Red heels in a white dress
She is a sail full of wind
Propelling us to the Cape of Good Hope
So much within my heart
I’m taking the chance
A vision she is
Of ecstasy
This is nirvana
I am in

That someone is so lovely
Staggers me
That she can love me
I cannot believe
But luck has met opportunity
I’ll take the bet
I’ll be at my best
You ain’t seen nothing yet
Wait and see

The prisoner of love
Marches in the rain
Melody is so far away
Insane is his pain
He’s been abandoned
Separated by fate
If they could only reunite
Wouldn’t that be great?

But it’s not gonna happen
No how, no way
His train left the station
The boat sailed away
Tim is down in the dumps
As blue fades to gray

This is how it must go
She for sure is gone
But their love still burns
It heats up their nights
Despite the twists and turns
They will dote on sweet memories
Yes, and longing desire
An invisible flame forever bright
For a love that has taken flight

The stun-gun you are arrested me at dawn
I stopped in my tracks at your radiant liveliness
Inviting me to play
Isn't it great when an unexpected chance encounter
Hitchhikes into your life?
A dream you didn't know you had comes true
We were both at the beach that overcast morn
Strangers gazing at the sea
Watching the white birds walk on the wet sand
You with that smile, playful and inviting
And that white sweater stolen from Marilyn Monroe's memory
I had no choice in this unplanned meet
Sometimes you just know
It was coffee and tea and welcome sympathy
As we were getting to know that maybe
Really maybe ... this could wind up a long show
Here we are now, back where we met
So many years have passed by
Still a good fit, we stop to sit
Share a kiss of fire
Remembering when, remembering how
A chance encounter led to a vow.

I'm dropping Julia off
I tell myself I'm OK
She's off to college
My little is not so anymore
It's time for her to go on

I say, "I love you sweet baby,"
We both shed a tear
I rebel at the the thought
She will now disappear

The teddy bear and dolls are gone
And carrying her on my shoulder
This is life, I understand
Children must get older

It’s emotion, my business
I sing songs
Mostly about love
My job is to move the audience
To smiles or a tear
Make people snuggle up
Hold hands, disappear
Into a state of kindness and grace
I try to bring joy to each happy face

What about me?
Well, I’m just like you
I’m a fan of many
Those who croon
Who give life meaning
Who nurture the soul
When I need to dig deep
It’s where I go

So when I hear a special song
I smile and sigh, and find in my eyes
Condensation, a misty memory
That takes me back and aback
At the feeling that comes over me
When music entertains the heart
And yet again, emotion conquers me

Tender, oh so tender
How you are to me
Tender, so tender
So good, so dear, so sweet

Happy we go lucky
Solid, how we stay
Together and forever
Through dark and sunny days

These are times of peace and glory
Thankfulness and praise
Of understanding
Forgiveness and grace
And through it all are you and me
Two for the road of life
Feathers in a breeze

She does life on her terms
She figured it out
So independent
Moving about
Seeing the world
Friends everywhere
She’s got it together
Though no lover to share
She doesn’t worry
She does fine alone
It will all work out
As she does roam

Love is easy
Relationships aren’t
So Kathy said to Jim
They split up after a couple of years of marriage
Money problems
Youth
Tough upbringings
They stayed apart for dozens of years
No contact
A couple of marriages in the interim for each of them
After the last divorce Kathy went online
Examining her life
Trying to figure things out
Looking to find peace
A few emails later they met in a cafe
Both let down their guard
Neither expected to rekindle their romance
But that’s what happened
The magic was back
Their kids were astonished
It all turned out fine
Love heals they learned
It’s all about respect
Eleven years later
Their love still grows

It all came together when we got together
You are my morning sun
A breath of fresh air
That gets me prepared
To face each newborn day
Such a smoothie you are
Such a pretty face
Oh, the bonhomie
As we rise with delight
It will all be all right
As it already has and forever will be

Beyond the heart and into the soul
You run with me
Are we in love?
Yes, it's out of control
Pleasing as can be
I've fully accepted
That you intercepted
Me from falling apart
From your tasty treats
To everything in between
You make me complete
And that's just the start

So, in conclusion
Thanks for the fusion
We go on with such energy
For it all came together when we got together
As everyone can see

Making do with memories
The love of her and him
Close to perfect
The summer wind
Has come and gone
Leaving the remains of love
And many can’t explains

They were picture perfect
A luscious melody
A song that he still sings
Without her harmony

There stands the garden
The place of their last kiss
He stands there for a moment
As his eyes do mist

The good times are here
Just like yesterday
Good times, all the time
On display
For we got each other
And it's time to play
You're so delicious
Amazingly cool
With that that cute personality
I just drool
As I fall into your arms
I'm feeling lucky
You are the charm

May I have this dance with you?
How about a hundred thousand more?
What would you think about taking a trip
Into forever, never to quit?

How did I survive without you before?
Such a wretch I was, never to score
Until there was you, until there was us
The good times are here, A-plus

It’s the real thing
I fell in love with her differences
But we like the same thing
Like walks in the park
Hearing birds that sing

This is a love that will never grow old
Want to know why?
Fate collided with destiny
Creating this fire inside

It’s what she left behind
Items that carry memories
Of the time we both shared the same dream
They are more than objects
Symbols of a love vanquished but not vanished
In hearts faraway now from each other
But forever united:
A pen she gave me
Precious beyond words
Photographs of her and me at the Lovers Bridge
The scarf she left
The ring that she refused
Stories they carry
Stories we share
Our storied love
No longer there
Love that lives in the past
That’s the anomaly
I wouldn't trade it for anything
Just savor what used to be

My city is in ruins
Flames have taken it down
But that doesn’t mean we are over and out
We shall come together
With determination
In unity
For we are survivors
Bound to succeed
Love and friendship are the foundation
It will take time
As we overcome frustration
But we’ve got each other
We’ll make it right
Someday we’ll look back at this
Give thanks we made it through
By hard work will come bliss
We’ll do it together
It will be all right
Hope and courage are here
It’s worth the fight

They were the best of times
What we had back then
Languid nights of exploration
Getting to know the other
We became the best of friends

I was in my prime, in the zone
We both really tried, our hearts found a home
It was love for real, really good
And now it's really gone

The memories will never go away
They're stranded on some island in the ether
Leaving me to say that I still love you
Feelings never to go away
Not those best of times, no way

I would not trade our past for anything
Yes, I really miss you, and the memories bring
A kind of solace, along with a touch of sadness
When I recollect and reminisce
That I used to be your king

They were the best of times
They really, truly were

Sheer, pure, elegance
This is you
So beautiful your essence
So cool
So much a part of me
Of life
I am renewed by just the thought of you
Incomparable you are
Yes, you, you, you, you, you

That easy laugh
The repartee
The knowing look
The smile
The ease with which you do it all
The breadth of your intelligence
Oh my
God must have rested after creating you
Recognizing, if not congratulating himself, on your amazing style

Here's to you in all your glory
Here's the thanks from me
For being in my life
For our past and future history

Things weren’t going well
They fought too much
Tony decided to move out
Couldn't take another punch
So he got into the Camaro
Then he headed east
Back to Memphis, where he grew up
To Beale Street
All the while he drove
Racing through his mind
Was the question of what he was doing
Was it all about his pride?
Molly wanted commitment
You can’t blame her for that
No more playing house, she said
“Where are we at?,” she had demanded
Tony had misgivings
She was the best that ever happened to him, he recognized
As his life’s truest fact
Another hundred miles he drove
Finally, he turned back
She was his home
Where he had to be
They would make it together
It was their destiny
She opened the door with surprise
Imagine her two bright eyes
Then came this, he spoke
“Every mile I drove was in the wrong direction.
I now realize what we have is golden
What we have is love
What you want, you now have got.”
Then they both cried

That was many years ago
They now own their home
Donna and Jimmy are their kids
How their love has grown
No more wrong direction
Never since that day
As evidenced by the doormat
Which to all they say,
“Welcome to our happy family.”
Indeed they are
In this true story
It turned out that way

Yes, 1 million times yes
Yes and maybe some more
How many times can I say I love you?
I cannot keep score
I’m a veteran of romance
Been down too many roads
Dead ends and wrong turns
And lonely weekends
Lovers but no love
Affection with some
Until you came along
Over with and done
So Senorita, come this way please
I’m pledging my love
I am weak in the knees
You’re coming with me
Wherever I go
It’s gonna be good
Trust me, I know

The plane is landing
What new adventures await
Let’s explore this city
Let’s stay up late
Let’s kiss in public
To let everyone know
We’re a couple of lovers
Who can’t say no
To a good time
With intimacy
We’re on our way
My baby and me

If only you
Could see me today
You’d be impressed
Maybe even say you were wrong
There should have been a way
For us to be together
Just like the good old days

I wish I could call you
But that’s not practical
You’ve got a life with a family
It’s been too many years
But I know you would be proud to see
That I turned out OK
So I sent my best silently
By these words you’ll never hear
You may be far-away
But in my heart you are near

We don’t always need to be talking to enjoy each other’s company
We enjoy the little moments when they happen
When I reach for her hand, it’s always there
We have a wanderlust together
A mutual respect that is unique
Always in love we are
Every kiss is important
We send a message each time we do
It’s the date that lasts forever
And she’s all and truly mine

I’m a little person
Not even five
What is going on?
Where’s my Mom?
Why am I in this cage
Like some dog?
Everyone is crying
This is a mistake
I’m being punished
What is my wrong?
Who will help me?
How long must I lie here
With nothing to do?
Who will help me tie my shoes?
And where is my sister?
She’s only three
I’m scared and I’m lonely
Mister, help me
You’re not allowed to pick me up
What’s that about?
Don’t you see
We’re all in this together
In the land of the free
And the home of the brave
Brave, I try to be
After the criminals in Guatemala murdered my father
That’s my family
Somebody help my sister and me
I need my mother
My mother needs me

We turned off our dating apps at the same time
We both knew
We were in this together
Going forward
It took one dinner
Followed by drinks
Then a kiss
Here we are today
Oh yeah, it all worked out
Enough to say
Wishes come true
And dating apps work
Here we are today
Exhibit A

Bronco is adrift in the city
But walks a straight line
Some slicker said he liked his costume
Bronco doesn’t mind
He got it that no one wears spurs in Durango
That’s just fine
He’s moving along with the times

He’s in town to find a wife
They met on the Internet
Emily teaches the second grade
Hasn’t met her dude yet
She grew up on a farm
Where there isn’t much shade
Attractive she is, prim and petite
They are each out to find that someone to meet

Arriving is Bronco with no swagger there
He takes his hat off, brushes his hair
Rings the doorbell, he could swear
He’s never seen anyone prettier before
She invites him in, he sits in the easy chair
The dinner she’s made is succulent and sweet
Magic is in the air, “Ain’t life a treat,”
Bronco says to himself and almost clicks his heels
He’ll be back next week, will soon seal the deal

Tough never quits
Love never dies
All wounds heal
Realize
You just gotta have hope
Just keep it real
Don’t lie to yourself
Think and feel
Always stay strong
Life is for living
C’mon, C’mon

Live for love
Be kind to all
Keep your head up
Reach for the sky
Be a good friend
You know why
Be at your best
Believe in yourself
In a quest for excellence
Take time to rest

Smell the roses
Find a mate
Be an optimist
You are great
Live for love
To all relate

She was the first one to love me
I'll never forget
Days of wonder
Nights of zest
Happy times
Smiles galore
I loved her so much
Her, I still adore
Now we are older
Over and gone from each other
Still, we go on
Remembering the measure
Of the great pleasure
To be in the other's arms

And so it is on the Saturday morn
I think of us when we were cozy and warm
The world at our feet
We had it all back then
Life was so sweet
She now lives in a happy home
It turned out fine for my dear one
I can say the same for me
As we both roam through life
Giving thanks for each day
And the love we still share
Ne'er to drift away

We sure had some fun the past few days
Fun with each other, keeping apace
With the setting, warm sunny rays
Arms wrapped around each other
Dazed at the wonder, the beauty,
The mystery of love
Amazed that our romance is still going strong

We’re happy being happy,
That’s what life’s about
Happy just being about
Taking it in, giving it back
In it to win it
No way to slack
Just a good time
Just kicking back

It only gets better
Like a good old song
The verse gets you going
Then comes a chorus so strong
You can’t help yourself
You must sing along

From a bachelor in paradise
Once so lonely inside
I’ve graduated to
A life with pure love
One I can’t hide
Daily renewed
That’s why I smile
Here’s to my lady
Who makes it all worthwhile

We share sweet memories of the good times
When we were young
And free
Full of brio and confidence
Daring and delighted to be alive
Memories of love and laughter
Of our belief in each other
Of being close and trusting and hopeful
But we broke up leaving these memories
Such treasures that bring warmth and joy
They are ours alone to share forever

I’ve had good fortune, lovers, and certainly bad luck
I’ve lived a full life and really shouldn’t complain about mistakes I shouldn’t have made
I’m trying to forgive myself, but some stains ever stay
I’m flawed, but not broken
Facing the end of my days
How much longer will I be here?
Am I accomplishing enough?
So much to be proud of
Still, there is shame and disappointment
I shall go on just as life goes on
Trying to be better every day
Doing my best to love
To keep my dear wife happy
It’s enough to make a man pray

You can die of hope
Or pain
Or lies
Or determination
Or desperation
In this town
Your chosen profession
Will teach you a lesson
Can let you down
And not so gently
Grit your teeth
It's a long and bumpy road
Some will make it
Some won't
Still, you gotta do it
Live that dream
Before it kills you
But you have to try
Showbiz
Where it's do or die

I write obituaries for a living and this is my life  
I write about the ordinary who lived extraordinary lives
Who were special
Who survive in our memories
I explain to the masses
The differences they made
Life is funny that way
We get a service where anywhere from a few to hundreds attend
Is that it?
Maybe there is an obituary
That’s where I come in
There’s a story in every person
In every life
It goes by so fast
I sometimes wonder who will write mine

There's a someone for everyone
At least, there oughta be
You can't go through life individually
It's a contact sport where the play is for keeps
It's open to all, the way it must be

Love is random, where do you start?
Without rules, you just do your part
You know it when you feel it, you'll hear the call
An inevitable pull, time to give it your all

A blessing it is, a curse for no one
The essence of life, time the only enemy
Until you arrive in the rainbow
You won't want to leave

She saves me every day
With her quick smile and knowing looks
I don’t have to say what a difference she’s made
Take one look at me
I’m not the same old guy I used to be
Now there’s a spring in my step
An attitude that flies
I can do anything
Actually, I mean “we”
For she’s got it going
I’m in overdrive
Before I met her
How did I survive?

This old guy is young again
It sure means a lot
I used to just waste time on stupid things
Buddy I was lost
Consider now my happiness
That’s what it is all about
I just give her all I got
In return I get the shout out of love
And coziness
That loving touch
Kisses throughout the day
She keeps a good house
With delectable dishes to savor at each meal
Yes, she keeps it all very, very real

So give me a high-five
Maybe also a wink
We’re rolling down the river of life
Always on the brink of laughter
So rarely do we fight
I always let her win anyway
No need to be uptight
She saves me everyday
I love my wife
I owe it all to her
This wonderful life

I remember when and how you ****** me over
It was a long time ago
I’m still seething
Won’t let it go
Wish I could exact revenge
The Monte Cristo way
But I guess I’ll just do it in my mind
And in my own way
I know that I’ve done better than you in many ways
You’re fat now
Karma, some might say
Then there’s that so many consider you a boor
As to you, I’ve shut the door

Still, there you were and there was me
I was polite
I even shook your hand that suffers from carpal tunnel malady
But there was nothing else to say
What you did was long ago
What would I have gotten out of lambasting you?
Anyway, I keep inside the pain you caused me then
That I do not to anyone show

I don’t wish you well
Let’s leave it at that
You got me good a long while back
Still angry am I, but it’s under my hat

It’s a hot summer love
Three dates it took until the kiss
Meet Rachel and Dov
The secret for them: create some mystery
At the end of a long day, she’s his bourbon
The *** is good, they keep it fun
There’s a lot of laughs
He makes her feel beautiful during down times
It’s passion and push towards the other
When she blinks her lashes at him at night
That always gets him.

This is a city with secrets
Surely it knows I'm in love
With one if it's residents
Who is playing hard to get
I can't get enough of her
I want her yes I do
It's just a matter of time
And time can be so cruel

I wander its cobblestones
Thinking what to do
Step by step I plan my moves
I try to play it cool
But this city knows I'm in love
And that I'm no fool
For she's the one
The only one
As I wander through
Its nooks and crannies
Under a jaunty sky of blue

I know I'd be good for her
She's perfection to me
We could live so happily
In this city of secrets
I have got to win her
I know she'll understand
She is my future
I am her man

John wrote love stories as a writer in a particularly singular voice given that he was particularly single and didn’t want to be
He’s always written great loves for his characters, but there wasn’t one in his life
Kimberlee owned a literary website about romance and picked up one of his books
To her delight, she liked the groove of this romance novel so she friended him on social media
John began to follow her and eventually asked her to read his latest manuscript
Hmmm, the female lead was strikingly similar to Kimberlee
As you know, one thing leads to another and inevitably they met
It took a while, a pandemic intervened
Came the day at the Mexican restaurant where they had first met when a ring was placed on the table
And two hearts did sing

Time is the thief that stole you away
It’s times like this I reminisce about those days
So tender, so lovely, so fun in so many ways
But time now holds those memories
You’re forever gone to stay
Forever in my heart you shall remain
The all in my always

I return to you now and then
The thought of us, so happy when
We shared our time
There was hope for our love
How it did shine

Now time is the enemy
Each day takes you farther away from me
It goes on, inexorably
But if this is all that is left
I’ll take what I’ve got
For you are the best

Time has taken you away
Farewell my love
It wasn’t supposed to end this way

The sad face of the newspaper vendor tells it  all
The world is a mess
We all take the fall
His somber visage
That thin, grim smile
He barely says hello
All the while I scan the headlines
Crises galore
What’s more is the sad notion
We must brace for more
Darkness and pain
That’s reality
Woe for the world
Woe for you and me
But I’m not giving up yet

There was someone else before Jennifer
But she’ll never know
There’s no need to tell her
What good would it do?
That was a lifetime ago
It’s over with but not done
The heartache will last forever
Still, he’s moving on
Sandy is her name
She with the golden hair
Unfortunately, she was married to another
There’s never any good ending to an affair
So Jimmy has moved on
He’s now with Jennifer
What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her
Their future appears sure
No more Sandy
Jimmy is moving on
He’ll stay with Jennifer

Recklessly handsome
Living on a daily mix of adrenaline and caffeine
A carnation boutonnière ever-present
He’s a new dog being taught old tricks
Adroit, ready to pounce
In the field, alive

It’s complicated when you can’t discuss what you do
That’s why most date inside the Agency
As does he
Deployed in Myanmar
Under cover
Working alone
He can’t date anyone

We met and connected, then she went away
I didn't like texting or skyping, she felt the same way
Romantic letters didn't do it either
I thought the most romantic message would be myself
So there I was, what a surprise for her
All the way there for her
Oh, she was amazed and what a thrill
When she walked up a kissed me, then said
"I'm still your girl."

I said I had something to tell her
She said, "What?," and I said "I love you."
She made it clear she felt the same,
Now we are two

I'm lucky because she loves me more than most people ever get loved
As for that trip I did take
It paid off, does so every day
That was no mistake

All for you baby
You’re always number one
I’ve had other lovers
But they’re over with and gone
It’s just you and me from now on
The way it shall be
It’s you I love
It’s you and me

Can we make it together?
You asked, as we lay side to side
I nodded yes, I knew inside
We are true lovers
We are meant to be

It’s knowing and believing
Faith and hope combined
Perfect clarity
Two lives defined
The future so bright
Our souls entwined

So good it felt
So good it still feels
We found our truth
It’s you me

That thin line between fame and oblivion  
All of us somewhere
Between the spark
And death
It’s everything in between
Making a mark
Or trying to
Staving off the inevitable
But that day will come
As it must to all
There is no permanence
We each find our way
Trying our best
Refusing to fail

It's not about what could have been
But what used to be
I don't look back in anger
Rather misery
What were the good old days
Were not meant to be
Not something you shrug off
You're never free of the memory
Of what we used to do
When it was good for me
But apparently not for her
Wish I could let it be

Where to I go to get back my heart?
I'm now now so alone
Mystified at my misfortune
Alone at home
Nursing this invisible scar
That taunts and haunts me

I liked everything about her
That's what did me in
Gave it all I had
I was in it to win
I've got mementos
To remind me of my love so sure
They need to disappear
Like me into other arms
In a love that's pure

Everything is copy
So Nora’s mother said
Same for poetry
That flows from my head
Random notes I tuck away
To be used later on
To make a point about something
Pro or con
Everything is copy

Life teaches lessons
It’s how we learn
In the quotidian existence
The day to day
What’s important becomes apparent
What we do and say
About the need for love
For friendship
For trust
For meaning
For hope

It’s all copy
What I know and see
I’m evaluating
Sifting
Trying to live a life
Extraordinary

All those years before you, before us
Are why I get senti over you
Why I make a fuss
My years of longing are gone
For finally I found you
I miss you when you’re not near
I treasure what we have
I'm utterly sincere
Such sass with class
It only took a moment
To fall in love
Second date I knew

It’s been a long time coming
Me and you
A long time, a long time

Every time I hear that song
I want to leave the room
It brings back memories
Of sadness, such gloom
There I was trying to accept
To understand why she didn’t believe
In me, in us, in what could be
That song told the truth
About a girl confused
It hit me hard
I tried to hang on
No can do
I was stuck in a foreign land
Dumped, distressed
Dejected and mad
At her, at life, at myself
Stuck, out of luck
A man overboard

Patches on his elbows
He lumbered along
He no longer smoked his pipe
He still wore tweed
He'd often sit on the bench where he courted Mary back in the day
When they were young and so in love
With merriment they played

She died too young, kids still in their teens
He remained a professor of the classics
A student of dreams
Much like the one he once lived and knew
That life was not fair he knew to be true

A miracle happened, the skies opened up
When he needed it most, she showed up
A graduate student he once mentored
Now an assistant professor,
He was on her mind
She knew not to come on to him during graduate time
When she was his student, that was fine
She would wait, as she did
For she loved him and his mind
And now it was right, now is the time

First was coffee, then a dinner date
For the first time they kissed
They could not wait
Now they're holding hands
Both making the same wish
That this will work out
It's all so new
It's sure looking good
Stay tuned.

You make my day every day  
That's sure easy to say
The world may be complicated
But with you it's easy to navigate
We're rock steady, on an even keel
Our magnificent love affair
Real, so very real

You made my life by becoming my wife
Dragons now are easy to slay
And when we play nook and cranny
Let the orchestra play

Love and balance are two words that define
What it is we've got, what love has wrought
How we are defined
A constant star we are
A ringing clarion bell
A bastion of coolness
What the hell, I'll say it
Purely conceived
I look out for you
You look out for me