How often could it happen
we came upon each other suddenly
passing as two figures in the darkness,
strangers to one another
yet, we shared a beautiful feeling
as we embraced each other's soul
and afterwards I felt like crying
for I have loved her always
(and her smile tells me she agrees).

On the train tonight
a madman shouted out
that I live a life of pretense
filled with clever false images

I should have strangled him there
but he was right -
the lies have to stop somewhere.

Its been a great long ride
but I don't want to leave you yet
all the fond memories go whisking by like a flaming rocket
a reluctant witness to the eternal cycle of life and death

I know you don't want to hear this
and neither do I
but the realist within
showed up like a show pony
prancing to the band

I wish  could tell you
what's on the other side

Fall of my years
come sweetly
come easily
take my hand and walk with me
Promise to be gentle.

From being famous
to obscurity
not an easy journey
the endless accolades
the reverence paid
the endless gratitude
the feeling of omnipotence,
all gone,
and now,
searching for relevance
an unlighted journey
into the unknown
an untethered existence

Soldier
standing in the doorway,
turned his back
on the ugliness and pain,
turned his back
on the shocking glimpses of death,
turned his back
on the horrible past
he could not undo,

Soldier
standing at the bar
reached out to a woman
embraced her with hunger
and left in silence,
he felt no warmth,

Soldier
standing in a mirror
staring at himself
started to cry
turned his back.

Cold, ***** water
rushing through
our small wooded ravine
on such a bitter day,
the wind blown rain
made worse by shocking cool air

oh, what do you tell yourself
on such a nasty day
to keep your mind fresh
and alive

do you hear the faint whispers
which follow you
endlessly
beckoning you to listen
but, out of earshot,
as if by some mad design -
seeming out of your hands,

but, wait
don't leave me now
without listening,
I want so bad for you
to understand,

oh, go then
in your empty hurry,
racing only yourself,
you fool -
I wanted to give you my heart

Sometimes I lose you
in a world
of confusion
and fear

sometimes you just won't
hang around to take
all the crap being flung

and there I stand
alone
without you
never sure of our past

as little glimpses come back to me
your pathway becomes clearer
and I hurry to embrace you
so that we may become strong again

but, as life moves on
I cannot hang onto you
for I know we shall part again
and again

yet, how could I ask for anything more.