Everyone's a sinner
I'm certain that is true
I am...that's a given
and I guess then...so are you

Argue if you want to
There's ten, so it's not hard
To break one on occasion
It doesn't hurt, and you're not scarred

I see bony little fingers
Twisting little tiny beads
Praying quiet for redemption
Rubbing little holy seeds

Sitting in the church pews
With rosaries in hand
Little wrinkled people
In churches all across the land

Some will pray in silence
Not a whisper will you hear
They're addicted to the motion
Of the beads they keep so near

I hope they get to heaven
If the beads help, then they win
They sit praying for redemption
From the earthly hell they're in

Some may light a candle
For a loved one they have lost
Then, they sit and ask redemption
No matter what the cost

Little wrinkled fingers
Working nimbly at the beads
They say their prayers in silence
Clutching tightly at their seeds.

Gianni's hadn't opened yet
But, the bar was going strong
If you listened, in the distance
You heard the working of a song

The regulars were present
The Captain, Soldier and the kid
The bartender was cleaning
'Cause that was what she did

The sun, well, it was shining
It was a great day all around
And in the alley sat The Blues man
Sitting still upon the ground

Nothing, any different
Than most any other day
The street folk passing greetings
While the Blues man chose to play

The bell above the bar door rang
As a stranger came on in
The dust hung in a sunbeam
Falling  from the old bell of tin

In back of old Gianni's
The Blues man played a Dylan tune
He slid right into Guthrie
It was a perfect afternoon

The stranger grabbed the bar's end stool
He ordered up and looked around
Then he said, "excuse me barkeep"
"Just exactly, what's that sound?"

She said it was The Blues man
He's a legend on the street
The man said, "sounds intriguing"
"He is someone I should meet"

The Captain ordered up a shot
The juke box started playing
In the corner sat an old man
Not quite sure if he was staying

The barkeep quizzed the stranger
Said "You're off the normal route"
"Most stranger get directions"
Then he pulled a card out of his suit

He said his name was  Edwards
He wasn't lost, he had a plan
He'd heard about the music
Now he came to meet the man

"It says here you do A & R"
"You can sit here and can listen"
"But, The Blues man isn't gonna talk"
"You have nothing that he's missing"

The music in the bar was rock
Out in back, a bluesy lick
You could listen to the tunes inside
Or go out back, you had your pick

"Can I at least go out and see him?"
"You can but won't get far"
Then she put his card with others
She had collected in a jar

"You see those cards all in there?"
"Thirty three more just like you"
"Have come around here snffing"
"Like he's some creature in a zoo"

"See that girl there in the corner?"
The man nodded that he did
"Talk to her, she'll tell you"
"She runs the book store, she's his kid"

The Blues man played some Chapin
Let loose on Thunder Road
Took a small sip from his hip flask
It was hidden, rarely showed

The man asked for an ashtray
Was told "you cannot smoke in here"
"But, the old man in the corner..."
She said sssshhhh, and poured a beer

"The folks round here have stories"
"Some good, and some are bad"
"He's the only one that I let smoke"
"The old man's story is quite sad"

"Stick around a while, see"
"Just what makes the street click"
"There's a hundred different stories"
"Look around and take your pick"

"But, what about The Blues man?"
"I can give him things he hasn't got"
"You will learn sir, that possessions"
"Make him something he is not"

"He plays music in the alley"
"He does't know if you are there"
"He plays what his soul is feeling"
"He'll play to you, or to the air"

"Your best bet, is to sit here"
"Leave him be, don't light the fuse"
"You may set him on a tangent"
"And he just may lose his muse"

"He's a part of everybody here"
"He's a savior, and a sage"
"He's The Blues man to the street folk"
"But, he's from a different age"

"Have a beer, talk to his daughter"
"Play some darts, the beer's on me"
"My advice, I hope you'll take it"
"Is to let The Blues man be"

"Go back to where you came from"
"Tell the folks who sent you here"
"That The Blues man declined nicely"
"And then you two shared a beer"

He smiled, looked to the corner
Ordered one more, "I concur"
"while you're pouring out my lager"
"pour one more drink for her"

He went off to the corner
Introduced himself and sat
Never mentioned his profession
And that they say is that

The Blues man played some Johnson
The A & R man stayed a while
He looked back toward the barkeep
She looked back, and shared a smile

Fourteen months I practiced
Climbing rocks and hillocks too
I was off to see the Seer
On a mountain in Peru
I packed my gear
My ropes and boots
and I set off on my trip
I had brought along
ten pairs of gloves
So I would not lose my grip
The group we had assembled
Had questions for this man
Questions church folk could not answer
And we all hoped he can
Tales of his great insight
Spread from sea to sea
And we were off on an adventure
And he would talk to me
Each seer lived inside a cave
With a pillow and a goat
With the goat hair stuffed his pillow
And the extra for a coat
He never left his mountain
Never came to town for food
He was always free with answers
No matter what his mood
The seer had been a fixture
On the mountain top for years
Over five hundred winters passing
Had meant there'd been eight seers
We climbed upon arrival
It took two days just to reach
The base camp, our new homeland
We would learn and he would teach
The weather cleared on Tuesday
And we ventured out in force
We were bogged down ******* Friday
And we had to leave our horse
Each day the trek was tougher
But, our goal was still in sight
We figured if the weather cleared
We'd be there in one more night
The next day we had made it
We were where the seer had sat
There was a goat, and a small letter
Saying "There's now an app for that"
"Thank you for your interest"
"But, I've set up a new site"
"It's www.seer.com"
"Safe journey home, and have a good good night".

I'm sorry, I can't tell you when
Our country will be on again
But, please take heed that until then
You've got a place in line

Our operators in DC
Voted in by you and me
Have lost their ablility to see
They're paid, and that is fine

Our veterans who went and fought
Whose loyalties can not be bought
They learned lessons that can't be taught
But now, they stand in line

To use the lands that they kept free
In the name of Liberty
A Government for you and me
Closed by choice...a choice not yours or mine.

bells are ringing
hear the sound
i'm listening
six feet under ground
i've got a problem
so i've found
no one quite wants me around

i'm a challenge
i've sold my soul
but, i'm still waiting
in this hole
i hear the ringing
i'm set to go
but, i'm still waiting
in this hole

heaven don't want me
and hell ain't ready
not quite yet
hell ain't ready
sitting waiting
i'm ready teddy
heaven don't want me
and hell ain't ready

shot a man
because he crossed me
beat another
cause he bossed me
had a wife
but, now she's lost me
i'm stuck waiting in this hole

fought a war
that had no winner
i'm not a saing
i'm just a sinner
i choked to death
while eating dinner
i'm down here waiting
getting thinner
i'm stuck here in this hole


heaven don't want me
and hell ain't ready
not quite yet
hell ain't ready
sitting waiting
i'm ready teddy
heaven don't want me
and hell ain't ready

hell ain't ready
for me to go there
hell ain't ready
for what i'll do there
hell ain't ready
i think it ain't fair
i'm waiting in this hole
i'm ready, set to go
just waiting in this hole
but,,,hell ain't ready


heaven don't want me
and hell ain't ready
not quite yet
hell ain't ready
sitting waiting
i'm ready teddy
heaven don't want me
and hell ain't ready

Make a wish on every star
There's a lot of magic in the sky
Close your eyes and make a wish
On each star up there so high

Click your heels at least three times
Pick a clover in the park
Make a wish upon a rabbits foot
Look for stars when it gets dark

There's a miracle for everyone
You'll find it over time
There's a miracle for everyone
And I'm glad that I found mine

Miracles are out there now
Hiding there, right in plain sight
So, remember to wish on that star
When you go home tonight

Look into the sky at night
Find a star, or maybe two
You might just get your miracle
But you won't unless you do

There's a miracle for everyone
You'll find it over time
There's a miracle for everyone
And I'm glad that you are mine.

It's safer in the middle
It's really plain to see
If someone tries to pick me off
They shoot others before me

A platoon is led by leaders
Some who aren't around
While those of us out marching
Get picked off without a sound

You know it may sound selfish
Listen up, it isn't dumb
It's safer in the middle
Than with the flag or with the drum

It's safer in the middle
At the back you're in the hunt
If the parade should turn around
You now are at the front

It was the night before Christmas
A dilemma arose
The temperature dropped
And Mike Klein's car was froze
With a last minute errand
And a trip to the wash
It was minus 18
And it was frozen...by gosh
With an ice pick and hammer
And two friends and some beer
Mike attacked the stuck window
With his ice breaking gear
He swung with the hammer
Missed the car by a yard
slipped on some ice
And went down really hard
He had some de-icer
He remembered at last
But it was in the car
And that train had past
His wife was now waiting
For Mike to take them to mass
But Mike....as we know
Was in the garage on his ***
He thought for a moment
I've a small propane torch
I could melt my way in
With nary a scorch
So he looked for his lighter
He looked near and looked far
Then he looked through the window
It was inside his car
He thought for a while
How he would tell his spouse
They'd not go to church
They were stuck at the house
When what to his Liberal eyes did appear
but, his beautiful wife
And she was holding a beer
"I don't care what happened
I don't want to know
But, get up off your ***
And get out of that snow
Go change your pants
I know this is fully your fault
But, I'll be right back
with a shaker of salt"
The salt broke the ice dam
And they left without worry
They were almost there late
But Mike drove in a hurry
And I heard him exclaim
As he started to go
"I will not wash the car
When it's eighteen below!!"

Nothing left in this old town
I felt I didn't have much choice
I jumped on board a west bound freight
It was there I heard the voice.....

"Boy, this here is my car"
"You keep the rules, and you'll be fine"
"I don't know you, you don't know me"
"Boy, this car is mine"

I squinted in the darkness
I tried to focus on the sound
That voice there in the boxcar
As rough as any I had found

I asked him where he came from
He spoke but wasn't clear
Everywhere and Nowhere
And right now from right here

Now boy, Keep your distance
Keep quiet, leave me be
I don't like conversation
You keep to you, and I to me

Just then, the train car shifted
That there's the final shunt
You're safe now boy inside this car
The rail men stopped their hunt

He said that there shunting noise
Is the starting of a song
The train soon will start moving
Everyone is moving on

While the cars are stagnant
You know, not moving, sitting still
The rail men all go hunting
For us hobo's , if you will

That shunting sound is heaven
It means we are onto who knows where
And frankly boy, you know deep down
It really isn't fair

I asked him what he meant by that
He said, I've said enough
As time goes by, you sound some smart
You'll pick up on this stuff

The silence then took over
He was sleeping, so did I
He was snoring quite contently
I couldn't find sleep, I wonder why?

About an hour later
He sparked a match and smoke
And again from in the darkness
The hobo, well, he spoke

Boy, you are a new one
You could have killed me where I lay
But, boy, I trust your scared some
So, I guess I'm safe today

T'was a time a decade back
Got knifed, real hard and deep
Taken by another jumper
While I tried to have a sleep

Hadn't make that choice before
Most times I'm here alone
But, it was cold and wintry like
And I threw this boy a bone

See, it's dangerous riding rail cars
We are all on here to hide
And sometimes, well then, most times
This is not a pleasant ride

You know you asked my name back there
I ain't heard it for so long
They call me "The Conductor"
I'd give my name but, I'd be wrong

Life out here ain't easy
Your head is on a swivel
Listen boy, this is the truth
Not just some hobo drivel

Even though we're many
You are still alone out here
Some you think are friends one day
Would **** you for a pint of beer

So, keep your distance, bide your time
The choice is up to you
Stay out here and roll the dice
And do what you must do

I listened as he rambled
Sorted words that I could keep
Then as sudden as he started
He stopped, and went to sleep

Do I ride the rails a no one?
Lose my name inside my mind?
Or do I travel 'cross the country?
To see just what it is I'd find

I'm lost with no direction
Staying stagnant, that I know
But, the life of The Conductor
Is that where I want to go

I heard the old man snoring
I huddled up and grabbed my stuff
Between the lines from The Conductor
I guess I wasn't all that tough

Back home there is a fellow
The blues man is his name
He reminds me of this fellow
They could be one and the same

Next time I hear the blues man
Or hear the whistle of a train
I'll think of The Conductor
The man who has no name

It doesn't much matter where I travel in town
There's a spectre that hangs in the air
A shadow attached to the places I go
Because together we once travelled there

A new life, some changes
Ditch the shadow and move on with things
But there in the corner, hiding back in the dark
Is the darkness, and to me it still sings

Simple things bring the spectre
Like a drink at a bar
It just hovers where just I can see
I need to remove it,
this thing black as tar
And only then will I truly be free

The spectre is missing when I travel abroad
That is good, but it's here that I live
I gave of my self for many long years
How much more am I destined to give?

When I'm with my Megan the spectre is gone
I rarely can see it about
But, when I'm alone or am just with a friend
It pops up and it shows me it's out

You can't see the spectre
It's just shows up for me
It stays way in the back, thank the lord
But, it still comes out sometimes
When it should not be about
I guess then it is out 'cause it's bored

The spectre has travelled with me for some years
Most times he is dusted and done
But if you know of this demon and you see him too
My one it smells just like ***

my words
my torture
my sickness
my muse
my timewaster
my adventure
my pain
my laughter
my loss
my gain
my failure
my success
my love
my hate
my heart
my friend
my foe
my will
my drama
my comedy
my faith
my leap
my confusion
my experience
my soul
my temptress
my god
my words....

Not being religious,
There's a question I have
that has puzzled me since I was ten
My parents divorced when I was quite young
And I guess I thought of this then

Christmas is the story
Of the birth of our lord
Yours, mine, I'm really not sure
But I often thought hard
And it bothers me still
What is Jesus' tie to a store?

Retail it seems
Makes Christmas seem right
As long as you get what you want
But I don't understand
The connection between
"made in china" and three ghosts who haunt

But back to my question
It's one I must ask
Since my parents got divorced in a court
If Jesus' father is truly our God
Did he ever get sued for support?

I think back to yesterday
climbing trees out in the park
and hearing papa once I fell
say "that will leave a mark"

life is full of times
when we struggle in the dark
hitting things and broken hearts
that will leave a mark

live your life the best you can
make your bite worse than your bark
leave it so when you are gone
you know you left a mark

playing sports, and racing cars
doing things just for a lark
back inside my head I hear
that will leave a mark

father always said play tough
when it rains don't build an ark
swim against the current son
make sure you leave a mark

live your life the best you can
make your bite worse than your bark
leave it so when you are gone
you know you left a mark

a scar that shows that you played hard
in life or in the park
always hear your father say
that will leave a mark

don't hide away from nothing
remember you can be the shark
when you do , do something
that will leave a mark

live your life the best you can
make your bite worse than your bark
leave it so when you are gone
you know you left a mark

Close your eyes
Count back from ten
Tomorrow
We can start again

Think of stars
Up in the sky
Count them now
That sleep is nigh

Sleep my gentle child
And fill your head with dreams
Of puppy dogs and baseball games
And hundreds of ice creams
Count the shining stars
Keep counting back from ten
Tonight, just sleep and dream your dreams
And tomorrow start again

You can skateboard to the moon
On golden beams of light
The moon's surrounded by the stars
That brighten up the night

I've counted down to one
And you are now asleep
God keep you safe my little one
As from your room I creep....

I had a voice inside my head
Speaking low, I heard it say
You can make your whole world better
If you listen ...now ....today

I shook my head and looked around
Saw that I was alone
I figured that the voice I heard
came from someone's cell phone

It said..
Take my hand and walk with me
I'll will guide you on your way
Let me deep inside your soul
And we can start our walk today

I looked around at where I sat
Thought, this can't be all there is
I signed on for better than...
I didn't sign for this

The voice spoke softly to me
follow me, I know the way
I wasn't set to travel
At least not now...today

It said..
Take my hand and walk with me
I'll will guide you on your way
Let me deep inside your soul
And we can start our walk today

I listened and I took the walk
Together, down the beach
There are places deep inside
The voice, it helped me reach

I'm not saying who it was
For, as now, I do not know
But, I've started a new journey
And the voice, says where to go

whatever floats yer boat
paint a picture
sing a song
even write a note
just get out
and tell yer story
whatever floats yer boat

the message
is important
you could paint
it on a goat
just get out
and tell yer story
whatever floats yer boat

a writer sings
a painter paints
an author uses words
it's no good
unless the message
isn't seen or heard

keeping thoughts as secret
isn't good and here is why
because sharing brings them life
and otherwise they'll die

write a letter
do a play
or even bake a cake
the message
it is important
who cares what form it takes

say it loud
or scream it
even put it in a song
opinions
are for sharing
even if they're wrong

a writer sings
a painter paints
an author uses words
it's no good
unless the message
isn't seen or heard

keeping thoughts as secret
isn't good and here is why
because sharing brings them life
and otherwise they'll die

paint a picture
sing a song
even write a note
just get out
and tell yer story
whatever floats yer boat

I don't make New Year's resolutions
I make revolutions instead
The only way to keep from failing
Is to start the New Year dead

Losing weight, working out
I might even join a gym
But come December of the coming year
I still have not reached slim

I'll be nicer to my boss, and wife
I'll do more chores around the house
I always say this every year
But, I'm still reminded by my spouse

I'll save more money, start a fund
Take the family on a trip
But come July and August
I've let the travel savings slip

A New Year's resolution
Is a failure from the start
I have come to the conclusion
You've set the horse before the cart

By early spring you have none left
All your great ideas are broke
So, since I'm not succeeding
This year I'll start to smoke

You may ask me why I don't
Like to call them resolutions
It's because you make the same each year
And that's a revolution

One year, a circuit, twelve whole months
And you're back right where you started
You might set out to change your life
But in truth, you only farted

I don't make New Year's resolutions
I make revolutions instead
The only way to keep from failing
Is to start the New Year dead

You shower, shave, and dress up nice
A night out on the town
The boys and you are heading out
Some beer you all will down

HAIR DONE, ON TO MAKE-UP NEXT
DO I LOOK GOOD IN THIS?
I DON'T WANT TO LOOK TOO EASY
IN CASE SOMEONE WANTS A KISS

The bar stools all sit vacant
As the boys arrive at nine
The band is getting started
The beer is cold, that's fine

WE GOT A TABLE IN THE CORNER
WE CAN WATCH THE GUYS AND SEE
IF THERE'S ANYBODY HERE TONIGHT
THAT REALLY INTERESTS ME

You catch the eye of a young girl
Sitting with her group of friends
You bet the boys a beer or two
On how the night will end

YOU SMILE AT THE BROWN EYED MAN
HE LEAVES THE BAR TO COME ACROSS
FROM WHERE YOU SIT HE LOOKS OK
TONIGHT WON'T BE A LOSS

Sitting with four girls  is strange
Trying to separate the herd
Three get up to dance although
You can't hear a single word

HE TAKES THE TIME TO TALK TO ME
I LIKE THE WAY HE THINKS
HE EVEN ASKED THE OTHER GIRLS
AND THEN HE ORDERED DRINKS

The game goes on between these two
As the night comes to an end
He sidles up to his buddies and
He talks of his new friend

PLANS ARE MADE TO MEET AGAIN
HE'S TOO SHY TO MAKE A PASS
HE'S NOT THE KIND TO KISS ME OFF
THIS ONE HAS GOT SOME CLASS

Weeks go by, with many dates
Both with friends and you alone
At some point the relationship
Takes on a different tone

I'VE BEEN HURT ON SOME OCCASIONS
BUT, WITH HIM, I FEEL A CHANGE
I THINK I MAY JUST LOVE HIM
WHEN HE'S NEAR I FEEL REAL STRANGE

She listens to my stories and
Laughs when jokes are bad
She makes me feel so special
It's a feeling I've not had

WHEN DID THE HEART TAKE OVER?
When did the "Me" become a "We"?
When was the "M" inverted?
I think a couple we will be

This tale goes on each evening
In restaurants and in cars
The night has no expectations
And in the end you're counting stars

At some point you will notice
As your friends move to the back
That true love comes without notice
As being single fades to black.....

We were over when we started
That was plain for all to see
The only one who didn't see it
From what I know, was me

The signs were there to show me
That we just would never last
I always talked about our future
You only talked about your past

I couldn't see the forest
The trees were just too thick
But, there hidden in the woodlot
What I'd find would make me sick

Everyone around me
told me I should be aware
That the love I held in my heart
In yours, just wasn't there

Compromise was missing
It's always yours or not at all
I was never ready for the breakup
I wasn't ready for the fall

I learned to look around me
Not to fall so hard and fast
To take my time and maybe
I'd find something that would last

We were no good together
I seem to know that now
But you taught me what to look for
So, stand up and take a bow

I'm a better person for it
Even though you broke my heart
We were no good together
I should have seen it from the start....

I can't make a living living here
It's time I shifted gears
Another factory has shut down
I can't make a living living here

No one comes in to the bar
I can't afford to pay the band
I'm not living hand to mouth
I'm living mouth to hand

I can't make a living living here
Most folks are on the move
More signs go up every day
I can't make a living living here

Windows boarded, stores all closed
There's no where here to shop
It don't matter anyway
There's no one left to shop

I can't make a living living  here
It's time I shifted gears
Another factory has shut down
I can't make a living living here

I gave the town just one more chance
I've done it fourteen times
I guess those leaving got it right
The next for sale sign's mine

I can't make a living living here
It's time that I changed gears
Some one else can sell their beer
I can't make a living living here

Fire and Ice

Leather and Lace

Be one or the other

But do it with grace

Long skirts or minis

Sinner or saint

Just be who you are

Don't be who you ain't

There is no real reason

To put on a mask

Just think who you're hiding

There's no need to ask

They say there's a heaven

And there's also a hell

It's your choice where you're going

But, you never can tell

Are you buyer or seller

Are you leading the way

Are you one who's a worker

Or one who just plays?

Wearing high heels or sneakers

Stocking or socks

Are you dressed up all mousey

Or dressed like a fox

Leather and Lace

Sinner or Saint

Be just who you are

Don't be who you ain't

There's pressure around you

To change who you are

Is it worth all the trouble

For, you've made it this far

Your road's not determined

You choose the fork you should take

No devil or angel

It's your decision to make

But, whichever direction

You should choose to make yours

Don't burn all your bridges

Or close all your doors

The road is a circle

You can change it in time

But it's your choice to change it

Not hers, his or mine

The world is just waiting

It's there waiting for you

It's not just for men

It's a woman's world too

So, devil or angel

Sinner or saint

Just be who you are

Don't be who you ain't !!!!
..

I went back to the doctor
And I swear, this is no fib
He told me that the line I found
Was ...get this...yes..a rib!!!
I told him, doc, you're crazy
I've not seen one in years
Except for ones I eat in bars
And wash down with ten beers
He said, "Well, Mr. Turner"
"That's a rib...as sure as ****"
He said "you must be losing weight"
"and you've uncovered it"
"I've been a doctor for a long, long time"
"and believe me when I say"
"I've seen a lot of ribs my boy"
"And I'm seeing one today"
I asked him "will I soon get abs?"
He told me "that will come in time"
"Don't put the cart before the horse"
"That sir, is a crime"
"You've found a rib, you're doing well"
"Your bloodwork came back good"
"Cholesterol is way way down"
"It's showing what it should"
I said "I can't believe it"
"good blood and ribs as well"
"I've got to get on facebook"
"I've lot's of folks to tell"
I then went on to tell him
I could see below my lap
He said "it's not your *****"
"It's just a dried up ,old , skin flap"
"Take your time and you'll get healthy"
"You've more ribs to go and get"
"You're doing much, much, better"
"But, your'e still not healthy...yet"
I said "there's something wiggling"
"When I look down, past my nose"
He said, "you won't believe me..."
"But, I think you see your toes"
I couldn't take the good news
I almost fainted dead away
Good blood, a rib, and now my toes
This was a special day
The best part of this visit
The most important news
Is that because I see that skin flap
I'm no longer peeing on my shoes!!

If I could put the words together
To tell you how I feel about you
I would wrap my arms around you
To tell you I love you

But, I guess I will just search forever
To find the words to put together
And some days I just feel I'll never
Find the words that say I do

The words are in me somewhere
I just hope one day I'll find
A way to put to paper
What is written in my mind
The words are in me somewhere
They're somewhere in my head
I just hope I get them out
Before I end up dead

I wish that I could say my thoughts
as easily as others do
And get the words together right
And make my thoughts sound new

If I could form a sentence, then a phrase
that tells you how I feel
I'd write the words I love you
And the feeling would be real.

I'm off the plane

I'm all checked in

I've turned off my cell phone

All I know is

Baby....I ain't never coming home!

The water calls

The drinks do too

The sun's warm on my back

All I know is

Baby...I ain't comin' home to you

We fought  for months

We said goodbye

I hopped a flight and left you

And now you know

I'm me again

I'm loving it, I'm brand new

Hawaiin tropic

Ice cold drinks

Women in bikinis

All I know is,

Baby...i'm staying here methinks!

The Ocean Breeze

wakes  my mind

Set's my senses free

All I know is

Baby,...I'm staying here where I can be me.

We fough for months

We said goodbye

I hopped a flight and left you

And now you know

I'm me again

I'm loving it, I'm brand new

Two weeks gone

My money's low

Cheque is in the mail

All I know is

Baby.....I'm staying here to sail

Life is better

I found me

I'm happy where I am

All I know is baby..

I'm now a brand new man.

We fough for months

We said goodbye

I hopped a flight and left you

And now you know

I'm me again

I'm loving it, I'm brand new

Trading away

My Life of old

Starting out brand new

All I know is baby..

I'm glad I'm not with you

Yeah, All I know is baby

I'm just glad I'm not with you

You've met the people in my mind
They live upon The Street
It's near nowhere special anywhere
They don't know the word defeat
We all know people like them
And I hope it jogged your brain
Maybe they reminded you of someone else
And if they did, I'm glad you came
The bartender and Bluesman
Harry Cooper and Old Cy
The old man at the graveyard
And all the other passers by
They're all a work of fiction
But, they're people we all know
We all know a street a bit like this
No matter where we go
I hope that you enjoyed them
And I hope some made you think
I hope some made you smile
And others brought you to the brink
These people are inside me
Their stories needed to be told
But now that you have read them
They are your stories now to hold
I thank you for your patience
And I appreciate the time
You walked in a mind's garden
And I'm glad that you chose mine.
Thanks for enjoying "The Street" and it's people.

Every morning while it was dark
He'd wake and pack his boards
With plastic men, his soldiers
To do battle with no swords

He'd put them in his basket
Load them all into the cart
He'd have a tea and bagel
And then, his day would start

He would walk from his apartment
To the park, before the sun
Two miles and a quarter
Just past highway eighty one

There, inside the complex
In the middle of the park
He'd play chess, against all comers
And he'd stay 'till after dark


A prodigy at ten years old
He would beat men three times his age
He would sit there in stunned silence
As they stormed around in rage

A master by his eighteenth year
He hadn't lost on his home ground
He would play and play and nothing else
To the chess board he was bound

Although he had his title
He couldn't leave to play
If he left the country
Then, back home is where'd he stay

He played some competitions
Made his points to climb the list
But, still he kept on thinking
Of the games that he had missed

I saw him in Toronto
Playing for a buck a game
He played against  all comers
The result, always the same

His accent was a harsh one
His beard was slightly rough
With some he'd be a softie
With others, he was gruff

Each day he'd make the journey
Pull his boards down and set off
He'd joke about while playing
And at bad moves he would scoff

"In Russia, they would shoot you"
"If you made a move like that"
Was he lying in the bushes
Should you move or just stand pat?

He moved on down to Yonge Street
When the park land all was sold
No one knew just why it happened
He went there, and it was closed

On a small street down by Eatons
He moved his boards so he could play
He didn't need to walk there now
He could now go by subway

There was more room here for players
To learn at this man's feet
They would line up with their dollars
Knowing full well, they'd be beat

The crowd that came from Yonge street
To see this rock star of the board
Were much different from the park folk
But to this street they poured

College players, bankers
Strippers from the Zanzibar
would come and drop their dollar
Then lose and find a bar

As time went on, his game it changed
He'd take more time for his moves
He would talk more as distraction
And once I saw him lose

His brain was getting fuzzy
Age was now taking a toll
Time, it owned his body
But the board still owned his soul

He'd flirt with the young maidens
Showing cleavage in the sun
One girl even flashed him
Because she thought she'd won

He joked about her actions
Told the crowd that it was nice
He joked that if she showed some more
He'd let her come close twice

As time went on the master
Didn't come downtown each day
He'd stay at home in silence
Downtown was far away

He dreamed of heading home again
But, he knew that couldn't be
Then we saw him on the news one night
On the local CBC

He played downtown for seven years
He last played in 85
He took sick and nearly passed on
Thankfully, the master did survive

His name was Josef Smolij
He was Polish, but we thought
He was Russian from his comments
Made when our bad moves were caught

His absence still is felt there
Gould street it was his space
The area he used to play
Is now called Hacksell Place

He left and went to Europe
Germany became his home
But still down there off Yonge street
The old chess ghosts still roam

I remember playing Smolij
I remember it was hot
I lost and then he told me
"Back in Russia...you'd be shot"

He was 60 when I played him
He'd be 99 or so
I'm glad I got to meet him
The Master known as Joe

Hero....easily described
but, not so easily found
I've two that I remember
Now, both six feet in the ground

Not firemen, or athletes
Not policeman or my dad
But these two people are heroes
And that I met them makes me glad

Simon, strong as true forged steel
A kid with only one speed in his head
He was always pushing limits
And now poor Simon's dead

He was ten when I first met him
He was in a chair, but hey, big deal
Simon was a true survivor
He showed me just how I should feel

He showed me I was handicapped
He told me off when it was due
Until I treated him like other kids
He showed me stuff I never knew

He left us far too early
A little boy, not yet a man
but, Simon, you're my hero
You showed the reason for "I can"

The other one, I only knew
For a short time years ago
He was two when I first met him
With skin as white as fallen snow

We both shared a room together
He wouldn't live a long long life
He had luekemia and was dying
Too young to have this strife

He was always smiling broadly
As happy as someone could be
He didn't know that he was dying
He didn't know he'd not see three

But, his smile and his shining eyes
They showed me what it means
To live each day like it's your last
And to not make big, sad scenes

Both these special children
Left impressions on my heart
They are my special heroes
Who never got a chance to start

Heading back to where I'd started
Thirty years since I'd been gone
I can still remember leaving
Didn't think I'd be gone this long

Playing legions and house parties
On to clubs and smoky bars
Things have changed while I've been missing
Had more wives than I've had cars

Heading Home...I think it's time
That little town, sticks in my mind
Heading Home...my heart is talking
It tells my brain that it is time

Did some tv and four movies
Put out albums and cds
Played in places long forgotten
Here at home and overseas

Played on flatbed trucks in rainstorms
Played in shopping malls as well
Played some shows in Arizona
Man, that place is hot as hell

Time to get on home and settle
do some tours but work at home
Time to be a grandpa proper
Unlike the dad who was on the road

Got a ranch out in Alberta
George Canyon lives not far from me
Maybe we can get together
And I can do one more cd

Heading Home to where my heart is
Been gone so long, time slipped away
Home is where my folks are buried
Home is where I'm gonna stay

Madness is a fine line
You don't know if you've crossed
You don't know if it's happened
You don't know what you've lost
The words that am I hearing
Let me know that I'm not dead
The problem with the words
Is that they're all inside my head
People say I might be crazy
My writing does inspire
I know that I'm not lazy
I'm walking a tight wire
It's just there's other voices
I hear that mean I'm sane
I just know all these voices
Are stuck inside my brain.
I see things slightly different
I look from the outside
I might not see what you do
But my view is much more wide
I don't know if I've lost it
My marbles might be gone
But the voices I am hearing
Are singing a nice song.
I'm not saying I'm a genius
I just can't stop my mind
I know that what I'm writing
Just helps me to unwind
It's funny how sometimes though
I think it may be true
But out of all the voices
None of them is you.
One thing about the voices
Is what they sometimes say
They speak in different accents
They try to show the way
The good thing about madness
Is you never know you've reached
Across sanity's border
Because your mind's now on the beach
I hope that I'm not crazy
It wouldn't be much fun
To not know all the voices
Are really me...the only one!

Do you know those Christmas Letters?
The one's that people love to send
The one's that make the family
Just feel like they're a friend

We get them every Christmas
And we cringe when they arrive
They make me want to  have a few
And go and drink and drive

I'd sooner jump off of a cliff
Than send these letters to
My friends and yes, my family
I hope that you would too

I don't care if you planted mums
or if the cat gave birth in May
You can phone if it's important
If you've got something good to say

I don't need to read a journal
Of every thing you did last year
If I really truly counted
You'd phone me up so I could hear

I like a card at Christmas time
But the letters have to end
don't even send them by e-post
Think twice and don't hit send

Next year I may send one myself
Something I've not done before
It's gonna be a long one
It will start in sixty four

So, please, although I love you
and I want you in my life
Don't send me Christmas journals
They're too heavy for my wife!!!

Which way are you going?
What will you become?
Am I doing right by you?
Are you the right one?
Is there life beyond where we
Live and laugh and love?
Will you still be here for me
when pushing turns to shove?

Life's questions all need answers
And the answers can be found
You have to do some searching though
they come with out a sound
I've looked in spots
And found just what
I was searching for
The answers to life's questions
Are just beyond the door

Will I? Should I? Could I?
Is this just what I should do?
What would my life be?
If I wasn't here with you
Questions all around the place
Some answered, some are not
you might find some more answers
Once you've lost what you have got

I've looked in half filled bottles
The answers aren't in there
I thought they were when I dove in
But, the bottle didn't care
The answers to the questions posed
Are out there, just go look
Life is for the living
The answers won't be in a book
Life is for the living
Now ....get out there and look

When I look at you
you look past me
I look at you
You look away
I broke your trust
But I am trying
I am waiting
For the day

I broke a vow
I stand repentant
I love you more
Than you could know
For all the days
I will be waiting
I'll earn your trust
I love you so

It tore me up to keep the secret
I knew that you would find out in the end
I know it takes two folks to tango
And now I've lost a lover and a friend

A few quick drinks
And I was ******'
The devil took my
mind away
I've said I'm sorry
to you darlin'
I just don't know
what more to say

I look at you
And you look past me
I'll stay until
you see me here
I did wrong
And I am paying
I only wish
That you would hear

It tore me up to keep the secret
I knew that you would find out in the end
I know it takes two folks to tango
And now I've lost a lover and a friend

The crowd is loudly cheering
For that is what crowds do
But, I only hear my heartbeat
For now, it's just us two

There's clowns in the arena
There's four barrels where they hide
But, it's me who faces danger
It's me that has to ride

They joke about the battle
They tell tales of my ex-wife
How I said "I did your sister"
Then I held on for my life

The truth is much more dangerous
The truth is what I know
The truth is underneath me
The truth is set to go

My boots are on the sideboards
Beneath me is the bull
A hurricane in waiting
With his anger set on full

The crowd still cheering loudly
I lower myself down
the rope around my right hand
Eight seconds to the crown

I'm not here to fight him
Just to hold on and be one
He'll try his best to throw me
I'm the bullet, he's the gun

I try to match his breathing
Slow mine down just like my heart
In a heartbeat it is over
But, right now, I'm set to start

I signal that I'm ready
It takes forever, but, it's quick
I now hear both our heartbeats
While I am waiting for the click....

I drove all night
To get to you
Because I heard you cry

I only stopped
but once or twice
to get to where you lie

I heard my name inside my head
Your voice kept crying out
I hit the road directly
Then, I quickly started out

I drove all night
To be with you
Because I heard my name

I drove for
fourteen hours
And I know that you'd do the same

The highway was deserted
Except for skid marks and the lines
I kept focusing on darkness
I kept watching all the signs

I drove all night
To be home here
Because you called for me

I drove on through
sixteen states at least
For your sweet face to see

I drove, because I love you
And I know you want me here
But, next time you call my name again
Make sure that I am near!!!!

Listen to me and I'm sure you'll see
That because of the brave
We all live free

Freedom to choose what we will be
Because of the brave
We all live free

I pledge my alliegence
I honor my flag
I honor my country
My support will not drag

We whine about government
We whine about crime
We whine about taxes
We whine about time

The freedom to choose
Of how life will be
Is because of the brave
That we all live free

We live life as free men
and women as well
For if we did not have freedom
Then we'd be in hell

We complain to the masses
Because that is our right
We enjoy that freedom
Because of the ones who did fight

They sacrificed all
So our ideals we'd save
We're the land of the free
Because of the brave

I've never ever been to war
Never won a playoff game
But, I battle more than you will know
I'm a soldier just the same

I can't tell you I love you
It's just a thing I can not do
But, believe me, If I could babe
I would tell you that it's true

I am fighting for existence
I fight new battles every day
I am stuck inside my body
With out a voice for me to say
My mind is here within me
It's the rest that doesn't go
Please remember me a hero
When it's time to let me go

I can not throw a football
Drive a car or run
I can not hold a child
But, I still can feel the sun

I can't hold you like I used to
But, I can hold you in my heart
I'm still inside here living
Don't put the horse before the cart

I am fighting for existence
I fight new battles every day
I am stuck inside my body
With out a voice for me to say
My mind is here within me
It's the rest that doesn't go
Please remember me a hero
When it's time to let me go



I love you more than ever
You are my love, forever more
You know the meaning of each smile
You own my breath and more

I love you now and always
Although I can not tell you so
Remember me a hero
When it is my time to go

I am fighting for existence
I fight new battles every day
I am stuck inside my body
With out a voice for me to say
My mind is here within me
It's the rest that doesn't go
Please remember me a hero
When it's time to let me go

A sink of ***** dishes
Empty bottles on the floor
Fly strips black with corpses
And a broken down screen door

Glasses, full and empty
cigarettes drowned in stale beer
I look around, then I wonder
How the hell did I get here?

I'm Somewhere going nowhere
Or that's the way it seems
A place  you couldn't make up in your dreams
I'm somewhere going nowhere
At least that's how it seems
I'm in a place you couldn't make up in your dreams

Tobacco in the sunshine
Corn reaching for the sky
Vices grown of beauty
You couldn't write this if you tried

I'm hooked on beauty's evil
I live on the dark side
I've the devil in the sidecar
And this is how I ride

I'm Somewhere going nowhere
Or that's the way it seems
A place  you couldn't make up in your dreams
I'm somewhere going nowhere
At least that's how it seems
I'm in a place you couldn't make up in your dreams

I look into the future
And I just see the past
The tunnel now is narrow
The time just goes so fast

My yesterday's are many
Too many to be sure
Ten thousand pounds of ashes
Dropped and stamped into the floor

I'm Somewhere going nowhere
Or that's the way it seems
A place  you couldn't make up in your dreams
I'm somewhere going nowhere
At least that's how it seems
I'm in a place you couldn't make up in your dreams

I'm Somewhere going nowhere
but, hell it could be worse
I think nowhere going somewhere
could be worse
yeah, maybe
Nowhere going somewhere could be worse

We all have heard the stories
Of spirit ships and ghosts
That sail upon the oceans
And up along the coasts

This tale is a whopper
And I'll not forget the day
So as God is my witness
Listen now, to what I say

We were sitting in the tavern
Telling tales of days of old
When the door, it burst right open
And Bill came running from the cold

His face as white as ever
Like he just had seen a ghost
When we told him that we thought this
He said " I did, just up the coast"

We laughed and ordered whiskey
To warm us up inside
"I did, by gum, I saw it"
"I saw the Nell McBride"

"There's no way that you saw that boat"
"It's been sunk a hundred years"
"A hundred sixty" said a voice
As we tended to our beers

"The Nell McBride was lost boys"
"Late eighteen  and fifty nine"
"You didn't see her Billy"
"She's sunk down in the brine"

" I did" said Bill , "I saw her"
"I was standing  on up the beach"
"She came out of the clouds there"
"Aw, Bill... cut back on the screech"

"I haven't had a drop today"
"And you know, I don't tell lies"
"I saw the Captain up on deck"
"I looked right in his eyes'

The wind was really howling
We all huddled round the fire
As far fetched as the story was
Old Bill, he was no liar

"The Nell McBride was lost at sea"
"All 14 men were drowned"
"The ship went to the bottom"
"And no bodies were found"

The barkeep chirped "We have ghosts here"
"I have seen a few"
"With all those lost at sea near here"
"I believe in them, don't you?"

We laughed at him and Billy
Ghosts, nope, dead is dead
Bill just sat there shaking
He believed the words he'd said

Now, me, I was a pup then
Just a minnow if you please
But, I sat and felt my hair rise up
I'd not heard of ghosts like these

"The last time the Nell McBride"
"Was seen was in ought four"
"Old Johnson, at the light house"
"Said he saw that ship and more"

"They proved Old Johnson crazy"
"All alone out with the light"
"Was just the moon a playing"
"There was nothing there that night"

Another man chimed in then
"Old Johnson was no loon"
"His diary says he say that ship"
"'Twas no trick of the moon"

"Okay then boys, tomorrow"
"We'll meet here and head on out"
"We'll see the ghost out sailing"
"Or we'll see that she is now't"

The wind was really whipping
It was getting louder as they sat
Nobody was heading home
They were safer where they sat

"Ghost ships sail the waters"
"I believe to warn us still"
"I believe The Nell is out there"
"I believe in our boy Bill"

"There's tales of ships and mermaids"
"There's been sighting of great whales"
"Their stories boy's just stories"
"They ain't nothing more than tales"

At this the wind was screaming
Like a wail now or a scream
My hair was up directly
This could only be a dream

"I remember when Mike Watson"
"Said he saw that woman all in black"
"Waiting on her rooftop"
"For her husband to come back"

"I remember that as well" said Bill
"God, old Mike he loved to talk"
"He saw her on the roof in black"
"On the iron widows walk"

So, tomorrow it was settled
We would meet and hit the coast
Watching for the Nell McBride
Waiting for the ghost

"Boys, we never made it"
"We don't talk about that night"
"See, Billy boy, he left us there"
"And he disappeared from sight"

"Turns out Billy Boyle"
"Drowned early in the day"
"Was it his ghost come calling"
"It is not for us to say"

"Bill Boyle washed ashore you see"
"About two...yep he was dead"
"So just was it that came to us"
"And said the things he said"

"There's ghosts out on the water"
"Like the ghostly  Nell McBride"
"I swear and cross my heart now"
"But, boys...you must decide"

the galumphers book


Every child knows there's monsters
Hiding in the closet and under the bed
But, I have a secret each child should know
And it's about a Galumpher instead....

Galumphers are watchers
They help keep the peace
They help keep the monsters in line

Three eyes watch the closet,
Three on the monster
And three more...did I mention they've nine?

Galumphers aren't dangerous
They live under the bed
They eat socks and the occasional mouse

But, the one thing that's certain
With a Galumpher, well fed
Closet monsters won't stay in your house


If you believe in those monsters
You'll believe in these too
They're as real as the monsters you fear

Just remember Galumphers
Eat the mice and your socks
With Galumphers , the monsters aren't near

I've never seen a Galumpher
But I know they are  real
I know this, because I once was a kid

My dad checked my closet
Before he'd turn out my light
That's where the bad monsters  hid

One night  he told me
Of the Galumphers that watched
With their 5 ears and nine eyes to see

And as my socks went missing
And the mice disappeared
The Galumpher was a new friend to me

Should you meet a Galumpher
Out from under the bed
Just smile and pretend not to see

For he's probably out
To get the dust bunnies off
And to go and have a long ***.

A group of Galumphers
Rarely is found
Say you've seen them and folks say "harrumph"

But just so you know
If you see three or four
A Galumpher group is called a clumph

A Galumpher is quiet
He keeps out of sight
He's protective and knows what to do

They keep children safe
Keeping monsters away
Eating one sock of which you have two

Some might be orange
While others are blue
You don't know what color they'll be

But, they stay in the darkness
There under your bed
So, you don't know what color you'll see

Galumphers aren't scary
They might make you jump
If you see one, it may scare them too

Just smile and nod
And lie down and sleep
Let the Galumpher do what he must do

(spoken)
ready, set...here we go
time to start another show
Where we'll go...I do not know
God, I love to feel this buzz

The lights are on and I'm
Down to my last dime
I know that is time
To change direction

But, standing here on stage
Get's my blood hot and enraged
I'm not set to turn the page
And move along

I stand up here and sing my songs for you
I know that this is what I's born to do
I'll sing until this whole **** night is through
And then I'll have a drink and start again

My life is making music
I love playing for the crowds
I love to see them dancing
I love to have it loud
My world extends beyond me
From the left side to the right
As long as I've got music
I can stay and sing all night

It was up in Minnesota
or was it South Dakota
It doesn't matter
we know how the story starts

It's friday, time to party
Some girl comes in dressed all tarty
With a body
That could break a thousand hearts

There's gonna be a storm tonight
A cat fight's on the way
You just hold on when it all starts up
And then you clear the way
You just know it's gonna happen
Something bad is in the air
Just grab your beer and hold it
Just watch the nails and flying hair

All the eyes were on her
You knew she was a goner
You could feel the tension
And hear the nails extract

In jeans of lace and denim
With perfect slits cut  in 'em
You knew that she was hunting
that's a fact

There's gonna be a storm tonight
A cat fight's on the way
You just hold on when it all starts up
And then you clear the way
You just know it's gonna happen
Something bad is in the air
Just grab your beer and hold it
Just watch the nails and flying hair

The band played loud and raucus
As the bar's all female caucus
Watched her close
As she went toward the bar

You could tell that this girl's reason
Was to hunt the men in season
And she set to take
the first one to her car

There's gonna be a storm tonight
A cat fight's on the way
You just hold on when it all starts up
And then you clear the way
You just know it's gonna happen
Something bad is in the air
Just grab your beer and hold it
Just watch the nails and flying hair

when the crowd split like the Nile
And there standing with a smile
was the girl of the
man this girl had claimed

Well, the bottles started flying
And though the bouncers all were trying
The fight broke out
Between the two I named

There's gonna be a storm tonight
A cat fight's on the way
You just hold on when it all starts up
And then you clear the way
You just know it's gonna happen
Something bad is in the air
Just grab your beer and hold it
Just watch the nails and flying hair

The cops broke up the rumble
Amid the debris and the crumble
Our combatants were
off to jail that night

Tomorrow they would be found
Back and out of impound
At another bar
And in another fight

So, It may be Minnesota
or down in South Dakota
But, no one cares
We all know how the game is played

So, when you feel a storm brew
And you know it won't involve you
Grab your beer
And watch...your night is made.

I think of people, gone now
And my eyes well up with tears
Memories come flooding out
As I time trip through the years

A New Years eve, a movie night
A Christmas Night with snow
A Birthday with a football game
And a car that wouldn't go

No music or a photograph
Nor a book or an old smell
Brought these pictures to my mind
but, the teardrops they just fell

People, friends and family
Some are here but many not
I don't know what woke these images
It may have been a random thought

Another year is almost done
More memories have gone by
I can't think of these things normally
But, today...I need not try

No triggers, set my mind aflame
But there's a sensory projection
All random, flowing freely through
My mind with no direction

It's better uncontrolled, I think
Seeing snippets of my history
I don't know what will come up next
It's a mental mind scape mystery

My eyes are full, my sleeve is wet
The tears are flowing hard
As I think of people who loved me
And I loved just as hard

I'm glad there was no trigger
And I went into this mind slip
I'm going to have a drink now
And toast my mental trip

It doesn't happen often
I can't explain it when it does
But, I am glad I lived this life of mine
And that it still gives me a buzz.

It's nice to know that people
are people .... all the same
They aren't known by a colour
They're just people...all the same
It used to be that people
Were coloured...that's not right
Chinese folks were yellow
And I was known as white
A man born in Africa
Was black...and that was it
Indians were known as red
That colour doesn't fit
But now...people are people
I think it's great ...don't you?
But I cannot help but wonder
Why is it I feel blue?

Constantly in motion
Crafting a commotion
A sign of scared devotion
Of a love you can not lose

Lightning you must grab
Before you end up on a slab
You just have to take a stab
At the love you can not lose

Keep the butterflies in check
They'll want to leave and they will try
ou both have got to have them
Or what you have will die
Let them live forever
If you have them don't ask why
Keep the butterflies in motion
Don't let them settle, let them fly

A nervous situation
That causes consternation
Makes your mind go on vacation
Because of a love you can not lose

You both feel it together
Regardless of the weather
That is weightless as a feather
But, it's a love you can not lose


Keep the butterflies in check
They'll want to leave and they will try
You both have got to have them
Or what you have will die
Let them live forever
If you have them don't ask why
Keep the butterflies in motion
Don't let them settle, let them fly

Alarm didn't ring
It's started to rain
Car wouldn't start
I was late for the train

Overloaded at work
And all I can say
Is, I should have stayed home
I'm having a day

I'm having a day
Best stay out of my way
Nothing's gone right
And I'm having a day

Meeting at two
I'm nowhere near set
All that I've got
Is all that they'll get

Train delayed home
But I'm on my way
Dinner's on late
I'm having a day

I'm having a day
Best stay out of my way
Nothing's gone right
And I'm having a day

Looked at the bills
Needed a drink
Sent the kids off to bed
Dropped my glass in the sink

Wish I could run
But, I can't so I stay
I'm thinking of a way out
Cause' I'm having a day


I'm having a day
Best stay out of my way
Nothing's gone right
And I'm having a day

Woke up late this morning
Wish the pain would pass
Cigarettes in the ashtray
lipstick on the glass

What in god's name happened
what did I do last night
Everything is fuzzy
It hurts to see the light

Hold that thought, I'll be right back
That's the last thing that I said
Now, here I am next morning
Feeling half past dead
Hold that thought, were my last words
From there ....I just don't know
Someone brought me home here
But, someone...I don't know

Cigarettes and lipstick
The pairing makes me think
A half a pack of winstons
And a nearly empty drink

I   am not a smoker
I  smoke what's close at hand
Right now, I'm feeling sea sick
And I'm still here on dry land

Hold that thought, I'll be right back
That's the last thing that I said
Now, here I am next morning
Feeling half past dead
Hold that thought, were my last words
From there ....I just don't know
Someone brought me home here
But, someone...I don't know

I'm gonna take a shower
Maybe that will help my head
I just don't know what happened
Or who brought me home to bed

A glass with lipstick on it
My cigarettes or not
The last thing I remember
is saying Hold That Thought

Hold that thought, I'll be right back
That's the last thing that I said
Now, here I am next morning
Feeling half past dead
Hold that thought, were my last words
From there ....I just don't know
Someone brought me home here
But, someone...I don't know

I remember watching
Back in 1963
A Presidential funeral
There on my tv

My son watched his son
And he saw me cry
Then my son looked up and said
"Why did he have to die?"

Five years passed, a Memphis death
Was felt throughout the land
My son watched this and said to me
"I do not understand"

I looked at him, looked at the ground
And looked high into the sky
My son, said "Dad please tell me?"
"Why did he have to die?"

Again that summer, sixty eight
We stood along the track
We watched the train go past us
We knew he wasn't coming back

My son, a little older
watched as I tried not to cry
He said "it's ok to feel that dad"
"Why did he have to die?"

Years went by and he grew up
Got married moved away
I remember sitting watching
On that warm September day

Two Towers tumbled to the ground
My heart broke, and I cried
My son, went in to save them
"Why did he have to die?"

I'll never get an answer
Till the angel's song is sung
"Why did he have to die?" I'll ask
Why do the good die young?

Six strings stagnant
Something's wrong
And then my fingers
come along
Revealing hidden
music....songs

Notes burst forth
From silent strings
The air is full
The air...it sings
Smiling, joyous
Love it brings

Six strings loudly
Emotions pour
This is what
A guitar is for
Making music
and l'amour

Fingers strumming
plucking, too
Tell me what
It means to you
To hear the music
Fresh....anew

Six strings silent
Once again
The song is over
But, it's not the end
Six strings waiting
...until then....

A copper, crimson canopy
Backlit by the sun
Millions of transluscent leaves
Holding on for dear life
To ancient, old tributaries
Branches to another time
Feeding the life into the cover
Each branch reaching for the fall sun
Each leaf struggling to hold on
A battle of wills
To avoid the inevitable fall
And await the winter solstice
So far, the tree is winning
It's reds and browns showing their strength
Against the might of time
Who will win?
Sun, Tree, Leaves or time?

Why do people die?
Why do I get cold?
What makes air air?
Why do we get old?
My child asks these questions
And I don't want to look dumb
So, being a good father
I say..."Go and ask your mom"

How many is infinity?
How can birds fly?
Where do babies come from?
Why do people lie?
Sometimes I can tell them things
That I know they might believe
I don't do it all the time though
I just do it so they'll leave

Questions from the children
Make me seem quite dumb
I always tell them half truths
Then I send them to their mom
She tells them she's busy
And they come back to see me
I guess we'll learn together
I hope they can teach me

Why are clouds so puffy?
Why is water wet?
What's a kit and caboodle?
How do you place a bet?
I love it when they ask me
It shows they want to know
Exactly why things happen
And what makes most things go

What is the moon made of?
Is it really cheese?
I get questions like this daily
Why do people sneeze?
There's one that I can't answer
My daughter wants to know
When I make my morning toast
Where does my bread slice go?

Questions from the children
Make me seem quite dumb
I always tell them half truths
Then I send them to their mom
She tells them she's busy
And they come back to see me
I guess we'll learn together
I hope they can teach me