I climbed the mountain where wild flowers grew
searching for the cure of gold

It was a rare plant I sought there to find
for my sis lay sick at home

Curative powers which it did contain
would restore Anne's health for sure

The wind whipped around as I did ascend
defiantly I endured

Am I the lost coin,
the lost sheep,
the prodigal returning,
the road in need of straightening,
the valley to be raised?

Or am I just dross
to come off
the gold and silver polished,
the ruin to demolish,
the chaff that blows away?

Baby's got wings, she's a dragonfly
claims to have dome things nobody tries
says she likes magic and movies on crime
I'm grateful she isn't mine

Last time I saw her was at the club
said she had gone there to mix it up
with the fine gentlemen her figure caught
she asked me to not interrupt

So I will leave her alone
she'd tear the flesh from off my bones
my skeleton would be a trophy she'd toss
into the gutter, forever lost

One day she'll  fall from her sky
to her every guy's just a meal, just a fly
I know when I'm gone, she wont bother to cry
but her heart of stone will die

I'm taking my heart away from you
you never care for it like you should
I'm never going back to your house blue
not even if I'm in your neighborhood

I hope someday soon your face will leave
through the back of my mind or the top of my head
***' there's one thing here that fills us with dread
it's just a little thing, a little thing called pain

wherever you are, wherever that may be
is so very far, too far from me
still I hope you shine forever free
and live the kind of life God meant for you to lead

it's early to rise and late to dream again
so long till we fly far from this place
***' there's one thing here that drives us insane
it's just a little thing, a little thing called pain

I'm taking my heart away from you
***' I could be someone you never knew
and it's likely that we'd never make it through
'*** you're somebody whom I could not get to

it's a season for this, a time to forget
that we even kissed and now just regret
that we ever met but could not sustain
the love we saved for this little thing called pain

What's my story, is it only
self-contrived, confused, or jinxed
sordid, boring, old man snoring
never knowing where he fits ?

I am lost at rainbow's end here
trying to channel Presley s ghost
hips he shook and all the girls swooned
he's the one they wanted most

But I cannot dance so freely
and I do not have the looks
to make them all want to know me
write my name down in their books

sold a lie and yeah, I bought it
I just wanted to believe
happiness is being applauded
Vanity of vanities

For the time and strength I wasted
cold regret now grips and shakes me
all the while I couldn't see
just myself is all I'd be

Door is open, time to step out
see what real life's all about
Forget dead dreams and their fictions
for my vision they did cloud

Now I don't seek fame or fortune
nor things far too grand for me
only love can fix distortions
in my personality

The abstract fool craves ridicule
succeeds through failure, skipping school
lets all things drop to hit their mark;
the bottom of the pool

That stagnant pool where cruelty drowns
all meddlers sinking in its depths
they searched for vain-glory therein
and took their final breath

The concrete wise man stands alone
he never forgets what he's shown
of life and death, to him they're games
controlled by love enthroned

Enthroned on the seat of his heart
which daily fights to learn the art
of taking in and letting go
and the appropriate time for both

In Cana of Galilee, a wedding took place
Jesus and His men were there
they had been invited to come and partake
of that surely joyous affair

There was dancing and singing, plenty of drinking
and soon all the wine had run out
commotion and clamor occurred in the kitchen,
the servants all stammered about

Finding their boss, they gave him the bad news
Sir, we have just now run dry
fearing the loss of his good reputation,
he quickly pulled Mary aside

The poor man gave her the report of their shortage
and so soon the guests would all know
not wishing for their disappointment and sadness,
she soon figured out what to do

Running to Jesus, she humbly expressed this
concern that they had no more wine
He replied with kindness, " It isn't my time yet.
What is this between you and I? "

She went to the servants, said do what He tells you
and they were all simply obliged
Jesus gave orders to fill jars with water
to their brims and they all complied

They drew some out then, it had turned sweet and red,
a vintage from heaven indeed
His disciples saw this, and certainly dumb-founded
their faith in Jesus increased.

"Go now and take some to the banquet' s master",
the Lord said, the servants obeyed
when the man tasted the blessed wine, he said,
' the choicest 'til the end was saved

'You need not trouble yourself anymore,
our daughter is dead not asleep.
I'm sorry You came at such a late hour,
and for all the people who scream
Insults at your name, oh Lord,
doubting that You love them so.
But we are shutting our doors to mourn.
There's nothing more to do.'

'Fear not, have faith, and you will see
the mighty power of God.
I say to you oh little girl,
it's time to rise, wake up.
Hold your child madam and sir.
Give her something to eat.
Don't ever dread death's curse, my friends.
It's just a little sleep.'

Knee-deep water
knee-high socks
I hope it doesn't rise much higher

waist-high water
what a shock
all meteorologists are liars

They said it wouldn't rain
but then the flood came
and swept my cabin away

Now I'm up to my neck
but oh what the heck
I'm alive so I need not complain

I'm afloat on a branch
so I give thanks
to God above whom nature obeys

And though death surrounds me
the river can't drown me
if He says it's not meant to be

All those unlucky folks
who lost more than their homes
when the ultimate price they paid

Are singing in heaven
with their saintly brethren
if to that same God they prayed

Life is a mist
and man's time is short
on Earth where all is subject to change

And he's seemingly sport
for a non-gentle sort
of a natural world so strange

I'm ready to depart for greener pastures
I'm all choked up by thoughts of leaving you
but honey, my life's story's no disaster
my hopes of paradise are coming true

One final farewell kiss my dearest darling
is my last wish before I step on through
that cold and painful doorway of my parting
for my rent earthly tent no more will do

I guess I'll see you later on my love
when time is gone forever and no longer interrupts
our dreams and how we make them real, forever in our hearts
I guess I'll see you later on my love

What's that I'm hearing now my sweetest angel?
above and far beyond there's love enthroned
you press your head against my chest, I exhale
release the ghost to find my savior's home

I know sometimes you'll mourn me in my passing
and grief will sure assail you with its tears
you'll cry awhile but I know love that lastly,
you'll be with me again so don't you fear

I know I'll see you later on, I promise
to walk those golden streets, your hand in mine
it will eternally then be a party
I'll see you later on when you arrive

Angry bull in a china shop
out of fuel near the pit stop
falling rain on dead crops
that's the human mark

Disobedient to his maker
fairground ticket-taker
for rides that end when circuit breakers
fire off and spark

Needing a new heart, seeking a hand
another rendition of head in the sand
no flesh and blood helper can make me to stand
and walk upright and true
yet I still call for you...

To bring to me my medicine
when gospel fails anew
to ease my fearful lightning storms
of nightmares and half truths...
that have me crying for proof
desolate through and through

I fit just fine and mix it up,
blend in with anyone
don't need a name, my age is old,
I've been around some

I'm capable of joy and mirth
to you what is it worth?
I tend to laugh when others do,
a countenance well-rehearsed

I turn puke-green when sickness strikes
and yellow in the sun
ashen grey when death arrives
I'm a chameleon

People share their grief for fun
and shed tears for relief
offer up condolences
the process isn't brief

Me, I'm always in a hurry
to exit these scenes
I would apologize if they
were not so deserving

Scaly hide and shifty-eyed
I'm nervous when alone
I like it when there's folks around
who's hearts I make my own

I cannot touch the ones that love
and trust providence still,
I make most men to lose their minds
and act upon my will

I roam the whole world to and fro
and won't stop 'til I'm done
devouring the empty souls
of harlots and their sons

Grey cat beams brightly,
his claws are out
black birds don't notice
the beast is around
then sensing danger,
they fly heading south
save for a little one,
weighing not an ounce

The sky above's painted
in pictures by clouds
so white and so fluffy
not weighing an ounce
until black birds fill them
with tears to come down
on top of the head
of the one who did pounce

Is the girl you're with a good lover?
Is she someone really fine?
Or do you long for another?
Have you somebody else in mind?
Maybe your muse is beside you.
Or it could be you left her behind.
Perhaps you have still left to find her
to open up doors in your heart and mind.

Where beauty reigns and lives
to give you vision true,
so that you'll see the meaning of love
and what it can do.
An angel waits for you.

But it's all just a waste of time
if you only sing lullabies;
if you fall asleep beside a pretty doll
to whom you are not inclined
to bare your soul to in the night
when the world you share seems dark;
when you only hold her for temporal comfort
so your pain won't seem too stark.
Let her go. Set free your hearts.
Search for love elsewhere. Depart.

Her ivory face resplendent in the light of my cold room
her painted lips are glistening with words she speaks too soon
they carry sudden waves of mystery deep into my heart
and fill my mind with worlds of question marks

What do I tell her?
What can I say?
What am I feeling?
Is it the same?
same as her passion
she gives to me,
wholly and freely,
is it to be?

I take her in my arms, then we make love and fall asleep
before the sunrise I wake up, and like a baby weep
she turns to me and says, "My dear, what's wrong? What did you dream?"
I tell her that I love her as she melts and starts to beam

"I dreamt that you were wearing a mask which I could not remove.
You said that it was for the best to keep hidden from view.
That your's was just a sorry state that I could not improve.
A girl in love with saying she's in love but so untrue."

"No ***, you're wrong. Our love is strong"
She kisses my lips. "To me you belong.
We are forever, not to dissolve.
Equals in passion. Two souls involved.
Involved in the process of being best friends.
So hold me and keep me and know me again.'

What would intrigue me?
oh just a fig leaf
worn impolitely
by maiden fair

What would attract me?
oh now let me see
perhaps that same leaf
tossed in the air

What would induce me
to cross the vast sea
and battle hordes
in castles and lairs?

What would ****** me
if not what she seeks,
rubies and diamonds
for her to wear?

What would be fair?,
I cannot stop her
with all her avarice
thirsting for more

What would she care
about what's proper,
nor if this old fool
should die at war?

What would consume
my heart with such madness,
to think I could
satisfy all her lust?

What force could exhume
my soul from the sadness
in which my corpse lies now
buried in dust?

I'm tense, intense
the forest is dense
but through those dark trees
I spy with my lens
the oceans are warming,
truly condensed
tired of roaring
and foaming with strength

For power is waning
all things grow tired
where lie the signposts
of my old desires?
cold in the embers
of my former fires
from conquests extinguished
and joys all expired

Oh see now, I'm dying
how melodramatic
I forgot to live
in my time of despair
"You fool!", cries the phoenix
rising from ashes
death's but a rumor
though no one is spared

So nevertheless,
through weary travails
there's still a bright spark
to lift countenance high
when bruised back is broken,
mortality choking
the life from my body,
I'll reach for the sky

Go inform the prisoners
this is their last day
soon they will be rounded up
tell them all to pray
idle words of comfort
will not profit them
when their sandalled footsteps,
to the sands ascend

Long have they awaited
for their hour to call
heaven's hosts to lend wings
when their bodies fall
see the chains they're dragging
and their tattered rags
the fools rejoice to wear them
for the Son of Man

The convicts are paraded
the audience can see
that their foolish ideas,
impossible beliefs
are scoffed at by Nero
and all of Rome indeed
gods and men are laughing
at these martyrs to be

They won't beg for mercy
the emperor knows well
they won't deny their God and King
who's name they lastly yell
two hundred men and women
new converts to the way
were executed just last week
not one renounced their faith

Many more will go today
down to the dust and grave
in their pens the lions wait
for blood they salivate
set loose, the beasts lunge at their prey
who fall praising His name
"long live Jesus!", they cry out
before they're mauled and maimed

Yes many more are going today
to St.Peter they're drawn
their spirits live in freedom now
the light of heaven's dawn
for as the screams all fade away
while evil thinks it's won
out of the ****** colliseum
God's own rise up in song

Wind chimes...
caught in a breeze,
caught in a gale,
calling a tease.
You think there's someone there.
Someone at the door.
Somebody real that cares.
But just like before...
it's only those **** bells,
that mournfully tell,
through cobwebs and raindrops,
you're all by yourself.

It's only the wind chimes
playing tricks on your mind.
It's only the wind now.
It's only lost time.

He was found floating sideways on an early April morning..
Was buried in the backyard with no eulogy at all.
An alley cat did notice when the goldfish was interred.
He licked his claws and purred real soft, saliva on his jaws.

When the owner of the fish was finished undertaking,
his dear consoling mother called him in for lemonade.
That's when the feline, now quite hungry, sprang up into action.
He quickly jumped the six foot fence to hurriedly invade.

Lightning-fast claws dug the dirt that covered up the fish.
Dead and dry, delectable, the cat could not resist.
The orange tabby proceeded to scarf it down at last.
But something went horribly wrong and he began to gasp.

For air his lungs could not intake as he choked on his snack,
which once he'd proudly coveted, now wished he could retract.
In his mark to not be seen by any human eyes,
he forgot one basic rule to always dining fine.
Chew before you swallow food of any Earthly form.
Before collapsing fatally, he knew he'd not be mourned.

You are succulent and round
you're the hare and I'm the hound
rumors have been circling 'round
that you've put on extra pounds

And my table now is set
there's a place reserved for one
you've got room to roam and run
I'm the one who holds the gun

Napkins, forks, and knives are out
I'll scoop some bites right on in
to my watering mouth a treat
soon well done you'll be indeed

Shiny utensils I own
separate the meat from bones
you're a veritable feast
thank you for the grub, bunny

Someday I may just trade
my mind in for a *****
a fool's crusade I'll undertake,
a dragon shall I slay

And with it's scaly hide,
I'll fashion boots so fine
the nobles shall tremble with fear
whenever I walk by

Outside the city gates
my enemies shall quake
their ranks I'll decimate
their heads shall sit on pikes

Of women, gold, and ale
I will then take my pick
the choicest and the best
to hell with all the rest

My years shall be so kind
with scores of concubines
my darling wife and queen
shall bear me children five

George, Ringo,, John, and Paul
I will give names to all
the last one I'll detest
him Elton shall I call

And when my kingdom's crumbling
and minstrels sing sad tales
I'll slay some other stupid beast
then gladly drink my ale

Hatchling...
breaks through the shell
watching...
sun bathe his world
in bright yellow hues he is unaccustomed to
hatchling...
lost in the blue

Catching...
cold morning rain
scratching...
his head to gain
a clue as to what this phenomena means
hatchling...
new on the scene

Leaving...
nest far behind
weaving...
broken he finds
sweet mother slain by the jaws of the night
grieving...
caught up in fright

Hiding...
in the underbrush
trying...
to be still and hushed
so he won't fall victim to foxes who'd munch
on his poor bones if he became their lunch
hatchlings...
endangered bunch

Last night I had a dream
that a signal was beamed
from a satellite hovering in space
and the news was received
with joy and it was deemed
to be profitable to our race
the transmission relayed
altered everyone's brains
by suppressing all angry emotions
so the wars finally ceased
now mankind was at peace
free to offer their love and devotion
to their god in the sky
that had saved all their lives
technological wonderful master
but like miracle cures
that are not really pure
it soon met with such utter disaster
'*** the signal did crash
when an asteroid smashed,
the satellite obliterated
the great helper at last
was dethroned and outclassed
and the hope of the nations all faded
all the feelings of hatred,
the turmoil, and spite
that had been pushed down quickly resurfaced
with such terrible force
that the next day of course
every nuclear bomb served it's purpose

I met Suzanna by the well
she tried to crack my spine
it was her greed's desire thus
to take me on a ride
down into that same-said well
where water turns to wine
after we had drawn it up
and after we'd imbibed

She had her hair all covered up
beneath a prayer shawl
given to her by her mother
in the early fall
on a year of jubilee
where debts are not at all
forgiven by the old rabbis
who kiss the wailing wall

She was unrelenting
as we passionately kissed
her mother saw us in our throes,
she ran outside and hissed
on an abacus she counted
up to number six
before she reached the seventh bead
Suzanna broke my wrists

Then things all went from bad to worse
she threw me down the well
my sweetheart who was sweet no more
said, "You can go to hell!
Mother's right. All men are ****,
liars, theives, and bums.
You desired not to wed me
yet still ******* plum."

I blushed and remained hushed,
trying hard not to despair
I thought perhaps if I feigned death
those two monsters up there
would not wake up the elders
who would speedily declare
my guilt to everyone in town
and stone me with no care

I shivered in the cold water
it came up to my neck
I prayed that God would forgive Suz
and help me to forget
every instance of her falsehood
and betrayal's debt
a long time certainly would pass
before I loved again

I heard the footsteps of these witches
as they went away
how much time I spent inside the well
I cannot say
I heard Suzanna's voice trail off,
"I got that poor fool's ring.
It'll fetch a hefty price.
We'll sell it in the Spring."

Thin laughter echoed off the walls
of where they thought me dead
I felt only regret inside
for all I did expect
from this girl robber I so loved
in all sincerity
who will sell our engagement ring
next spring in jubilee.

Pardon me sir, may I have a drink
from the well where the honest man's thirst's quenched?

Pardon me ma'm, may I have some bread?
I sure hate to beg but I ain't been fed.

I'm only going places I ain't been before
and it's fine if I don't return anymore.
I am on a mission to contend with fate
till she yields her riches and loads my plate.

Pardon me boy, could you spare one gold?
Can't you see I'm shivering? The night is cold.

Pardon me girl, here's a little silver.
Could you warm me up and in my ear whisper?

I am only circling these same old miles.
How can you expect that I'd still smile?
A cynic when he hears that guilt is transferable,
grins ear to ear, all nice and culpable.

But love is the medicine of the sick.
It's beyond those hills about thirty clicks.
If it's taken in it will start to rid
your cells of the cancer your passions hid.

So let' us start walking till we drink from that fountain.
We yet desire mercy but our campfire's going out.

I love the stillness of the mornings with you
when there's nowhere we need to go to find elation's gift
when words you speak communicate nothing I need to hear
save for those lovely tones expressing your desire to kiss

You're in a room full of wicked servants
without a clue as to what you're doing here.
One of them tells you to go light the furnace.
And then he vanishes into thin air.

Your shaking hand holds a used book of matches.
You tear one out and then you strike up a flame.
At seeing this everyone starts laughing,
then suddenly convulse in terrible pain.

At your right hand a thousand have fallen.
No memory of them will remain on the Earth.
To your left countless mourners are crawling,
loudly cursing the hour of their birth

Then all at once you're in pitch black darkness.
The floor beneath you tilts, you start to slide.
Until finally you find you are falling.
There's wailing sounds of fear on every side.

You search your memory banks to recall an old name,
that long ago you heard, or was it a dream?
You have a notion that if you could remember
and call it out, you would be rescued and freed.

Freed from this nightmare world without any ending,
and spared from an eternal suffering.
That fire you started up for warmth is burning.
It's underneath you now, searing your skin.

Inside your pounding head a voice starts shouting,
"He was a fisherman but you're no fish!
He was a shepherd but you're not some lamb!
You are a coward and an evil man!"

Then in a harsher tone if possible still,
"Such is the price for your free will.
I myself had no such thing.
Only the judgement of a God and a king."!!

Smoke and ash, your soul is gone.
Your last days here are far too long.
You're sick, you cry, you pray to die.
When shadows fall, go greet the sky.

A world of shame covers our names
when all things sacred are profaned.
Perhaps because they're not explained
in simple terms to cure our pain.

May God forgive what we don't know
having to do with self control.
May he bring peace we've not yet found
and help us lay our weapons down.

Smoke and ash, our souls are gone.
There's nothing innocent we've done.
I've torn through you, you've torn through me.
We've done it hypocritically.

With friendship's laughter in the day
and anguished frowns on bitter nights,
we drank the cup of poisoned wine
and then complained when we went blind.

When for a moment we've relaxed
enough to let our guard fall down,
we've learned the Earth is angry flat,
we've plunged knives in each other's backs.

Smoke and ash, we're smoke and ash.
Silently we'll sleep at last.
No more to gain, no more to lack.
Except the sky profaned and black.

The thing you have in common with your brother,
is that you hate all that he does quite differently than you.
And that you're not humble enough to bother,
to work for peace that's good enough for two.

That devil's name is unruly.
His disorder's great, he lacks all self-control.
His place is always discheveled.
He won't wash his face, there is nowhere he goes.
He snarls and hisses so rudely.
And boldly declares that he's not coming out.
Out of that poor man until he,
eats dust and with blind eyes goes stumbling about.

That devil's name must be torture.
She'll fill you in on what you do not know,
those nights you desire her pleasure,
and pay to gain entrance to her lovely show.
She'll satisfy all your cravings.
Then she will leave you to wail and to cry,
all alone coldly reflecting,
the price it has just cost your soul for a ride.

In green days of longing, a youth fills his mind
with notions of love and drives so unkind
fragrances blossom, unbridled and wild
from warm skin empassioned 'neath ivory smiles

bitter-sweet fruits grow in bellies of night
when desire's tempted, to ****** they might
protected like first-borns, not wanting to die
'neath ivory smiles, she teases, "come try."

too early however, he's emptied of fire
the girl yearns for more, she conceals her ire
behind the veneer of a thin, vacant smile
she lies: "That was good. Now let's cuddle a while."

O'kind stranger,
you remind me,
of someone I've seen before.
In a movie,
or on some street.
Maybe right outside my door.

You shake my hand,
firm but gentle,
and bring forth an honest smile.
On a face rather familiar,
then you say,
"Dad, I'm your child."

All confused, I can't remember,
the facts behind what you claim.
So I ask a simple question;
"Sir, please tell me, what's your name?"
"Henry", you say to remind me
then suggest I take a nap.
"Henry", I say, "Can you show me,
where the nearest bed is at?"

"Come with me", you say, "I'll show you."
To which I honest reply:
"Who are you?"
You say, "I'm Henry."
I ask, "You're my son, s'that right?"
"Yes", you answer. "Yes", once more,
to confirm what isn't sure,
as you lead me though the door
to where I've not been before.

Nervously I glance around.
You say, "Dad, please settle down.
You'll feel better if you sleep."
I take your hand, saying,  "Don't leave."
"O'kind stranger, please hold my hand,
'til I drift from this strange land,
into unrecognized dreams;
robbed of all my memories."

Come and show me what you're made of
give me that stuff that I need
just the smallest taste of your love
helps to put my soul at ease
come here girl and pull me closer
let me feel your passion breathe
brand new life into my bones now
on your lust I want to feed
every inch of your sweet body
is a mystery to explore
that attracts and pulls me closer
and persuades to know you more
your warmth...
your touch...
I groan, you blush...
the fire's on
it's all too much
your lips...
your taste...
our long embrace...
your skin...
your hair...
your eyes...
We're There!!

There's not a cloud in the sky today
look upwards if you may
though your eyes only see halfway
try imagining heaven
whisper a prayer for all you do
for what you don't know or think untrue
it stands to reason that the angels are blue
from what's above us, that's a given

All of the sadness that pierces your heart
sooner or later will help you to part
with comfortable things that only enslave you
and keep you from the divine
the gladness you seek will come raining down
it will pour out from the crown
of the one God eternal
who created you to shine

The vast expanse of air declares
the infinite love that we'll share
in storied clouds that swirling form
or lightning as it tears
in crimson sun displays at dusk
on brightest stars that shine each night
we only see heaven halfway
but I trust we'll be alright

All of the madness that weighs on my heart
sooner or later must help me to part
with all of those things that damage my spirit
and keep me from being free
the gladness I seek will come raining down
it will pour out from the crown
of the one true God above
who loves us  eternally.

In my early childhood days of school,
I was "weird", couldn't concentrate on rules,
relating to subjects I was subjected to.
I was sent to the principal or ignored as a fool.

"Focus", they'd say.
Which was just hocus pocus.
Back then there was no treatment
for what I had.
"He's short on attention."
"The span of an infant."
"He's being rebellious."
"He makes us so mad."

Those dry conversations, no doubt had before me,
I cannot remember, I'm sure they took place.
The stammering faces of angry old teachers,
I do not recall well, they're shadows quite vague.
I was locked in my bubble of attention deficit,
a modern term to describe a wandering mind.
My high school g.p.a. was **** poor. I still passed.
Today I finish short books from time to time.

If you're a young kid suffering from a.d.d., bless you.
There's hope for you yet with psychiatric care.
Me I've gained patience from this "new" disorder.
And now I ignore all I don't want to hear.

In towers raised high to reach the sky
men forsake wisdom until time arrives
to pass from this land and into the night
from this world of goodness that's given them life

In richest palace, both king and queen
struggle with sick pride, struggle with greed
as they don gold crowns and sit on their thrones
their far poorer subjects die starved and die cold

Historic records, accounts of deeds
speak of the bravery of souls in need
faced with injustice, they did raise the sword,
and fought to bring down their oppressive lords

In graveyards silent and buried deep
everyone here will lie fast asleep
there'll be no mourners and no one to weep
heaven and hell will hold their full keep

No I'm not yours, and I'll never be.
Yes I am sure, that you're not for me.
Thanks for the roses, they're quite beautiful.
I'll place them in the nicest vase that I own.
But don't get to dreaming that my hand you'll hold.
Soon as you're done with your coffee, go home.

Please don't you come around my door again.
We're not to be lovers, hence we can't be friends.
I'll stay here alone without your company.
'*** no, I'm not yours, and I'll never be.

Please go on ahead of me
come back, tell me what you see
if a better land you find
there we'll take our family

But if all found is smoke and ash
don't linger there, hasten to dash
back to home and country dear
our kids would like it better here

When you've gone beyond those hills
far from these fields of our birth
keep silent, be very still
violent men roam this fair Earth

They'd not hesitate to ****,
rob, or beat you for a thrill
God protect and guide you true
save you from the things they do

That day when good news arrives
heralding your fruitful find
it is then we'll relocate
to that distant, better place

I'll pray each and every night
for your safe return, my dear
but should you forfeit your life
our kids will like it better here

By the candlelight of prayer
the monk knelt by the wick
a nasty over-passing host
made sure that he did slip
and caused the flame of meditaition
to leap and catch his robes
then laughed like mad and teased
that fire purifies the soul

I killed a demon with a drumstick
drove it through his eye
I rat-tat-tat the snare all day
and he did march in time
the black six-string, his only friend
upon his crooked back
and every time he's strummed since then
it just seems weak and slack

no one applauds, they turn away
his fury is offense
he doesn't mind offending though
folks have no common sense
the limelight idiotic glory
is all he does crave
but now he rots anonymous
one long, sad tune he plays

fenced in property lines
construction men with busy lives
their bulldozers and tractors
are moving rocks and sand
building cheap apartments
for those folks with empty hands

I am wondering
if they will sometimes smile
or just stare out of windows
as I walk by
I am wondering
if I knocked on their doors
if they'll treat me right
or simply say come back no more

today I saw the aftermath of an accident
as I walked along a busy street
two cars had been totaled, it was an ugly scene
the driver from the first car stood bleeding in the heat
some emt's were taking care of her more pressing needs
while from the second vehicle, some firemen retrieved
the body of a dead man, they covered him with sheets
I walked away in silence, not shocked in the least

And I am wondering
if an apparition's ghost
could carry all the pain they hold
from this world to the next
yes I am wondering
about coincidence
and being in the wrong place
right on time for accidents

I am wondering
what all this trouble's meant....

Paint your spirit bright with love.
Rid yourself of every thought
that tells you you're not good enough
to stand up and walk right.

Plant a garden in your heart.
Treasure each rare gift of song.
Give your sweetheart roses daily.
Serenade her nights.

And give no thought to what you're missing now.
because life's waiting to deliver you,
into the light and heaven will allow
your soul to be filled with joy and renewed.

Crawl away from this dead space
of fields dotted with unmarked graves,
where all the bones of the unsaved
now have no claim on you

Take a taxi to the shore.
Sail way, return no more.
Bury all your memories
of times you've been untrue.

And have no care for what you've left behind.
Those things you thought you never could live down
will just be visions vanished from your mind,
which will find peace at last and be made sound.

Proudly standing in the light,
she waves when you are within sight.
You marvel at her beautiful,
revealed angelic form.

Tears have dried up from your eyes.
You'll forget the reasons why
they rolled down when they were cried.
You wont hurt anymore.

And try not to explain the situation.
Nor all the pain your heart's endured and worn.
Heaven itself will be the explanation.
When death is vanquished and your love is born.

foiled again, such utter failure
our minds hatched plans broken by
the strong arms of our jailors
guarding all our souls tonight
who will spring us from these prisons?
lead us out into the light?
we're accustomed to the shadows
and the loss of our sight

we had schemes the law frustrated
we had no real chance to win
for the dance was orchestrated
and our missteps did us in
time elapsed and history faded
all our names died in the wind
with the shame of being hated
and the memory of our sins

overhead
are the sun
and the moon
of this galaxy in spin

underneath
are the grass
and the dirt
growing flowers dressed brighter than kings

inside and out
are the laughter
and sounds
of rejoicing with old friends

all around
is the wind
of heaven
which makes every heart to sing

on the front porch
the young, deaf woman
waters her potted plants
green... lush
her two bratty children sling mud
at the freshly washed sheets
hanging from the clothesline
in the backyard

at this moment she's quite happy
wetting the stalks, leaves, and flowers
the giggling children
with mudcaked faces
never had a better time
and at times yell
cheerfully ecstatic

the mother's deafness
her safety against knowing this offense is taking place
then their dad looks out the bedroom window
sees their children
and curses aloud their punk disobedience

he storms outside
promises them punishment
if they don't wash the sheets
before their mother discovers their trespass
then he gets in his pick-up truck
and drives off to work
disgustingly waving goodbye
and giving them a scowling look

the woman after finishing her gardening
walks around to the backyard to motion her kids inside
she cant figure out why the sheets she hung
on the line ten minutes ago
are missing now
and the children--
Where were they?

then suddenly two mud-streaked
ghosts in her soiled up sheets
round the corner of the house
crying boo!!
Boo, boo, booo!!!
in joyful unison
and she's glad she cant hear them

not hearing their circular mouths
so gross that they'd conspire
with bad words to do this
to her and her work
At least her plants were happy now
even if she wasn't
and tonight they will be grounded

then she gets an image in her head
of daddy running the kids over
with his truck
compost meat for her plants---
so happy

you wear your honeysuckle rose
picked form a field where we eloped
on your straw hat, blue and elegant
while your new sewn dress looks good

but its hem is collecting briars
what a mess these fields unknown
but with you nothing is really new
and that fact is clearly shown

I know we've been here long ago
I've dreamt of this some time before
during nights so dark and old
which God in mercy brought to my shore

And a light rain starts to fall
the rainbow says it's almost gone
you turn your face towards the sky
your lips are now no longer dry
the cool rain washes over us
we kiss and hold each other tight
the day will dark when leaves the light
but this time we've spent feels so right

it's a new time
in an old rhyme
I wonder what is real
and what is half believed
but I let these questions go
when I'm with you
no love is old

yes you know, we're one not two.
and I love honeysuckle you.

we played parchissi, grandma and I
the race was on to get home first
we never kept track of who won more
it was ocassionally the same
her eyes were light grey and saw the world
with all its bratty twerps therein
and yes, I'm from that happy gang
I'm sure she knew...yeah, pretty sure.

she cared for birds, plants, and small things
and she would cook for me most days
she hardly smiled, didn't hug me much
but the weekly allowance she gave was great
when her blood pressure wasn't soaring
we'd walk to church and she would pray
I'd stand at attention  thère somehow
but irreverent anyway
once she tried to teach me how
to not fall far from grace
but in all my numbskull glory,
that lesson' was a waste

then her day came, she passed on
I felt sick inside
I was grossed out at myself
and yeah sure I knew why
with mixed up and cold indifference
I treated her in life
lack of gratitude I'm thinking
gets us all the time

When I see her up in heaven
it's my turn to cook
fried eggs and big golden plantains
she'll have a proud look
we'll discuss it all and bygones
will all turn to wind
some nights we will play parchissi
and not keep track of wins.

cruelly marred by loss of flight
wings have crumbled set alight
ashes rained down from on high
what held him aloft has died

winds blasted his once strong wings
the source of his pride they'd been
now they caused him phantom pains
falsely sensing they remained

all the lives that he did save
from an accidental grave
and the guardianship he gave
could not help deliver him

his reward proved quite unkind
but to his fate he's resigned
yet some nights he still does cry
for his God to end his time

when some others soaring by
ask him why he will not try
when the air currents just seem
perfect for a flying dream

two opposing forces
battled from the start
one for sheer destruction
one to free our hearts
one with blinding fury
promising control
one that knows true power
only comes by letting go

two opposing forces
meet us on the road
one to obstruct our way
one to lighten loads
one so rich with pleasures
that lead to a dead end
one that only promises
a dangerous path that mends

Daily these opponents
rage in light unseen
nightly they retire
but still war inside our dreams
when we wake we're greeted
by these diametric beings
and once again we humans
are just made to laugh or scream