The season is upon us
it's time for peace and joy
that is for those who live without
a wound up little boy.
His eyes brim with excitement
as he stares up at the tree
while jumping round from foot to foot
his passion plain to see.
He sits there at the window
His eyes they scan the sky
for any sign of Santa and his reindeer passing by.
I tell him it's too early, I say it isn't time
yet still he sits there waiting
and keeps a watchful eye.
He runs to bed at bedtime
excited now to sleep
as sleeping makes the time fly by
as closer Christmas creeps.
He's counting down the hours
as day turns into night,
with a jolly shout of "FOUR MORE SLEEPS !!"
he goes out like a light.

This dark is filled with ghosts.

Teaming fingers, bone cold with the agony of sorrow brush my brow, willing me to mourn, to cease to be within this beating form and join the shadows that beckon.
I chase oblivion down to the bottom of the nearest bottle and beyond, my smile a painted scar that masks the ugliness within, as numbness creeps silently into the corners of my soul.

I will not belong within the hearts of the living.
I will not be long at all.

For Calpurnia**

You say you're getting old
the years are flying by
your hair is slowly greying
and there's wrinkles round your eyes.
Those wrinkles made by laughter
just add to your collection
of all the little things that show
the depth of your affection.
Let today be filled with laughter
and let tomorrow pay
get loud, get drunk, get rowdy
I've seen how hard you play!
Life begins at 40
for you I'm sure it's true
I'll raise a glass and hope to have
40 more years of you.

Did you feel me through your dreaming
as I loved you in deep dark
velvet skin your senses warming 
as I kissed your beating heart.

Did you feel my warmth envelop
taking all with slow desire
sat astride the depths of pleasure
eyes ablaze with carnal fire.

Did you feel the tension rising
changing rhythms taking toll
binding flesh with pulsing passion
sweet explosions letting go.

Did you sigh on waking lonely
pray for evening to begin
to feel once more while sweetly dreaming
the ghost of me upon your skin.

Since I was an innocent
I've been a ***** and proud
each album loved, each song adored
and all played way too loud.

I lost my heart in Candy's Room,
while the dogs on main street howled,
I searched for love in darkness
out on the edge of town.

First love flowed with The River
to seal the Ties That Bind
our Two Hearts watched love Fade Away
as Mary softly cried.

These songs they are my heartbeat
and many more besides.
I thank you for providing
the soundtrack to my life.

Autumn approaches
hiding her dance of decay
beneath russet skirts.

Evenings bleed early
through chill days
bringing steel dawns.

All falls silent
as leaves pirouette gaily
to the swansong of summer.

Birdsong threads remain
as harmony takes flight
to sheltered shores.

Autumn approaches,
bitter winter tracing steps
in her glorious wake.