Nails stained yellow from nicotine's hello
hair white and so thin, whatever stlli grows
skin wearing clothes suited for an old fellow
without a  friend  in the world nor a home

Arm flesh all cracking from medicine thinning
blood til that blood leaks from tiniest of cuts
Tethered to madness, heavy-hearted soldier
fighting a war that's already been lost

Age fallen  on him  like dog years times seven
no hope of rising from his wheeled seat
no pride left in him, weeps at all hours
and does not care either way now who sees

I come around now, each time embarrassed
at my own lack of concern for his needs
sadly however, he's mostly a stranger
whom I will visit when moved by pity

I wish to God things were different between us
that I could say  'I love you' earnestly
each time I tell him, it's only to spare him
the pain of his heart's  shattered billionth piece

You'll be fine, this I know
that wherever you may go
there'll be stars you can count
there will be hands you can hold
I just wish for a time
we could walk side by side
gazing up at the sky
leaving sorrows far behind

When there's weakness in your bones
from such hurt this world inflicted
and your spirit cries at night
for the beauty that is gone
think of nothing dear but God
and what your heart knows of freedom
till the radiance of heaven
grants it's tender kiss of faith

I can't promise paradise
ready-made without a fight
but I want to let you know
that I'd hold you until daylight
when the newness of tomorrow
will make sure you're celebrating
standing miles away from sadness
knowing peace and joy at last

Love is yours
It has ever been I'm sure
It calls you by name.
Night and day, night and day.
To come in from the rain.
To make it plain and clear,
that love is yours.
It has ever been my dear.

Don't believe the girl when she tells you she went
against her better nature and did you wrong.
Don't believe her when she promises the world.
She will never deliver. Nobody's that strong.

*** she would take you out to sea.
And drown you there in make believe.
And no one here can be set free
by imaginary love.

Don't believe the guy when he buys you the ring,
in fair exchange for your heart strings.
There's nothing in his offering,
you're not really paying for.

*** though he takes you to the moon,
and brings the stars clear into view;
the oxygen runs out too soon,
with imaginary love.

patience is waiting for nothing
lifetimes of emptiness pass
impatience fueled by desire and need
lashes at each passing chance

strength strikes the anvil and sparks fly
sword's crafted well, heads will roll
weakness just cowers in corners
it's decapitation's foretold

wisdom takes comfort in finding
a little more patience each day
to deal with disastrous pinings
of foolish men after their ways

beauty's the strength of a lover
in silence attracting her mate
ugliness with love won't bother
there's nothing but bones on her plate

In public she'd walk, only doing her worst
people cracked jokes, I repaired her thirst
but she'd get kicked out, for there was little doubt
she was some sort of witch whom herself had been cursed

her face was a mess, painted fiery red
she was haggard and wasted, seemingly dead
I wondered what tragedy had made her that way
when she told me I'd best watch my head

from that tired place I did take my leave
the three years I'd been there held little for me
most days I would finish my shift feeling grieved
by the ominous words that she spoke to me

Shirley, you strange soul, your darkness was deep
your shadow was the only friend that you'd keep
I wonder what mad tales about you were spun
from your own reflection in mirrors you'd run

In the noon sun of this wasteland
my canteen's gone, I am fading
one more dune crossed, vultures circling
up above me they are waiting
what's before me? is it truly
an oasis? I am praying
that I'll be saved
from collapsing
into blackness
evermore

But my hopes die
mirage, I cry
my parched body finally falls
before the end
strong winds blow
and I am hit by sandstorm walls
could this just be some delusion?
do I hear my angel call?
or is heaven all well-wishing
nothing beyond here at all.?

You know I'm running
'*** I'm unwanted
I am numbered
amongst the dead
clearly haunted
like some mansion
filled with prized possessions
but so full of dread

and yes I'm tired
of being wired
sitting in on conversations
for evidence
to give an account
in God's courthouse
on the day I leave this Earth
to face my judgement