLOCK TAUNTING

Dragging us up from the deep
Back into harsh reality
Jumping in with both feet
Sleepwalking

As we make our way
Through another dreary day
Zombies on display
In constant shuffle

Mostly unaware
How we all got here
Not a one of us that's clear
In mid-mumble

Who do we think we're kidding
In doing the Sandmans bidding
Is this any way to make a living
It's all so daunting

And yet we carry on
As if there's nothing wrong
Just shuffling along
Sleepwalking

I can clearly see across Tennessee
By the Grace of God, I do believe
Being witness to his masterpiece

As he finger paints the bluest sky
Blends it in with the trees just right
Then on my heart is where he signs

Adds his perfection to the sunset
Orange and yellow with splashes of red
Leaving nature quite breathless

Pastel clouds pouring silver rain
With just enough touch of gray
So, every day's display is not the same

The master artist hard at work
Paints the landscape with just one stroke
Adding highlights and shadows as he goes

By the Grace of God, I do believe
I'm witness to his masterpiece
As I clearly see across the beauty of Tennessee

I don’t know what you’re saying
No idea of what you mean
This goes beyond this simpletons
Degree of Poetry

What I need you see is a rhyme
Like Mary’s Little Lamb
One I find in my own time
Will easily be grasped

Using simple words
With no need to look them up
Toss in the till, one syllable
And then wish it good luck

I don’t need my poetry
To dig itself too deep
Skimming along the surface
Is plenty fine by me

My hope is that this explains
Why I write the way I do
Just keep it simple stupid
If you must know the truth

Ripley's Believe It Or Not has got nothing on us
Take a gander at the world outside
Just when you think it can't get any stranger than this
The Crazy Train arrives

With the bleepity bleeps out on the streets
Protesting the latest niche
They just follow along, lemmings in throng
Right off the edge of the cliff

And with the two old men running again
Wait a minute, haven't we been here before
What's even crazier than that, is the simple fact
We believe all we're being told

We have people that say they're He/She, Them/They
When asked who they think they are
And then get mad when we don't call them that
If you ask me, they were mad from the start

Then there's the money we spend not even trying to win
The latest in this long line of wars
As they continue to hide, the fact they're supplying both sides
And yet they still ask us for more

You can try and stick lipstick on this pig
Still, there's no way to deny
We've lost the bag of marbles we had
That at this point we'll never find

I could go on and on so let's just call this part one
Before I put the Rocky franchise to shame
As the rails daily laid may go beyond number  8
When it comes to sequels on this crazy train

All of my good friends
Are long dead and gone
Got me out here drinking
By myself alone

I still tell my stories
But even I’m not listening
Sorrow in all its glory
Is the main thing that old age brings

All of my good friends
I’ve helped bury along the way
With me, the last man standing
Over each and every grave

Until then I’ll hug this barstool
My lonely home away from home
Life can be based in cruelty
When lost out on the road to hope

Now all I see in front of me
Is the emptiness that I now know
Of nothing going on
With all my good friends dead and gone

Be it right
Or be it wrong
Make it up
As you go along
What’s good for the goose
The gander might say
Only the truth
Stands in the way
Duplicity

Move to the tune
Of dealing in doubt
Double the trouble
If you care to count
Would I lie to you
Stated simply
Will come back to take you
Off at the knees
Duplicity

If you need to have
This to get ahead
Character building
Has yet to be met
Once you start in
It’s hard to break free
All liars lie
And pile on the heap
Duplicity

Two brothers, Wants and Needs
Both from the same family
Where what some would give away
Others would too often keep

Wasn't that much of a crutch
Or a giant leap
When Wants wants what he wants
Needs looks out for more relief

With Needs needs often met
The other side came to light
That Wants would too often fret
Never was he satisfied

Causing both the brothers
At certain times to fight
Over the needs and wants
That they have in life

While both Wants and Needs
Have a strong desire
To ultimately be set free
One's goal is much higher

If like Wants you're ruled by your wants
You become a slave
But like Needs take what you need
Then give the rest away

In your hole
Not sure you know
Just how far
This poison goes
Or how deep
Your Shoveling
Is digging up
Toxicity

Volatile
Contagious
It's affecting
All of us
What is the point
Continuing
This staining rot
Toxicity

There is no doubt
It covers ground
Eats at the soul
Of those it's found
What you toss
You also reap
At a cost
Toxicity

I went to see a Magician
He asked me why I came
I told him that I need a disappearing act
And could he help out a hapless man

With a snap of the fingers
Or a wave of the wand
Roll up his sleeves to revel nothing
Then all of the sudden, ****!... I'm gone

Running from a woman
That and the IRS
Not really sure, which scares me more
Not placing my bets on that craziness

I see no other options
Either that or sawed in half
When there's two of me, they can each
Have what little there is left

Or maybe lock me up in a three-lock box
Toss me in the ocean deep
Either way would be okay
If that's the last they see of me

So please Mr. Magician
Can I make myself any clearer
I'll take what I can of your Abracadab
If you'll just help me disappear from here