Maybe I should hide my heart so it won't be get broken
And stop listening to sweet words in my ear
Just when they are spoken. Watched so many tight couples break apart
So I learned to stop sticking out my tender heart
Maybe I should as of today hide my heart
Don't want it tossed around in a loop
Maybe I should hide my heart so sadness won't get a hold on me
Maybe I should hide my heart and keep it pain free

Don't count on me to be there when he tells you goodbye
Not long ago I was kicked to the curb and made to sigh
Don't count on me or even call my number
You put our once love love in the deep freeze
Made it slumber . If you tried harder it could have last
But that's all in the past. So don't count on me
When he tells you in time goodbye

Since you've been gone I hear your and see your face in every room
Still long to be the reason to sweep you off your feet
When going outside I pass the cop on the beat
He sees my falling tears and wonders who did something bad to me
Can't sleep at night and get up to walk the bedroom floor
Keep listening out even through my heartbreak for your key
To open the door.Playing I'm strong but it's only so much
Pretending baby please come on home and give this story
A happy ending

And I stopped caring long along what people think of me
Try it yourself and take a turn at really being free
I stopped thinking that some people really care
For there are some only when pain has them hurting
Really want you there.After that you're as usual as a quarter
With a whole in it .Make up your mind to run this race fast
Alone and win my friend

Your love is a cool drink of water refreshing indeed
Causing flowers of need inside of me to be satisfied
I was sitting along the road side if you hadn't stopped
And reached out the flame of need and desire within
Might have died. Now you have made this man take
A probing look into the timeless questions of life and see
The possibile certainties that lie ahead
Its better to do this now while I have a clear head
Ponder all the wonders as I'm not yet dead

The summer leaves are dying now the grass is turning brown
It won't be long before the year closes down with snow on the ground
We traveled past dead leaves on the way to our graduation prom
As i sung a song I wrote especially while holding you
In my two loving arms. It was a real hard hitting winter
That really kept us on the go  and I guess that I won't need
that old nickname that everyone used to know that being tagged
Slow Joe

Wake up all the students failing each exam tell them with
Education you can be paid after learning and rule
Within the  land wake up all the old folks forced to starve or pay a bill
They need to send a letter to their state senator on capital hill
Americia  you know they fought in wars and taught their children
To be good citicens stll
Wake up all the preachers who from their assignment
Want to walk away don't they know GOD will be angry
On judgement day
Wake up all the  church members at home or sleeping in the pews
If only they would listen might hear some inspiring good news
Wake up all the racists who discount all black skin thinking to divide
The nation that they can stand a chance to  win
If you think the world could be better than you should really try
Stand up for your convictions count for something before you die

The silence seals us in an envelope of itself
All talking is ceased and thoughts are rocked to sleep in the
Cradle of night how often during the day do words
Overtake us holding us captive because they are all we have

I remember that rainy day in September now gone
Gave you a last hug of goodbye
Parting is ******* those who have parted so they say
Tears mixed with the rain when I watched you walking away
But there is hope in the coming tomorrows
That will erase today's sorrow and I'll always remember that
Falling rain in September that took you away from me

Hope you saw my help wanted posting
Please don't feel sorry for me or think I'm desperate
And don't go feeling alarmed Just waiting here patiently and calm for you to knock on the door than walk into my arms

I  was waiting at the PHILADELPHIA train station for her with
Great expectations but when the doors opened and the conductor
Stepped down with his best smile my dream wasn't on
She had passed up the chance to paint the colors of our romance
Guess this is the farewell season,for the train is traveling down my
Personal track of tears clouds of nothing forming overhead
Now passing blues river, it will be stopping at sadness falls
When I lost that girl gone was the greatest dream of all

I've been through life's fire and come out on my feet
Brave and ready for the next challenge now watch me soar
Pressing on pass trials of darkness and the lion's roar
Ever knowing  inside what my true purpose is for
Keeping my eyes on the future just ahead
Encouraging myself along the way with words
That JESUS said you might laugh at me at times
Or even ignore but don't blink your eyes
Or miss when I soar

You are my most special memory in all of my recollection of thought
I know that part of a woman's charm and grace is in her mystery,
Which she will always be to some special man please come into this
longing heart
All choices made should be made in love or else what is one to do
When the lover slips out forever into the darkness of goodbye
Will you cling to whoever will have you?What happens when
The music of loving stops?
The truth is always terrifying and shameful, but it always remains the truth
We lose ourselves in the stars and each other.
For nothing lasts forever , only art.I heard you call and within my spirit
Answered your fills the deepest part of who I am
For you know me, like you know yourself. Wherever you go,I'm with
You in spirit.When travel in the mind takes me to a distant shore
I behold it in all of its wonder and beauty for both of us.
With you not near,loneliness gripsme inside with eagle claws,
Even when you're not near, I can sense you approaching

You could write a guide to panhandle smooth like glass
Hands jabbing a warning to unseen air voices
You tip closer,spit on the sidewalk
Spasms have checked into your body just like acme has dug
Craters on your homely face and ebony thin body
Walking streets invisible to pimps  police good citicens who rush past
After work to turn on burning lights you float through a sea
Of uncaring stares do they smell the sweat mixed with funk
That tongue kiss your clothes
Under a halo of darkness it would be a good time if a fork
Ever embraced your hand bringing food to the chapped lips
Parched throat if only you could snap away the hard times
Like one doing a magic trick but they won't go away like a fly
Bottom line,life is nothing not even to you

Its not my fault that I'm awesome but was made that way
According to God you might have doubts believing that its true
But He made each one of us awesome too
Don't you know that you're awesome just let positive thoughts take
Flight look in the mirror and repeat these words over yourself
Both day and night and fight for what you believe
Because with no fight you will never receive
Just say that you're awesome waking up or when going to bed
Cast out of the mind the nasty and untrue things
Others have spoken and said let your awesome take over each day
And never live another moment of dred

In the middle of humanity's jungle the wonderous sound of two cellos
Sooth my inner being floating on waves of air filling the night with
Gladness kind of a purple haze of rippling depth these two cellos
Unlike any sound ever heard before two cellos weeping tears of
Sound

No good news today to take away the gloom I watched
My neighbor's house burn down leaving only fumes
But everybody have to carry their own troubled cross and keep
On living daily no matter what has been lost
Fight on still despite the pain if I lose today tomorrow I'll surely gain
No good news today for anyone to hear so keep on marching past each doubt and fear no good news to help your peace of mind
Debts and mortgage will hurt your checkbook every time the tv
Is turned on and listen for some good news and go to sleep depressed
And hurting from the blues no good news to share
Bad news travels fast wish I could hear some good news other
Than somebody busted for selling a ton of grass

Live your life if young or or old live it well before Death steals
Another chance or rings the final bell don't break positive promises
Made to yourself because if they're not kept don't depend
On somebody else live your life dare to give it a try
Each moment lived is getting away don't let dreams pass on by
Never wake up tomorrow with tears of regret there are adventures
And wonders that are waiting out there that haven't been met yet
Live your life back up each sorrow decide today not to beg steal or borrow live your life it's only here once so live to distribute it right now

Some people love two or three times or more trying to get it right
Before time runs out but if I could have my say and way you only love  Once and that should be enough because love more than that can be
Real rough sharing yourself and emotions at any time can be tough
And if I could have my way and say you only love once and if
Done right should be enough

Guess I'll take the long way home just so I can think about her
Under the silver the silver moonlight time maybe some day
Will have us sail away on our special honeymoon
Hoping that walk down the church aisle might be real soon
She's the best thing in the world that ever happened to me
Guess I'll take the long way home just so I can think about her
Right here right now guess I'll take the long way home tonight

Summer is gone and soon the leaves and grass will be turning brown
Falls chill in the air has folks putting on coats all over town
And before you know it summer's traces will be buried under the falling Snow wish I could hang on to summer but each season comes and goes
In summer you can picnic by a running water fall birds are singing
Sweet new songs trees are green and tall with lovers getting married
In June beach days building sand castles are ended way too soon
Summer is the time to eat ice cream piled high sweet potatoe  salad corn
On the cob hot dogs hamburgers root beer what a solid treat
Sitting on the beach house porch watching fire flies light up
The summer  night but just like summer they die

I laughed when you said that you were leaving
Did'nt want the tears to wipe my smile away
I knew if this heart of mine started crying would be doing it both night
And day how I hate the the very thought of you leaving for no one
Really likes to loses and if there was a choice given between
Happiness and sadness I guess happiness would be the winner each and every time leaving is always ******* everyone the only token is a void
making everybody it touches so annoyed

How do you know how I'm feeling or say how long I should be grieving?
It's true my loved one has been gone for a very long time
But the memory is still fresh in my mind
Time and reason say I should be over the sadness now
But I really don't quite know how I prayed so hard to the Lord
yet peace of mind is not now my reward He'll give the answer I seek in the the right time but can't sleep with this on my mind and how
Do you know what I'm feeling or how long I should be grieving
While its true my loved one has been gone for a very long time
But the memory is still on my mind

I'm a comic genius at hiding my depression
Daggers  of torment stab me lurking in the dark corners of this funny mind nothing can make it go away not smoking drinking jokes
Or the hundreds of voices that come roaring out of my mouth
You must be familiar with my rapid fire quips and the Oscar
Among the other awards that have made my name known World wide
So now the day has arrived when nothing can stop the urge
To sneak into the bedroom hanging myself with a belt
That quickly chokes out the bright flame of my career
And all life and hope

Tender is  my love with no pretenses and its all yours
I think its Heaven sent just let me give it to you
This man wants to make each dream come true
Tender is my love but no longer belongs to only me positively
Yours its given so freely Darling please be mine
Let us be the great love of all time tender is my love
It belongs to only you there was a time long ago when
This would not have been true
But now I  want to find you in my arms a romance brand new
Tender is my love and this bouquest of feelings is bound together with a  pink bow for you
For tender is my love just waiting here for you

Imagination will take you places that you might not want to go
It will make the fake seem real just ask me for this i know
Sometimes imagination is needed to keep sadness and blues
Far away I pulled out my Imagination on this sunny saturday
And if you feel that a lift in your spirit could be helpful
Than come along with me we can fly high above our cares and troubles
Throughout the day and feel so free let imagination amuse us
And teach us some new things so come along with me and let old
imagination teach our hearts just how to sing

Belive in yourself doubting never and if this hppens every day that
Life brings you'll live happy ever after
When the sun smiles down and rainbows appear
Thwill be no sad factors belive in your self don't have a negative or bd attitude belive in your self because GOD belives in you
And I do too

When its time for me to die I want you by my side
Don't want to die alone in the wilderness under some unmarked stone
You've been the joy of my exsistence when at times the world
And things didn't make much sense
When its time to go I want to see your smile if grief hasn't stolen it
And have you whisper softly my name like when I walked alive
By your side give me a cool drink of water and remember
To wipe my fevered brow
When its time to punch my ticket
Let me hold onto your hand when its time

Our love is a strange dance of pretense.Your turn to curstsy
My turn to bow.We both need to agree to walk off the dance floor
Into the welcoming embrace of the last goodbye
Because as yet happiness is a long dream  that I have yet to see come true
This might be a sad statement coming from grief
But I've grown tired of pain sinking its sharp teeth into me
My entire being is so hurt and each day it keeps getting worse
This strange dance is no longer a slight chance for me or you
In keeping up with this strange dance
Once long ago in the past I would have tried
But realize now its simply time to say my last goodbye to this
Strange dance

I have bathed myself in the clear flowing waters of your love
And rested under the welcoming tree of your spirir
These hands have tenderly held your face and looking deep within your
Eyes I 've read the silent speech written there
You've been the beacon light of hope shinning across all my dark days
My city street oasis touchstone
With a love as warm as oven gingerbread
And when holding you in the middle of a sometimes evil and
Unjust land ,I've held the promise of joy

I've been cursed by my enemies and talked about by family and friends
Sometimes shunned by my lover,yet still I rise
I've walked through the American land of dreams and idle promises
Been down in t5he valley of the shadow of death without hope to ease the strain and still I rise
My talent has been taken for granted at times and my gifts ignored
I've played mind games with others while dancing to the sullen  music
Of pretense and hard times and still I rise
Sometimes my endurance withered muscles fails me
Time has left behind pieces of my precious life ripped apart by deceit
I've traveled through mine fields of human denial and suffered times
Harder than poisoned spikes
And still I rise

the  youth sleeps unheard in the old man's heart
The restless yearnings burned out by old age
Happy music of glad years now past
Echo in the lonely corridors of his mind
And though eyes are still full of life
The journey will soon end by death 's final degree

YOU were soft velvet and spring water .I was root beer and DVDs
You were Macys and all its magic and I was the army and navy store
But I loved you than as I do now and will always
You were opera and concert music I was gospel pop
You were candlelight dinners with place mats
I was Mcdonalds  fries and burgers iced tea
You were Runway fashion and political talk
I was cars and backpacks and in spite of our differences we were blessed with  a brief span of time and I had to convince you that  our love would last
Even  if you had serious doubts and maybe I should have listened
To caution's voice whispering inside my head as you did
But I 've always been a stubborn fool, now I wait here for the lonely years to come  and will say in spite of fate's final decree
That I loved you than as I do now and will always

On that day long ago I couldn't even cry inside
There was just a sigh watched you quickly walk away
You never said goodbye now what's left for me to do each
New dawning my attention is in and out like a blicking  light
Got to get back to being myself the one whose brave and really
Mattered you never said goodbye and that was what left me so shattered
But that was long ago and the dream no longer matters
Caught in a love daze served you love on a silver platter
Never did I stop to think that when people bestow love on each other
Common sense still must stay, but they were pushed out of the way
You never said goodbye,in such a hurry to leave sadness by my side
You never said goodbye and I had some blues to play
But the thing that gives me hope inside is that some day
Hurt and tears will come into your life to stay
You never said goodbye left  with no happy ever after

I had a dream so long ago
Now you're walking into my life
And rain clouds of doubt have all gone away
I come presenting no false self
I have no desire to be with anybody else
A new dawn of romance has now arrived
It feels that I'm living a dream  with a dream angel
An extra special person who loves me
Floating higher than any blue gray cloud in the sky
Dream angel pleasedon't stop my feelings
From building now
Everyday just let me love youin thanks and graditude

That first day back from kindergarten
The first summer vacation
Soft falling rain on new lovers
Fresh cut sweet smelling grass
Flexing bare toes in the warm sun
Christmas morning with the heart bursting with childish excitement
The delightful taste of mister softee in different flavors
Mama's moist homemade gingerbread filling the kitchen air
Cuddling your favorite love by a crackling fire
Portraits of natural outside beauty designed by GOD
Intense feelings hidden by a false calm waiting
At the altar for the bride to arrive
All of these special moments of life composed  of waiting and watching
Anticipating and enjoying gifts like an impatient
Jack-in- the box

I never thought nor realized that in speaking your name
I would have tears in my eyes
You were the presidential first father of South Africia
But now you NELSON MANDELA  sleep among the
Giants of history like GEORGE WASHINGTON  who laid out the
Foundation and framework conceived in liberty a new nation
Under GOD injecting  into the veins of your country
Liberty without malice for all people all colors creeds
who walked democracy's long road to freedom by your side
Always refusing to let the scorning heat of racism
Put out the light of your divine humanity
Ever lifting up a fist of victory toward a new dawn of opportunity
Of patience love for all
While remaining a new hope in the body of politics refusing to bow
To the cruel headwinds of hate even after breaking rocks of harsh
Prison punishment for twenty seven years
You went in a cell a prisoner but came out a president
No the relentless sun of hate never blew you off course
As king who walked among us  in peace
With a freedom metal and Nobel Peace Prize
You kept the common touch with embraced humility
Smiling  greeting the known and unknown
The rich the poor the tired and the weary
Nelson Mandela you were true royalty with grace among us

Mama's gentle hand rested in mine before putting me on
The giant yellow school bus and somehow awareness made it known
I could trust these hands with my life
The very same hands that wiped away my silent tears
Hugged and kissed away my fears chased with medicine and cold cloths
The fever from my brow death has taken her from me
Leaving sweet memories behind
O how I wish to feel that loving caress as mama put on my stylish cap
And shinny shoes and after school lessons were done at night
Prepared each meal into a bountiful feast to take the mind off
The poor neighborhood of youthful blues
I watched her hands iron shirt and pants pressed so fine
Mama never asked for much for herself but was always
Giving to others with a smile if you were hungry she would
Put an extra plate on the table  while calling you her pet name
For all ''Sugar'' even in trying and hard times she provided for
Her children
Now in my mind I see my mama on bended knees with eyes closed
In prayer thanking GOD for taking her through another day
Across the falling sands of time in the hour glass
I can still see mama's hands

I'm thinking about that old chapel in the valley
Attended so long ago where sunday church bells would ring
And my teenage baritone would sing sweet  songs that memory
Used to know.Don't you know that I left that chapel in the valley
For the city to be wild and drunk and free
Spent most of my time in dark ***** tonk bars
Driving fast shinny new cars like I was a fake movie star
And all the *** that would come to me
Now I'm older and  a little wiser now and time
Seems to be less plentiful than it was before
And like the prodical son in the bible
The world is no longer much fun and I have the gray hairs
And the unseen scars to prove it my friend and I 'm sorry
For all the wrong that  was done
So down on my knees crying out LORD help please
Welcome this foolish child back home

Slaves never owned the land nor themselves
And its hard to imagine if we were ever really free in every
Possible way after  PRESIDENT LINCOLN freed us
Let me explain what I mean.Master smiled and shook hands with us
While giving us a piece of land rocky weedy unused
He also gave us seeds farming equipment and  an old mule
And let us have credit at the corner store that he owned
Where Ious were accepted plus we were allowed to keep the shanty
From which  was used to fight off the wind  dust storms rains snows
Lest I forget to make it known, he took most of the crops
When they came in leaving us only enough food for our family
to live on until the next crops came up
We watched this happen year after year until the ious were taller
than the silent trees that once hung us and left us dangling
In the wind like dark fruit thrown away
With no thought of human blood on the leaves
Running down to join its roots

The plantation that housed my body mind soul
Had fallen on hard times.Union soldiers had plundered the crops
And taken everything worth stealing when word spread
That president Lincoln had signed something called
The emancipation proclamation that set us slaves free
Once able bodied and docile slaves ran off in all directions
But I stayed behind with the old spirit weary who seemed dazed
And listless.My mistress was the only white face among us
One day while I was in the kitchen preparing black coffee
And biscuits she asked me to share these with a rebel soldier
Who was asked to wait at the back door
Suddenly I felt white hands on my *******,than the cloth shirt
Covering me was ripped away as hard manhood invaded my
Insides.The intense pain rocked all senses and tears flooded
Out like a loose dam. My screams bounced off each enclosed wall
Yet no one came to  save me  to stop this unspeakable crime
As he rode the waves of his personal pleasure my mind shut off
to stop it and I saw visions of running through creek beds and
Swimming through rivers with a knapsack with two linen shirts  one
Two pairs of parting gifts from my mistress tied atop my wooly head
And most of all being able to sing with a loud free voice a song
Yet sung

In the ghetto time and grime don't hold back
The years or the tears.Scream out in the night nobody hears or cares
But I'm still holding on.There are fears out here nobody has met yet
I'm still holding on. Walking city streets praying that death won't
Get to me. Sooner or later strangled by the secret wishes inside
Hoping the fake dreams of smoke entering the bodies noses I see
Don't off the real dreams of those not on the pipe
*** being used to sooth away each tired ache or lack
People trying to escape from the ghetto blues
So I'm still holding on. Watching kids doubledutch on sidewalk cracks
Lots seeded with tossed mattresses junked cars rotting trash
Stray dogs seen hanging around hot dice nearby
Thrown down roller hoping to get lucky
And I keep holding on

Flickering moments spent in your presence are not enough
They are wine  and food for my soul
And I find myself greedy for more as time silently ticks by
When all others would attack me with dagger and scorning tongues
I find that your love serves as my first line of defense
So could I ever be cold in the shelter of your arms
When its a tender fire inside that warms me so?

I'm sweeping the pieces of yesterdays dreams away that crashed
And fell outside of my door  majestic colors of blue gold red orange
All gone now but yet to rise from thee ashes like never before
All thoughts and dreams born inside
And I would say never open the door to silent longings
Not to be loved or embraced
When the heart is ready and open it will enter
To cause a celebration

Yesterday was a journey filled with dark thoughts
As I walked through a barren flowerless garden of loneliness
Unbeliveing  and dismal was my future outlook
And the world point of view
The sun of brilliant splendor usually far above in the sky
Seemed to be playing peek-a-boo
Today the sky is clear with birds singing newly composed  songs
Once again I hold within the knowledge that life is dear
And am brave enough to face anything that suddenly comes along
Because  you my sweet and wonderful love have inspired my heart
To sing lush lovely songs

If all the trees in the neighborhood were made of ice cream
And you could have as much of it as you want or need
Just put  long handle spoons in both hands in the summer
Eat every mouthful real fast before its goodness melts
All over the face and clothes but in winter eat a little slower
Because all the ice cream trees will be frozen and you
Would be forced to  go real slow
And if all the clouds above were multicolored lemon drops
Falling gently down, there would be nothing to worry or think about
Except what day that your family dentist could take you in
Because after eating all of that candy and ice cream
you're bound to have some holes in your teeth my friend

On the farm I made a playhouse out of wooden grates
It's a place to ponder about the food I haven't ate as yet
When mama is in the kitchen ,her meals are light as a feather
But if there's nothing in the pantry to fix, how good a cook she is
Really doesn't matter.Preacher Joe and his wife millie are aware
of our family's plight, they both prepare church cooked meals for all
Who are hungry in town,so that their stomachs don't growl in hunger
Before they go to sleep at night
Sometimes when I go to school to get learning,at home is an empty fridge cup plate
I have to put my head down on my desk because keeps striking
me with crossed eyes like a coiled up snake
No one can see my hunger, but it's always there and I pray
To the Lord  above that the people in WASHINGTON who hold
Power over everybody's life will open their eyes and really help
The voters in the Nation and stop pretending that they really care
Their party line strife is killing me  in this so called land of plenty

In a gym in Philadelphia
Boys with street hungry eyes flick jabs at your moving brown form
In a circled ring of chance.Sweat hangs in the air like the sad
Truth of poverty.If they get pass you the sweet smell of success is guaranteed.For the scared don't get rich
You made good,born the ******* of misfortune
Dreaming of riding past the old neighborhood in a custom made car
Meeting beautiful long haired women with even white teeth
Maybe in your dreams you saw boxing gloved foes
Falling by the the score.But defeat and loss chased you down
Dead -end alleyways of lonely tears and the walls of your mind
Seemed about to collapse as you ran under a sky of broken dreams
And tossed away chances with closed eyes afraid you were dying
From large blows to the soul
A body worn and a collection of years of being struck
How many times have I seen you hanging over the ropes
Completely wiped out of cash and hope like a voice lost
In the rumbling of a subway train speeding past
tenements of Philadelphia

So many people gone
Death came and took them all away but I keep holding on
Because in time and life I want to stay there are no more tears
As onward this man goes looking forward to greet the coming years
Before moving on.So I keep holding on
Won't sing no more sad mournful songs. Got to keep holding on
Through the mist of disappointment you know at every funeral
I wept a lot of  real falling tears and no one was looking on at me
Wresled with each new hidden fear
I keep holding on .Got a lot of living yet to do
Until each and every single moment left is gone
I keep holding on

When I behold your smiling face adorned in soft beauty
There is a silent stirring within casting out old thoughts of being alone
Aside thoughts of tenderness make a stairway of desire outside your door
Waiting to be welcomed inside
My need is a flowing glow,leading this man to think beyond this day
In terms of forever  I want your sweet presence to invade my
Personal space at any moment day or night
come now don't let  my hope be hopeless my longing curl up in dark regret, be kind to me and know that I speak the truth and have kicked
out all doubts
I pray that you will not ***** my heart with the sharp needle of
rejection or quickly my heart will die as you view a corpse who
walks on two feet.
I would leave knowing that all that lights our shadows
Only serve to bring us together in another time and place
Therefore I depart with dreams of thee
Your love is a warm woolen coat wrapped around my once lonely being and a constant reminder of just how blessed among men I am
I need not gather up again my former fears and regrets
For you my love have shown me a new and wonderful land
Where dreams do not sleep but come alive
To those who believe beyond all that they now see