Distant thunder roars
Maple branches surrender
to the gusting wind
---
A busy boy turns
toward the darkening clouds
waiting for the rain

We put our problems in a bottle,
sank it, and said a prayer,
then hammered down the throttle
with our hands to the open air..
The evening sky especially beautiful -
Sun rays bursting through cotton skies
And still, it was barely suitable
to reflect from the bluest eyes..
Pontoon bouncing on choppy water
Blonde hair dancing in the wind -
just a worn out dad and daughter
who might not come this way again.
But today, the water welcomes us..
And we make for a crazy crew..
Captain Grateful at the wheel
with his first mate - Baby Blue

One thing that
I'll remember
And I trust that
you'll never lose:
Warmth that
late December
can't take from
those baby-blues

That worn old house on Second Street
The whole world inside the fence -
He-man tapes and old towel capes
stood ready at my defense..
Where the rain would wash away
the dirt of places that I'd been
I was getting older, day by day,
but you couldn't have told me then..
Wars were fought and mountain dew
had gone up to 50 cents each..
But I had important things to do
fighting Bowser to save Ms. Peach.
Power Rangers and video games -
a plastic rim bent on the wall
Making friends and arrogant claims
of being the best ball player of all
Take me back to Second Street
Perhaps, there, I'd right my wrongs
Or dance to that old smoky beat
in all those Bob Seger songs..

After all the things I've hoped for -
all the things I've heard and said,
I tried to fight the demons by
feeding proteins to my head
Inspiration is for a little child
Hardened maturity for the old
But I picked apart the good things
I've believed that I've been told
I guess I settled for a knock off
And told everyone I tried, and
threw some stones into the ocean
hoping it might change the tide..

Come home, sweet Surrender..
Hope you'll stay with all the mess
I wasn't expecting you to come
this late and find me in such distress
I'd like to say I've waited patiently,
but I'm scared of you instead..
after all the things I've hoped for
and everything I've heard and said..

Let my mind
be small and sure
as opposed to
large and weak.
And my intentions
right and pure
before I ever
begin to speak..
Lust of power makes
for a busy head
and hunger that
is never fed.  
Be still and trust,
be small and pray
And put those
childish things away

Hopeless most the time
But now I'm dopeless
Doing fine
Thanks for asking
Excuse me as I
fix my mask..
Bogus cliche lines
But I've been told this
way of life
is worth grasping
So excuse me as I
shine the brass..
Open up my mind
to all the locusts
Come and dine
I'm only asking
you'll excuse me
from a crooked past..

After all the things I've hoped for -
all the things I've heard and said,
I tried to fight the demons by
feeding proteins to my head
Inspiration is for a little child
Hardened maturity for the old
But I picked apart the good things
I've believed that I've been told
I guess I settled for a knock off
And told everyone I tried, and
threw some stones into the ocean
hoping it might change the tide..

Come home, sweet Surrender..
Hope you'll stay with all the mess
I wasn't expecting you to come
this late and find me in such distress
I'd like to say I've waited patiently,
but I'm scared of you instead..
after all the things I've hoped for
and everything I've heard and said..