maryannart

Poetry by Mary Ann Nelson McAlister

Poems on maryannart.com may not be reproduced in whole or part under penalty of law.

SILENCE

HE SPEAKS TO ME ALL MORNING, HE SPEAKS TO ME ALL NIGHT

THE ONLY TIME HE'S SILENT IS WHEN WE'RE IN A FIGHT

IF I HAD A SINGLE WISH, A WISH THAT'S JUST FOR ME

I'D WISH A KISS FROM HIS LIPS AND NOT A WORD THERE'D BE

YET EARLY IN THE MORNING AND DEEP INTO THE NIGHT

THE VOICE OF LIFE, OF DEEPEST STRIFE, PENETRATES MY SIGHT

SOON THERE WILL COME A TIME, PERHAPS AT EVENING SUP

THAT I WILL SIMPLY TURN TO HIM AND SWEETLY SAY SHUT UP!

THE FAT COUSINS

LONG LANKY LARRY HAD TWO COUSINS WHO WERE FAT AS WHALES

THEY SAY THEY WENT FOR A SWIM ONE NIGHT, EVERYONE KNOWS THE TALES

THEY SWAM OUT TO THE POINTED ROCK AND OUT INTO THE SEA

THEN FLOATED ON THEIR GUSHY FAT INTO INFINITY

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE TWO GIANT GIRLS

SWIMMING OUT AT MIDNIGHT WITH THEIR HAIR ALL TIED IN CURLS

SOME SAY THEY DRIFTED TO AFRICA AND MET UP WITH SOME TRIBES

OF BARBARIC CANNIBALS WHO WANT THEIR HUGE FAT HIDES

OTHERS SAY THESE HEFTY BROADS RAN RIGHT INTO A SHIP

AND THIS COLLISION OF THE MASSES BLEW THEM ALL TO BITS

BUT MY THOUGHT ON THESE FAT SISTERS IS A TALE I'D SAY

I THINK AN ALIEN SPACE SHIP TOOK 'EM TO DROP ON US DOOMS DAY

WHATEVER THE CASE, LARRY'S COUSINS HAVEN'T BEEN SEEN SINCE

AND WE SHALL NEVER KNOW IF IT WAS THEM THAT SQUASHED HIS FENCE.

MY TELEVISION

HE SITS THERE STARRING WITH THAT ONE HUGE EYE, A GLOWING FLASHING ORB.

TAUNTING ME WITH VISIONS OF ALL KINDS, FOR MY MIND TO ABSORB

HE THINKS WITHOUT HIM I COULDN'T LIVE, HE THINKS I'D JUST FADE AWAY

STILL I THINK I'M HYPNOTIZED AS I GAZE AT HIM ALL DAY

I WANT TO PROVE HIM WRONG AND LEAVE WHILE LAUGHING IN HIS FACE

BUT SOON MY FAVORITE SHOW COMES ON SO I WATCH, MYSELF DISGRACED.

STAY

IT'S CLOSE TO ELEVEN AS I LOOK AT THE CLOCK

ALMOST FIVE HOURS SINCE YOU WENT FOR A WALK

I HOPE IN MY HEART, WAY DOWN DEEP INSIDE

THAT SOON YOU'LL RETURN LIKE THE INCOMING TIDE

I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW BUT YOU'RE NO WHERE IN SIGHT

NOW I'M SO FRIGHTENED, IT'S WAY PAST MIDNIGHT

PLEASE COME CALM MY SOUL, DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE

WITHOUT YOU I'M LOST OUR HOUSE IS NO HOME

I HEAR THE DOOR OPEN AND THEN HEAR IT LOCK

YOUR FOOTSTEPS COME NEAR, THE CLOCK GOES TICK TOCK

YOUR HANDS TOUCH MY FACE AND MUSS UP MY HAIR

YOUR LIPS PRESS MY CHEEK, I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE THERE

YOU TELL ME YOUR HOME FOREVER TO STAY

I HOPE IT'S THE TRUTH FOREVER I'LL PRAY

PLEASE NEVER LEAVE ME, PLEASE DON'T YOU GO

FOR NO OTHER PLACE WILL SO MUCH LOVE FLOW.

EXAMPLE

A GOD LOOKED DOWN UPON THE WORLD TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE

ON THE EARTH WHAT CAUGHT HIS EYE WAS THE COLORFUL WORKER BEE

HE WATCHED AND SAW AND LEARNED A LESSON FROM THIS TINY THING

THAT HE A GOD COULD LEARN TO WORK FROM HIM WITH SMALLEST WING

THE GOD TURNED FROM HIS LOOKING DOWN AND THOUGHT HARD IN HIS MIND

AND VOWED A WISH IN DEEP REGARD TO WORK HARD TO UNWIND

THE TIMELESS RAVAGES OF HATE AND SIN SPUN IN THE BROKEN WORLD

SO THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST LIFE MIGHT PEACEFULLY UNFURL

BABIES

SMALL YET FRIGHTENING, QUAINT AND FRAIL

CAN'T TALK, CAN'T WALK, BUT SURE CAN YELL

BALD AND TOOTHLESS, SMILES GRACE

CHASES FROWNS FROM EVERY FACE

TINY HANDS AND DAINTY NOSE

SOFT SMOOTH SKIN AND LITTLE TOES

EVERYTHING A HEART NEED LOVE

A LOVELY PACKAGE FROM ABOVE.

MANY TIMES

MANY TIMES I GAZE OUT OF MY WINDOW INTO THE DEEP BLUE SKY

AND WATCH DARK SHAPES THAT LINGER THERE, HOW GRACEFULLY THEY FLY

MANY TIMES I LOOK UPON THE TREES, THEIR LEAVES OF DEEP GREEN BEAUTY

AND WATCH THE FLOWERS, PINK AND GOLD, IN GRACEFUL UNITY

MANY TIMES I SEE TENDER EYES FULL OF LOVE, THERE JUST FOR ME

AND THAN I THINK HOW LUCKY, YOU I HAVE , AND HOW HAPPY I CAN BE

THOSE EYES

GREEN EYES SEE THE SUMMER'S SUN, THEY SEE THE FALLING RAIN

THEIR WARMTH AND BEAUTY DO CARESS AND FILL JOY IN GAPS OF PAIN

BLUE EYES DANCE IN BLOSSOMS OF SPRING, THEIR LOVE FILLS HEARTS UP FULL

ON CRISP GRAY NIGHTS THEIR LIGHT SHINES THROUGH SO NEW LOVE DOES NOT DULL

VIOLET EYES DWELL IN MYSTERY, THEY HIDE THEIR THOUGHTS FROM ME

THEY SING THE SONG OF THOUGHTFULNESS AND INSPIRE ME TO SEE

BLACK EYES ARE DEEP AND RICH IN LIFE, CULTURE OF THINGS DONE PAST

IF ONLY TO SEE WHAT THERE HAS BEEN, THEN ALL GREAT LOVE WOULD LAST

BROWN EYES WEAR AUTUMN LEAVES CLOSE, THEY WATCH THE SNOW SILENTLY FALL

THEY ARE QUIET AND GENTLY ASK WILL PEACE BE WITH US ALL

THE EYES I LOVE THE DEEPEST THOUGH ARE THOSE EYES OF MY MAN

WHEN HE GAZES THROUGH MY SOUL I KNOW THAT HE TRULY UNDERSTANDS

MY LIFE IS EMPTY WITHOUT THOSE EYES, THE LOVE OF MY EMBRACE

MY WALL OF GUARDING EMPTINESS IS NO MATCH FOR EYES THAT SEE ALL SPACE.

THE WALK

ONCE WHEN I WAS WALKING I ALMOST SQUASHED A SNAIL

HE WASN'T VERY HAPPY AND SOON BEGAN TO YELL

HE CALLED ME NAMES AND MADE ME CRY THAN SPIT RIGHT ON MY TOE

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT HE WAS THERE AND TRIED TO TELL HIM SO

BUT HE DIDN'T CARE, THE ORNERY GRUMP

AND STORMED OFF IN A FIT

I COULDN'T SAY I'M SORRY, HE HAD GONE INSIDE HIS PIT

I DIDN'T MEAN TO ALMOST SQUASH HIM, I WAS JUST ON A WALK

AND I COULD SWEAR IN ALL MY LIFE I'VE NEVER HEARD SNAILS TALK.

IF I KNEW NOT

THE RAIN IS FALLING ON THE GROUND,

IT'S FALLING FROM THE SKY

IF I KNEW NOT HOW IT FELL I MIGHT JUST WONDER WHY

CLOUDS OF BILLOWING BRIGHT CLEAN SMOKE,

TRAVEL THROUGH TIME AND SPACE

IF I KNEW NOT HOW THEY MOVED I MIGHT FALL INTO DISGRACE

TREES GROW UP, TALL AND STRAIGHT WITH LEAVES OF DEEPEST GREEN

IF I KNEW NOT HOW THEY LIVED HOW IGNORANT I WOULD SEEM

ALL THE ANSWERS ARE NOT MINE, ALL TRUTHS NOT THERE TO HOLD

BUT KNOWLEDGE IS A TREASURED THING,

MORE SO THEN TAVERNS OF GOLD.

THE NOBLE KNIGHT

"OH PLEASE, HOW I IMPLORE THEE, I'VE FOUGHT MANY A

BATTLE THIS DAY AND LIE HERE, WOUNDED AND WEAK

IF THOU DOTH NOT WISH TO BE MERCIFUL AND TAKE ME WITH THEE, LEAVE ME,

FOR I HATH NO STRENGTH TO HEAR THEE SPEAK"

"THOU ART PURE, BRAVE KNIGHT" SPOKE THE SPIRIT OF GOSSAMER MIST

"AND REWARDS SHALL SOON FOLLOW THEE THROUGH THY TRAVELS ABOVE MORDORES PEAK

THOU HAST FOUGHT A BATTLE OF TEN THE BRAVERY THOU SHOWEST

DOTH NOT COME OF MEN THEY ART BLEAK

THOU HAST FOUGHT DOWN THE ARMIES OF A THOUSAND EVIL SOULS

A TASK HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED,

TEN FOLD BY ONE SOUL PURE AS THEE SO MEEK"

THE KNIGHT SPOKE AGAIN AS HE WEAKLY GASPS FOR AIR

"I AM DYING OH GHOST OF TRANQUIL WHITE PLEASE GRANT ME ONE HOPE,

IT IS HEAVEN THAT I SEEK."

WITH THESE LAST WORDS THE KNIGHT BREATHED OUT ALL LIFE

THE SPIRIT SMILED CELESTIAL THE KNIGHT WOULD

REIGN FOR HE HAD MADE SATAN'S POWER OBLIQUE

DEATHS FACE

TOWERS OF CRYSTAL GLEAMED IN THE RAYS OF THE MIDDAY SUN

THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT IN VICTORY WHILE THE WAR WAS YET UNWON

ONE STOOD IN THE MIDST OF CORPSES STREWN AROUND AND BROKEN

VICTORY HAD ESCAPED HIS HEART, PAIN HAD VIOLENTLY AWOKEN

PROUD AND STRONG HE SHOULD HAVE FELT, FOR HE HAD CONQUERED MEN

YET HE COULD NOT HELP WONDERING, HAD HE SLAIN A FUTURE FRIEND

FOR WARS ARE CREATIONS OF TIME AND POWER, NOT OF SINGLE BEINGS

AND ALL THAT LAY THERE IN THEIR BLOOD WERE MEN, NOT WARLORDS THINGS

SO WHEN A BATTLE OR A WAR COMES ROUND TO PUT US IN DISGRACE

THINK BEFORE YOU FIGHT, SOON YOU'LL LOOK RIGHT IN DEATHS FACE

THE DRUNKS

UPON MY STEPS SITS A BRAGGART OF DRUNKS

THEY RANGE FROM TEENS TO OLD

THE OLDER AND THE REBEL PUNKS

ALL DRINK LIKE IT WERE GOLD

I WONDER IF THEY EVER THINK

OR WANT A WISH TO SEE

THE DRINK, THEIR MASTER, THEIR CHAIN LINK

THAT HOLDS THEM FROM BEING FREE

YET STILL THEY DRINK THE JUICE OF HELL

AND TRAP THEMSELVES IN HATE

THEY DRINK THE VENOM AND THEY FAIL

WHILE BEER CONTROLS THEIR FATE

THE RICH

GIVE ME THIS, GIVE ME THAT

I'M GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK

BUY ME THIS, BUY ME THAT

AND PUT IT IN A PAPER SACK

SELL ME THIS, SELL ME THAT

IT ISN'T MONEY THAT YOU'LL LACK

HAND ME THIS, HAND ME THAT

IT'S MUCH TO HIGH UP ON THE STACK

I'M SO DEMANDING AND I LACK

A SORT OF DECENCY AND TACT

THE POLITICIAN

SHAKING HANDS AND KISSING BABIES, HE CERTAINLY ISN'T A SAINT

HE'S GOT A MILLION DOLLAR HOUSE, YET STILL HE CALLS IT QUAINT

PARTIES AND WINE, VOTE FOR ME, I'M A REDNECKS SON

WENT TO YALE AND HARVARD BUT HE'S A POOR MAN TO EVERYONE

WIPE AWAY YOUR TREACHEROUS PAST, PRESENT YOUR FUTURE OF LIES

YOU TRY TO PASS THEM OFF AS TRUTH, THEY SWARM AS BLACK AS FLIES

YOU SMILE AT YOUR OPPONENT, A GRAND EXAMPLE TO THE PRESS

DEEP INSIDE YOUR FULL OF HATE, A HELLISH UGLY MESS

A CRISP SUIT, WHAT A PACKAGE, FOR A POLISHED CROOK

DON'T TRY TO CON ME, YOUR JUST FILTHY, NOTHING

IN MY BOOK

BORED

THERE YOU SIT WITH NOTHING TO DO

SUMMERS HERE AND IT COMES DOWN TO YOU

YOUR BORED ALREADY, THERE'S NO PLACE TO GO

YOU THINK YOU'VE GONE CRAZY, YOU BETTER HANG LOW

FRIENDS ON LONG TRIPS, THERE'S NO ONE TO PLAY

YOU WANDER THE STREETS TO PASS THE DAY

READ A BOOK! NO WAY, NOT UNTIL FALL

SO YOU HANG OUT ALL DAY WAITING FOR FRIENDS TO CALL

GET A LIFE KID, IT'S THERE, GO OUT AND FIND YOURS.

GOOD THINGS TO DO ALL SUMMER WHOLESOME AND PURE.

SO DON'T SELL YOURSELF SHORT GO HAVE A BALL.

IF YOU DO ALL THINGS WRONG YOU'LL SURELY FEEL SMALL

THE FIEND

THERE WAS THIS WOMAN WHO WAS CONSIDERED

A CHOCOLATE MANIAC

AND SHE BELIEVED THAT WITHOUT CHOCOLATE SHE'D HAVE A HEART ATTACK!

SO ONE DAY A TRUCK OF SWEETS PASSED RIGHT BEFORE HER EYES

SHE CHASED IT AS THE ROAD DID SHAKE FROM HER BIG, FAT THIGHS

SHE CAUGHT THE TRUCK ON MAIN STREET IN FRONT OF MURPHY'S STORE

AND GOBBLED UP IT'S CONTENTS THAT SHE OBVIOUSLY ADORED

A POLICEMAN CAME AND TOOK HER TO JAIL WHERE THEY WON'T GIVE HER A TASTE

NOW SHE'S RESTRICTED FROM ALL SWEETS BUT SHE WON'T GIVE UP THE CHASE.

I KNEW IT!

YOU KNOW I SAW YOU STANDING THERE BEFORE ME, RIPPED, TORN AND BADLY BRUISED

YET SEEING YOU IN AGONY I DID WHAT YOU'D ASKED ME NOT TO DO

SOMEWHERE INSIDE MY DEEPEST PART MY SOUL HAD FROZEN TO A SOLID COLD

SO WHEN I DID WRONG THINGS THAT HURT YOU TO ME THEY SEEMED AS PURE AS GOLD

NOW IN PENITENT HEART I ASK YOU NOW WITNESS MY PENDING AGONY

IS YOUR HEART COLD AND ANGRY SEEING WHAT I'D BLEMISHED IN ME.

I HOPE THAT WARMTH WILL FILL THE COLD, OH PLEASE PAIN, PLEASE SUBSIDE.

AGAIN I SAY TO YOU DEAR FRIEND, I'M SHAMED, WILL YOU PLEASE GUIDE?

PERHAPS THE LESSON IS YET UNLEARNED, I FEEL THAT FAMILIAR ACHE

SO SOMEDAY YOU MAY FORGIVE THIS WRETCH AND MY SINS I WILL FORSAKE

YES SOMEDAY WHEN YOU FORGIVE ME AND LORD IF I MAY BE SO BOLD

THAN I SHALL FOLLOW EVER AFTER THEE AS THOSE OF LONG AGO.

PLEASE HELP ME BROTHER THAT I MIGHT, IN MY HEART, ALWAYS KNOW!

WISH, HOPE AND DREAMS

REALMS OF FANTASY DAINTILY GLIMMER DEEP WITHIN MY MIND

DREAMS OF BEINGS AND STRANGE IMAGES, UNLIKE HUMAN KIND

PEACE RESTS THERE, GRACEFULLY, DROPS OF MOIST MILDEW

LIVES ARE LIVED QUITE PEACEFULLY, WHILE NOT KNOWING ME OR YOU

IF WE COULD LEARN FROM WHAT WE'D WISH OR HOPE OR EVEN DREAM

THAN PERHAPS THE WORLD WOULD LIVE AND MAYBE IT WOULD SEEM

THAT OUR LIVES ARE WORTH MORE THAN ITEMS WE HAVE HERE

AND THOSE AROUND US, THOSE WHO'D CARE, THAT'S WHAT WE'D HOLD DEAR

SO LIVE YOUR DREAMS AND WISHES, KEEP YOUR HOPES ALIVE

FOR A BETTER WORLD TOGETHER, OUR HEARTS WILL BOLDLY STRIVE

STONE COLD

I LOOKED TO YOU FOR HELP THAT DAY AND STILL YOU TURNED YOUR HEAD

YET IN MY EYES YOU MUST HAVE SEEN THE FEAR AND DEEPEST DREAD

I BEGGED YOU, BEFRIEND ME PLEASE, I CAN NOT HERE SURVIVE

YET YOU, WITH HEART OF COLDEST STONE, JUST SPIT INTO MY EYE

I REACHED FOR YOU WHEN DEATH WAS NEAR, YOU RAN TO SAVE YOURSELF

A COLDER SOUL IS NONEXISTENT, SOMEDAY YOU'LL FEEL HELL'S WEALTH

CRICKETS

TWILIGHT CREEPS THROUGH THE MISTY TREES, RESTING ON THE PASSING DAY

AS DEW DROPS FORM, DROPPING LIGHTLY, TURNING SHARP WATERS INTO HAZE

A CALL RINGS OUT, A SONG, OF DARK CREATURES IN CRACKS OF EARTH

THEY WERE THERE FOR ALL TO HEAR FROM THE MOMENT OF MANS BIRTH

NO ONE CARES TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR NIGHTLY SONGS

BOTHERSOME AND UGLY WE JUDGE THEIR ORCHESTRAL THRONGS

PERHAPS SOMEDAY IN OUR LAND OF VIPERS AND HARSH MOLTEN THOUGHTS

THERE WILL BE ROOM FOR IMAGES OF BEAUTY IN MAN'S VISIONS SOUGHT

THE WALLER

THE SUN, IT SHIMMERED, ON THE SLICK OF DEEPEST, DARKEST MUD

THE EARTH THAT FLOWS BENEATH US ALL AND SHOWS WHAT WE'RE MADE OF

THAN SLOWLY STEPPED THE BEAST OF LIFE INTO THE DARKENED PUDDLE

THERE HE SLID IN IDLENESS AND SLEPT WITHOUT A SCUTTLE

A GRUNT A MOAN, THE CREATURE SIGHED AND TURNED TO FACE THE BEAMS

THE HOG, THE MARROW OF LIFE'S BONES, SNOOZED IN THE SUNS BRIGHT STREAMS

NO ONE

SPIRALS ENTWINED IN IVY GREEN TOWERED ABOVE THE EARTH

THERE HE'D LIVED WITHIN THEIR WALLS DIRECTLY FROM HIS BIRTH

THE ANCIENT PLACE WAS CURSED, THEY SAID, AND LEFT FOR NATURES WAY

BUT HE EXISTED STILL WITHIN GREAT WALLS OF DEEP BLUE CLAY

SOMETIMES HE'D LOOK, HIS EYES UNHUMAN, OUT INTO THE WORLD

AND WATCH ITS PEOPLE FIND THEIR WAY AS THEIR LIVES QUIETLY UNFURLED

NO WANT HE HAD TO JOIN THE RACE SO DIFFERENT FROM HIS OWN

SO HE REMAINED LOCKED AWAY IN HIS CRUMBLING CASTLE OF STONE

HOW SAD AND LONELY TO LIVE A LIFE IN SUCH VIVID ISOLATION

NO RACE, NO FAMILY, NO LOVE TO HOLD, HE WAS ENVELOPED IN GREAT FRUSTRATION

ONE WINTERS DAY, CAUGHT BY DEPRESSION, HE CAST HIMSELF FROM THE WALLS

NO SCREAM PIERCED THE SILENCE, NO CRY RANG DOWN THROUGH THE COLD HARD HALLS

ALONE HE'D LIVED, ALONE HE'D DIED, TO HIS SORROWFUL END.

PERHAPS A DIFFERENT TALE I'D SPIN, IF HE'D ONLY HAD A FRIEND.

BOOKS

ARE YOU STUCK IN THE OFFICE WITH NOWHERE TO LOOK?

PULL UP A CHAIR AND PULL OUT A BOOK

IF YOUR BORED WITH YOUR JOB THEN YOU WON'T GO TOO FAR

SO READ A GOOD STORY AND THEN THERE YOU ARE

OUT IN THE JUNGLE, UP IN DEEP SPACE,

FISHING FOR TROUT DRESSED IN LEATHER AND LACE

DINING IN PARIS, DANCE IN THE SEA

A KING OR A PAUPER THERE YOU CAN BE

SINGING ON STAGE, PLAY THAT GUITAR

HAVE A DRINK ON THE HOUSE IN SOME LOW REPUTE BAR

QUICK DRAW OR THIEF HUNG BY THE NECK

SAILING THE OCEANS AND SLIP OFF THE DECK

FLY IN THE SKY, THE RED BARON TO SOME

FALL IN LOVE, SEE A SHOW, GLIDE UP ABOVE

ALL THIS AND MORE DOWN THROUGH THE AGES

RECORDED FOR YOU ON MANY BOOKS PAGES

SO READ A GOOD STORY OPEN A BOOK

YOU'D SURE BE SURPRISED IF YOU'D JUST HAVE A LOOK.

ALL BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!

IF I SAW YOU THERE WITH HER, DO YOU THINK I'D CARE?

I WOULD, AFTER ALL, I LOVE YOU

IF I SAW THAT YOU WERE HURT, WITH PAIN INSIDE A FLARE

I'D BE THERE TO DOUSE THE FIRE WITH COOL KISSES, AFTER ALL, I LOVE YOU

IF I SAW YOU MADE A FOOL SO ALL AROUND WOULD STARE

I'D KEEP THE BLUSH OF SHAME FROM TINTING YOUR CHEEK, AFTER ALL, I LOVE YOU

IF I SAW YOU FALL, EVEN DOWN TO SATAN'S LAIR

I'D LIFT YOU TO CELESTIAL HEIGHTS, ALL BECAUSE ,I LOVE YOU

MY LOVE

THE SPIDERS HOME IS SPUN OF LOVELY SILKEN THREAD

AS IS THE LOWLY CATERPILLARS METAMORPHISIZING BED

THEY ARE BUT TINY INSECT WITHIN THIS WORLD OF MAN

BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE CAN WITH THESE CREATURES STAND

DO YOU HAVE A HOME BUILT FROM WITHIN YOURSELF

OR A BED FROM WHENCE YOU RISE BEAUTY ON YOU DEALT

I HAVE NEITHER HOUSE OF SILK OR BED THAT MAKES ME CHANGE

FROM A LOWLY CRAWLING THING TO THE SKIES TO RANGE

WHAT I HAVE IS JUST AS GOOD AS SENT FROM UP ABOVE

FROM MY RAY A GLOWING ORB OF TREASURED PRECIOUS LOVE

WHAT A DILEMMA

THERE ARE SOME LIVES THAT AREN'T COMPATIBLE NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK

MOTHER-IN-LAWS AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAWS ARE ONE EXAMPLE IN MY BOOK

WHERE ARE ALL MY GRANDCHILDREN, ONE ALWAYS SEEMS TO SHOUT

I'M NEVER HAVING CHILDREN, CRIES THE OTHER ONE AND POUTS

MY SON IS LOOKING TOO THIN, DON'T YOU EVER FEED HIM

IF HE GAINS ANOTHER INCH I'M GONNA HAUL OFF AND BEAT HIM

SINCE MY BOY MARRIED YOU I NEVER GET A CALL

THE PHONES RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF HIM, HANGING ON THE WALL

YOU'RE WORKING HIM TO DEATH, MY POOR TIRED CHILD

I WORK FOUR JOBS AND HOUSE WORK TO, I'M ABOUT TO GO PLUM WILD!

I THINK THEY WEREN'T MEANT TO BE TOGETHER, THEY JUST DON'T GET ALONG

AND THE HUSBAND\SON IS CAUGHT BETWEEN, LUCKILY MEN ARE STRONG

BORROW AND DESTROY

HOW LOVELY WAS THAT BLESSED MORN, THE DAWN OF ALL CREATION

WHEN MAN STEPPED THROUGH A VEIL OF SCORN, THE PURIFYING SENSATION

AND WALKED ON EARTH, SO PURE FROM BIRTH, UNFEELING OF MAN'S PAIN

HE TALKED WITH SOULS OF ANIMALS PURE, HIS ETERNITY TO GAIN

NOW LOOK AT US, OUR EARTH, OUR LIVES, POLLUTED BEYOND MEASURE

WHAT WOULD WE GIVE TO BE THE FIRST, WE'VE LOST OUR PRECIOUS TREASURE

OH WHY, WE CRY TO OUR LORD, HAVE YOU TAKEN AWAY YOUR GRACE

IT IS YOU, MY TROUBLED CHILDREN WHO PUSHED ME FROM YOUR PLACE

LOOK AT THE WORLD I GAVE TO YOU TO GUARD AND CARE FOR WELL

LOOK AT YOUR BODIES, TEMPLES OF SOULS, UNKNOWING THAT THEY'VE FAILED

I LOANED ALL THINGS TO YOU MY CHILDREN, SOMETHING BORROWED IN THE END

WOULD YOU HAVE TREATED A LOAN SO POORLY IF IT CAME NOT FROM YOUR FATHER,

BUT FROM A FRIEND

THE TORMENTED SISTER

ONE OF THESE DAYS, BOY I'LL SHOW HIM

FROM HIS DEEP GREEN EYES TO HIS DIMPLED CHIN

HE THINKS HE CAN COME AND PUSH ME DOWN

HE TREATS ME LIKE A STUPID CLOWN

HE CALLS ME BABY, HE SAYS I'M DUMB

RIGHT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE

SOMEDAY HE'LL WISH THAT HE'D BEEN NICE

I'LL BE A QUEEN , THAT WILL SUFFICE

HE LAUGHS AT ME AND MAKES ME STUTTER

AND STILL I'M CURSED WITH A BIG BROTHER

LITTLE CHICKS

TEN LITTLE CHICKENS STARTED TO SCRATCH

FOOD THEY DESIRED, STRAIGHT FROM THE HATCH

WORK IF YOU WANT IT, SLAVE FOR A MEAL

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T THERE'S NO ONE WHO WILL

TEN LITTLE CHICKENS SEARCH ALL AROUND

FOR A SMALL MORSEL OF FOOD ON THE GROUND

DILIGENT CHICKS, THEIR REWARD IS IN SIGHT

TEN FAT WORMS NOT ESCAPING THEIR PLIGHT

AS THESE CHICKS DO, AN EXAMPLE TO ALL

TO LEARN A GOOD LESSON YOU'RE NEVER TO SMALL

HAIR

SHOULD IT STAY OR SHOULD IT GO

CUT IT SHORT OR HAVE A FRO

LONG AND STRAIGHT, CURLED UP TIGHT

IF ONLY I KNEW, IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT

SHORT AND SPIKED, BOBBED OR BOWED

I NEED A CHANGE, MY STYLES SO OLD

PERMED AND ROLLED, BRAIDED BACK

I'M GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK!

SHAVE IT OFF AND GO AROUND BALD

EVERYONE WOULD BE SO APPAULD

IF I DON'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO WEAR IT

I'M GOING TO PULL OUT MY HAIR, I SWEAR IT

CONQUERED BY A LITTLE SCRATCHING

A PRINCESS ONCE WAS SENT TO SAVE THE PEOPLE SHE HELD DEAR

IN A LONELY MEADOW SHE WOULD DIE, A SACRIFICE WITHOUT FEAR

A DRAGONS MEAL TO SAVE THEM ALL FROM ITS MIGHTY CLAWS

THAT THEY MIGHT NOT BE CRUSHED BETWEEN IT'S MIGHTY JAWS

SHE HEARD THE BEASTS APPROACH, HIS BREATH A HORRID STENCH

HE SAW THE MORSEL TENDER HER LIFE FROM HER HE'D WRENCH

SHE BEGGED HIM STOP, PERHAPS SHE COULD PROVIDE A NEEDED THING

TO THIS MIGHTY BEAST WITH FLOWING GOSSAMER WING

IT WAS AN ITCH HE COULD NOT REACH HIGH ATOP HIS HEAD

GENTLY THE PRINCESS TOUCHED THERE, FILLED WITH DEEPEST DREAD

SOON HER FEAR SUBSIDED, A SMILE BRIGHTENED HER FACE

THE DRAGON, LIKE A KITTEN PURRED, AT HER KIND EMBRACE

AND SO IS THE STORY OF THE FAIR MAID THAT WON OVER A DRAGON

IT GOES TO SHOW THAT SOMETIMES FEARS ARE CONQUERED BY A LITTLE SCRATCHING

SUNSETS

SUNSETS ARE SO GLORIOUS

THEIR COLORS ARE VICTORIOUS

THEY GLOW WITH BEAUTY IN EVERY WAY

AND THEY'RE THERE EVERY EVENING OF EVERY DAY

I WISH I COULD KEEP ONE FOREVER

I'D NEVER LET IT GO, NOT EVER

LOVE

LOVE IS SOMETHING YOU MUST STRIVE FOR

IT IS SOMETHING MANY DIE FOR

WE'RE IT NOT FOR LOVE, EARTH WOULD BE A DESOLATE PLACE

YOU COULD NOT LOOK ANY PERSON IN THE FACE

LOVE IS SOMETHING ALL PEOPLE HAVE TO

ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY IS, I LOVE YOU

IF I MET A DRAGON

IF I MET A DRAGON I WOULD CALMLY STATE

MY TASTE WOULD BE TO BITTER, WHICH HE'D SURELY HATE

I WOULD ASK HIM KINDLY NOT TO GET UPSET

AND I WOULD BE THINKING THAT I WISH WE'D NEVER MET

I WOULD TELL HIM HE IS OF A NOBLE BREED

THAN AS IF I WE'RE A BEGGAR, FOR MY LIFE I'D PLEAD

AND IF HE WOULD NOT LISTEN AND WOULD STILL HAVE ME FOR HIS MEAL

I WOULD STAND WITH DIGNITY AND HEAD UP HIGH

FOR THAT IS HOW I WISH TO IF SURELY I MUST DIE

I HOPE I NEVER MEET A DRAGON, I’M SURE I NEVER WILL

BUT IT’S NICE TO BE PREPARED IF IT’S I THE BEAST WOULD KILL

RELATIONSHIPS

HE WAS A YOUNG AND GALLANT MAN WHO LIVED UPON THE SEA.

A TRADERS SON, AN HONOR TO ALL, THE BEST THAT HE COULD BE

ONE CRYSTAL MORN A TEMPTRESS ROSE UPON A MOONBEAM WAVE

ENTICING THE YOUNG JOURNEY MAN, SHE SWEPT HIS HEART AWAY.

A PEACEFUL ISLE FOR THE LOVERS TWO, BECAME THEIR NEW FOUND HOME.

THE SEAFARING MAN OF NEWFOUND LAND KNEW HE'D NEVER BE ALONE

HIS FATHER WEPT GREAT TEARS OF SORROW, HIS HEART BEGAN TO BREAK

BUT IN HIS HAPPINESS, HIS LOST SON, NO HOMEWARD COURSE DID TAKE.

THE TRADER DIED A BROKEN MAN, ALONE WITHOUT HIS SON

THE DASHING MAN OF NEWFOUND LAND LIVED WITH HIS TREASURED ONE.

SOMETIMES THE HAPPINESS OF THE CHILD MAY HARM THE PARENTS HEART

YET IT IS TRUE SOMEDAY THE TWO EVENTUALLY WILL PART.

GIRAFFES

GIRAFFES ARE SO DARN STRANGE

THEY CAN'T MAKE UP THEIR MINDS

DO THEY LIKE THE TENDER ORANGE

OR JUST ITS HARDENED RINDS?

THE OTHER DAY WHILE SHOPPING

I SAW ONE LOOKING AT GRAPES

RED OR GREEN HE DIDN'T KNOW

THEIR EVEN WORSE THAN APES.

THE RED ONES WERE TO ROUND

THE GREEN ONES WERE TO SMALL

I'D CERTAINLY BE SURPRISED

IF HE GOT ANY GRAPES AT ALL.

NEXT TIME YOU SEE THEM WALKING

DON'T STOP AND TALK TO ONE

YOU'LL NEVER GET AWAY FROM HIM

HE WON'T KNOW WHEN HE'S DONE.

IF I WERE A WARRIOR

I WOULD CONQUER SETH.

I WOULD FIGHT HIS EVIL WAYS,

EVEN UNTIL DEATH.

I WOULD BANISH SORCERY

AND ALL ITS MYSTIC WAYS

I WOULD BOW TO THE HIGHEST ONE,

AND GIVE HIM ALL MY PRAISE.

IF I WERE A WARRIOR

I WOULD FIGHT FOR RIGHT

I WOULD LOVE THE LORD,

FOR HE IS GRACE AND MIGHT

I WOULD BEAT THE DEMONS

OF THAT EVIL BEAST.

FOR GOD IS TRULY THE GREATEST

AND LUCIFER THE LEAST

IF I WERE A WARRIOR

WHICH I TRULY AM

I WOULD DO THE BEST I COULD

AND TRY TO BE LIKE HIM!

DEATHS JOY

A CHILD'S TEARS GENTLY FALL AS POISONOUS DROPS OF ALCOHOL

DEATH HAS WON AGAIN AND LAUGHS IN MORBID JUBILATION

FOR THE SMALLEST VICTIM OF YET ANOTHER DRIVING DRUNK

HAS JOINED HIS SWELLING THRONGS.

AND YET THE DRUNK WITH ALL HIS PRESSING GUILT CONTINUES TO LIVE ON.

THEY?

THEY PRESSED UPON THE SHOULDERS OF A SOUL, ONCE GOSSAMER AND PURE

THEY TORE IT WITH THEIR SELFISH LIES AND STAINED IT WITH DARK TEARS.

THEY GAVE THE PLEASURE OF THE MOMENT AND LEFT THE HORROR OF ETERNAL PAIN

THEY RACKED A SOUL ONCE PURE AND WHITE, LEAVING IT NO HOPE OF GAIN

THEY TOOK IT'S PRIDE, ITS LOVE, ITS JOY, AND LEFT IT RIPPED AND BOUND

THEY LAUGHED AS THE ONCE VIRGIN SOUL LIE STRIPPED AND WOUNDED ON THE GROUND.

THEY ARE CRUEL, IT HAS BEEN SAID, THAT COULD DO THIS TO ONE ONCE CLEAR AND BRIGHT.

THEY ARE NOT TO BLAME, BY CHOICE, THE CLEAR MIST OF PURITY FORSAKE ITS LIGHT

THEY FED ON THE WEAKNESS OF ONE SO FLAWLESS TRICKED INTO THEIR SEDUCTION

THEY TORE AWAY THE ESSENCE OF GRACE, INSTILLING SINS CORRUPTION.

THEY SMILED AS THE TRANSPARENT SPIRIT CRIED OUT, MY TIME HAS COME

THEY EXALTED IN ITS DESTRUCTION, REMEMBER, IF WE CAN SAVE BUT ONE.

THE SPECK

IF I WERE A BIT OF SAND WASHED OUT INTO THE SEA,

WOULD I FIND TRANQUIL REST BENEATH A GREAT PALM TREE.

WOULD I DREAM OF FUTURE PEARLS, BEAUTY THAT MAY BECOME OF ME.

OR WOULD A NIGHTMARE CAST ITS SHADOW ON MY HEART SO I MAY WISH TO FLEE.

I WANT TO BE A PEARL BRIGHT AND DWELL, AND LIVE, AND BE.

SO FAR I AM A SPECK OF SAND, POTENTIAL SHIMMERING, MY EYES CAN SEE.

DRUGS

A BULBOUS WRAITH SAT ON A WEB OF SILKEN STRANDS OF WHITE

IN PATIENCE HOW IT WAITED THERE, TILL IT'D SUP' IN PURE DELIGHT

OH DEVIL OF A GOSSAMER WEB, HOW YOU SIT AND PONDER

ON THE SWEET ECSTASY OF YOUR PREY, IN YOUR WEB TO WANDER

AN INNOCENT OF THE WORLD NOT KNOWING YOU ARE EVIL

TO TASTE YOUR VENOM IS SAME AS DEATH, ANOTHER VICTIM FEEBLE

STAY AWAY, OH FANGED HORRID BEAST, FROM THE ONES I LOVE

MAY YOU SUFFER HELLISH WRATH, FROM THOSE YOU HURT ABOVE.

A DROP OF WATER...

A DROP OF WATER RUNNING DOWN, FALLING FROM AN EYE.

HOLDS MORE EMOTION AND SENTIMENT THAN MILLIONS FROM THE SKY

A GRAIN OF WHEAT FOR A STARVING CHILD, TO FILL AN EMPTY SPACE

HOLDS MORE FULFILLMENT OF PAINFUL VOID THAN GRAINS POURED OUT FOR TASTE

A MORSEL OF CARE FOR ONE, USED TO FILL A BROKEN HEART

MEANS MORE THAN A THOUSAND KISSES FALLING ON A BITTER MARK.

A GENTLE TOUCH, A KIND WORD, MEANS MORE TO THOSE IN NEED

THAN LAVISH WORDS AND CARESSES TO GLUTTONOUS SPOILED SEED.

THE TORMENT

I HAVE A BIG ORANGE BUTTON UPON MY LONG BLUE COAT.

AND IF I HAD MY WAY I'D THROW IT IN A MOAT.

MY MOTHER THINKS ITS CUTE AND SUITS MY IVORY HAIR

MY FATHER THINKS ITS SMASHING AND LOVES TO SEE IT THERE

MY BROTHER LAUGHS AND JEERS ME "WHAT A BIG ORANGE BALL"

AND IF I HAD A BLOODY CHOICE IT SHANT BE THEIR AT ALL

I HAVE A BIG ORANGE BUTTON UPON MY LONG BLUE COAT.

INSTEAD OF WEARING THE BLASTED THING I'D RATHER WEAR A GOAT.

PAUL

STAND BEHIND THE WALL

WATCH YOUR MOTHER CALL

RUN FAST AND DON'T FALL

WAY OFF TO THE MALL

WHAT A BAD BOY PAUL

YOU'RE NO GOOD AT ALL

DON'T YOU TRY TO STALL

GO STRAIGHT DOWN THE HALL

RIGHT IN YOUR ROOM TO BAWL.

FIRST DATE

ON THAT DAY WHEN YOU CALLED ME

I SAID THANK YOU BUT I'M BUSY

NEXT YOU SAID MAYBE NEXT TIME

I SAID YES THAT WOULD BE DIVINE

YOU WALKED WITH ME RIGHT OUTSIDE

AND ASKED ME OUT, I DO NOT LIE

I SAID 0K THAT WILL BE GREAT

BEFORE THE TIME OF OUR PLANNED DATE

YOU CALLED AND SAID A MOVIE PERHAPS

I SAID 0K ONLY TWO HOURS LAPSED

ARACHNOPHOBIA WAS THE ONE WE SAW

THE DATE CAME ON WITHOUT A FLAW

NOW A YEAR AND EVEN ALMOST TWO

I VOWED TO LOVE, TO WED UNTO YOU

DEAR RAYMOND YOU HAVE STOLEN MY HEART

FROM YOU I SHALL NOT EVER DEPART

YOU ARE FOR ME YOU FIT LIKE A GLOVE

TO YOU ETERNALLY I SWEAR TO LOVE

OH CHERISHED ONE DESIRE YOU I DO

FOREVER I SHALL ONLY LOVE YOU.

MY BOOK

AS I TURN THE TATTERED PAGES OF MY BOOK OF DRAGON LORE

BITS OF DUST RISE FROM ITS BINDING AND FALL UNHINDERED TO THE FLOOR

I READ OF KNIGHTS WITH UNBOUND COURAGE AND THEIR NOBLEMAN'S REPORE.

GONE TO SAVE A PRETTY MAIDEN, TIED AND CHAINED BY DRAGONS DOOR

WITH DEFT QUICKNESS AND SERENITY, HE TRIES TO FIGHT THE EVIL BOAR

BUT THE DRAGON WITH ONE SLASH, THE MIGHTY KNIGHTS RED BLOOD DID POUR

AND THE MAID SCREAMING, HELPLESS, TAKEN TO WHERE ALL DEPLORE.

IN THE TAVERN OF THE CREATURE TO EXIST AT ALL NO MORE

SO THE DEMON REMAINS UNBEATEN, THE LAND IS CURSED ALL THE MORE

PRETTY MAIDEN, PURE BRAVE KNIGHT, HOLD A TALE THAT ALL ADORE

BUT THE WICKED SNAKE THAT SLITHERS, SHALL BE LOVED NEVER MORE

AND THE LAND THAT HE CURSETH HOLD ADVENTURE YET IN STORE.

FREDDIE

THERE WAS A BEAR NAMED FREDDIE

HE WANTED TO BE CALLED TEDDY

BUT HE WAS A FRED,

SURELY NOT A TED

I'M SORRY HE JUST WASN'T READY,

HE'S JUST GONNA HAVE TO BE FREDDIE.

ZERO

ZERO IS MAGICAL, IT'S NOT A NUMBER, IT'S NOT A NAME, IT'S NOTHING,

I'D LIKE TO FEEL NOTHING NOW,

I FEEL A PAIN DEEP IN MY HEART, OF ANGER, GUILT AND SORROW.

BECAUSE YOUR WORDS HAVE CUT ME DEEP, A WOUND THAT'S SLOW TO HEAL.

ZERO IS MAGICAL, IT'S NOT A NUMBER, IT'S NOT A NAME, IT'S NOTHING.

I'D LIKE TO FEEL NOTHING NOW.

MY PRIDE HAS FAILED ME YET MERCY'S SLOW, NO RELIEF'S IN STORE.

I BEG FOR LOVE, I BEG FOR NOTHING, YET ALL THAT'S THERE IS ANGUISH.

ZERO IS MAGICAL, IT'S NOT A NUMBER, IT'S NOT A NAME, IT'S NOTHING.

I'D LIKE TO FEEL NOTHING NOW, YET NOTHING IS NOWHERE IN SIGHT.

AN ARTIST

WHEN I WAS A GIRL AND A WISH COULD FLEE

FROM MY HEART INTO THE WORLD I WISHED THAT I COULD BE

AN ARTIST,

NOW I AM A WOMAN I FEEL JUST LIKE THAT GIRL,

AND I WOULD SACRIFICE DIAMOND, GOLD AND PEARL

TO BE AN ARTIST

AFTER I AM DUST AND MY SOUL IS WITH MY LORD

PERHAPS HE WILL TURN TO ME, A SMILE ON ME TO POUR

AND BE HIS ARTIST.

THANK HEAVEN FOR THE TIME WHEN YOUNG WE WISH AND DREAM,

SO IN MY LIFE I LOOK AT ME AND INDEED I SEEM

TO BE AN ARTIST.

SIMON SAYS

SIMON SAYS BE HUMBLE

SIMON SAYS BE QUICK,

TO DO SOMETHING RIGHTEOUS

RIGHT WHEN THINGS GET THICK.

SIMON SAYS HAVE VIRTUE

SIMON SAYS BE TRUE

HAVE FAITH IN THOSE AROUND,

BUT MOST OF ALL IN YOU.

SIMON SAYS BE HONEST

SIMON SAYS BE BRAVE

AND IN A HOLY BUILDING

REMEMBER TO BEHAVE.

SIMON SAYS TO DO, ALL YOU WANT TO BE

AND YOU WILL LIVE HAPPILY, THROUGH ETERNITY.

MY MOM

THESE EYES I LOOK INTO ARE BIG, CALM AND DEEP AND BROWN,

THE LIPS THAT KISS ARE ALWAYS THERE TO CHASE AWAY A FROWN

THOSE HANDS NOW OLDER, ARE STILL SOFT AND GENTLE, KIND AND STRONG

THAT VOICE OF CHERISHED TONE MUST BE FROM A HEAVENLY THRONG

THOSE EARS UNPIERCED BY CONTENT TRINKETS, ALWAYS THERE TO HEAR

THE WAILING'S OF ALL WHO SPEAK, THOSE CHILDREN SHE HOLDS DEAR

THIS PITIFUL BLANK DESCRIPTION IT DOTH AN ANGEL WRONG

FOR WHO KNOWS THE HEART OF HEAVEN? ALL KNOWEST WHO'VE MET MY MOM.

PESTILENCE

A QUEEN OF FAIRNESS AND CRYSTAL BLUE EYES SAT ON A THRONE OF ICE.

A GREAT KING OF GLORY AND HAIR OF FLAME SAT ON A THRONE OF FIRE

HE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CRYSTAL QUEEN SHE KNEW HIS LOVE WOULD SUFFICE

THEY MET IN A SILENT GROVE ON A SUMMER MORN TO TELL OF THEIR DESIRE

A THING CALLED PESTILENCE WAS THERE, ALSO, AND WANTING TO CAUSE PAIN

HE STIRRED UP JEALOUSY AND ANGER IN THE HEART OF THE ROYAL MAN

HE TOLD THE ICE QUEEN SHE'D BEEN UNTRUE, A LIE, AND IGNITED HER IN FLAME

SHE CRIED IN TORMENT AND HER SCREAMS WERE HEARD WITHIN HER LAND

PESTILENCE SMILED A GRUESOME SMILE, HE KNEW THAT HE HAD WON

THE KING OF FIRE HAD KILLED DESIRE THE ONE HE TRULY LOVED.

HE WEPT GREAT TEARS OF LOSS, UNABLE TO CHANGE WHAT HAD BEEN DONE

HE'D DESTROY HIS QUEEN OF GLACIERS, HIS LOVELY BRIDE, HIS BELOVED.

HER PEOPLE ROSE UP FROM THE CICLES TO FIGHT THE ARMIES OF THE FLAME

THE KING SOUGHT FORGIVENESS BUT TO NO AVAIL

AND HE MET THEM WITH UNSHEATHED SWORDS.

THE WARRIORS OF CRYSTAL ICE FOUGHT WELL BUT WARRIORS THEY WERE NOT

AND FELT THE BURNING PAIN.

THEY WERE OVERWHELMED BY FIRE AND CRUSHED BY THE FLAME KINGS HORDES

ONCE PEACEFUL, THE LAND, IT STANK, DEAD BODIES LAY AROUND.

THE KING OF MOLTEN ROCK AND FIRE CRIED OUT FOR HIS QUEEN

SHE WAS GONE THE FAIREST LADY TO WHICH HE HAD BEEN BOUND

AND PESTILENCE HAD TAKEN ONCE MORE, THEIR HAPPINESS, IT SEEMED!

RAINBOW RHYME

PINK PINK YOU STINK, YOU SMELL LIKE A ROTTEN SAUSAGE LINK

YELLOW YELLOW WHAT A FELLOW, YOU'RE AS FAT AS A FEATHER PILLOW

RED RED YOU WET THE BED, YOUR BLADDERS WEAKER THEN MY STUPID COUSIN TED

BLUE BLUE I'M GONNA SUE BECAUSE MY CAR YOU BROKE INTO

GREEN GREEN YOU COFFEE BEAN YOUR SO HIGH STRUNG ON THAT CAFFEINE

ORANGE ORANGE WHAT A PORANGE, WHAT THE DEVIL RHYMES WITH ORANGE

BLACK BLACK A HEART ATTACK, THAT'S WHAT YOU GIVE WHEN YOU LOOK BACK

WHITE WHITE STUPID FIGHT, YOUR EYES AS DARK A PUREST NIGHT

BROWN BROWN BLOW ME DOWN, YOUR AWFUL BREATH KNOCKS DOWN THE TOWN

COLORS COLORS RAINBOW PAINT, A PERFECT, PURE PRIME SAINT YOU AIN'T

OUR BROTHER

DROPS THAT GLIMMER RED AND DARK DROPPED FROM TENDER PORES

TEARS OF PAIN OF SALTY RAIN, FROM HIS EYES RAN MORE

CLASPING HANDS, VEINS OUT STAND, HIS KNUCKLES THEY TURNED WHITE

FOR ALL MEN HE SUFFERED THEN, ON THAT STARLIT NIGHT

DRENCHED IN SWEAT, THERE HE MET, HIS DEATH UPON THE HILL

LIFE RESTORED AS HE BORE ALL SIN, OUR HEARTS TO FILL.

HANDS

THESE TWO HANDS ARE AMAZING THINGS

THEY HAVE TEN FINGERS TO PLACE RINGS

THEY HAVE A PLACE YOU CAN CUP

TO POUR WATER AND FILL IT UP

THESE TWO HANDS ARE AMAZING THINS

THEY SEPARATE US AS HUMAN BEINGS.

THE BLESSED CHOICE

"YOUR NOT FROM AROUND HERE ARE YOU," QUESTIONED THE ELDERLY MAN WHO SAT

ON A CHAIR OUTSIDE THE POST OFFICE DOOR.

"NO, NOT YET,"SAID THE YOUNG BOY SMILING WITH ANGELS GRACE AT THE OLDER MAN.

"OH," PURSUED THE KIND GENTLEMAN. "ARE YOU VISITING SOMEONE?"

"WELL, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT, MORE LIKE I'M INVESTIGATING,"

THE BOY SPOKE THOUGHTFULLY.

"INVESTIGATING," EXCLAIMED THE MAN AS HE LAUGHED,"AREN'T YOU A BIT YOUNG

TO BE A POLICE MAN?" HE CHUCKLED.

"OH NO," SMILED THE BOY,"I'M NOT A POLICE MAN, HONESTLY I'M JUST A SPIRIT

LOOKING FOR SOME NICE EARTHLY PARENTS. FATHER SAID I COULD CHOOSE THEM MYSELF."

THIS CAUSED THE ELDERLY POST OFFICE KEEPER TO GO INTO HYSTERICS.

"OH THAT WAS A GOOD ONE, NEXT THING YOUR GOING TO TELL ME IS YOUR FROM MARS."

"SIR,"QUESTION THE BOY. "DO YOU HAVE A WIFE?"
"SURE DO SHE'S A CUTIE TOO, HAD HER BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY, SHE JUST TURNED 66."

"DO YOU HAVE ANY CHILDREN?"

"NOPE" STATED THE MAN SADLY "NEVER COULD. SAY WHY ALL THE QUESTIONS?"

"YOU'LL MAKE A FINE EARTHLY DAD!" EXCLAIMED THE BOY. THEN HE

DISAPPEARED BEFORE THE OLD MANS EYES. "SEE YOU IN NINE MONTHS,"

SAID THE UNSEEN BOY.

THE OLD MAN STARED, BEWILDERED, AT THE SPOT WHERE THE BOY HAD STOOD.

HE SAT IN SILENCE FOR A FEW MOMENTS THEN, UNABLE TO SHAKE THE FEELINGS

WELLING UP INSIDE, BEGAN TO SPRINT HOME AS HE DID WHEN HE WAS YOUNG.

HE STARTED SHOUTING AS HE ENTERED HIS HOUSE

"WHAT'S ALL THE RUCKUS, PA?"

"WELL, MA, HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU!"

ANYONE

NO ONE DID IT, NO ONE SAID, NO ONE WAITED, NO ONE FED, NO ONE DANCED

SO NO ONE SANG,

NO ONE THE LONELY BELL RANG, NO ONE SAID A SMALL HELLO, NO ONE CAME

SO NO ONE WILL GO, NO ONE CARED, NO ONE LOVED SO

NO ON KNEW WHAT ANY ONE WAS.

MY BROTHER

I HAVE A BROTHER WHO'S ALONE DOWN IN THE DUSTY SOUTH

HIS EYES OF BLUE, DARK HAIR AND BROW AND A ROSY MOUTH

HE'S KIND AND CARING, HE OFTEN CALLS AND ASKS HOW THINGS ARE GOIN'

HE'S SILLY AND FUN IN FRONT OF EVERYONE, EVEN IF A BURDEN HE'S PULLIN

SOMETIMES I WISH HE WEREN'T ALONE, WHY NOT COME BE WITH ME.

A SISTER SURELY AIN'T NO WIFE, BUT I'D BE GOOD COMPANY.

YET STILL HIS ELECTRIC BOX OF DOS, WINDOWS AND OF BUGS

HIS HOBBY, HIS WORK, HIS FRIEND, HE CONTINUES THIS WITH A SHRUG

PLEASE TELL HIM THAT I LOVE HIM, LET HIM KNOW I CARE

HIS FRIENDSHIP I DO CHERISH, HIS DREAMS I'LL ALWAYS SHARE.

THE WHAT?

HE WAS JUST A YOUNG LAD WHO'D GONE DOWN TO THE DOCK

A COOL SUMMER'S EVE SO HE WENT FOR A WALK

WHEN OUT OF THE SEA CLIMBED A GREAT SLIMY THING,

WHO WAS CRUEL AND ORNERY AND REALLY QUITE MEAN

IT WAS UGLY AND GREEN WITH HUGE DROOPY RED EYES

AND EVERY HUMAN BEING HE SAID HE DESPISED

HOW AMAZING, CRIED THE BOY WHEN IT HAD FINISHED

YOU KNOW EVERYONE IN THE WORLD AND US ALL YOU'D DIMINISH

EVERY BABE, EVERY WOMAN, EVERY TYPE A PERSON

YOU MET EVERYONE AND THEM ALL NONE, COULD WORSEN

"I'VE NOT MET THEM ALL I'VE ONLY MET YOU."

"WELL," SAID THE BOY "I THINK ITS A CLUE."

"FOR IF MEETING ME MAKES YOU THINK SO OF MAN

I WILL TRY TO CHANGE AND BE BETTER THAN I AM"

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT"AND THE THING FAIRLY SHOUTED.

"I'VE DECIDED MYSELF." AND IT WENT OFF AND POUTED.

"WELL YOU'RE JUST A FOOL," SAID THE BOY TO THE BEAST

TO PREJUDGE A RACE BEFORE MEETING IT'S LEAST."

AND WITH THAT THE BOY MADE A FACE AT THE CREATURE

AND IT CRIED AND WENT HOME WITH QUITE TWISTED FEATURES

FOR IT HAD LEARNED FROM SUCH A SMALL SIMPLE BEING

JUDGE NOT ALL AS ONE FOR FALSE JUDGMENT CAN STING.

LAUGHTER

A SMILE CRACKED HIS PERFECT LIPS SO LUSH, AND SOFTLY PINK

CRINKLES APPEARED UNDER LIQUID BLUE EYES SO PRECIOUSLY DISTINCT,

FLUSHED CHEEKS, SO ROUND AND TENDER, DIMPLED WITH THE SMILING MOTION

AS HANDS DIPPED IN THE SALTY WATERS OF THE GLASSY OCEAN

TANNED LEGS, WITH GRACE, DASHED QUICKLY THROUGH THE GENTLE WAVES

NOTHING IS SO VICTORIOUS AS A CHILD IN JUBILANT PLAY.

A PLEA FROM A CREATURE

HERE I SIT BELOW THE WAVES

GENTLY PASSING MANY DAYS

MY HOME SO TRANQUIL, LOVELY TO ME

MY PUREST EXISTENCE BELOW THE SEA.

SOMETIMES THOUGHT'S COME INTO MY MIND

WOULD IT BE FUN TO BE OF HUMAN KIND

THAN I DISMISS THOSE ERIE DREAMS

THE OCEANS MY HOME FOREVER IT SEEMS

THE SUN FILTERS DOWN IN SPARKLING RAYS

IT WAKES ME FROM NAPPING WITH ITS GOLDEN GAZE

COOL WATER SURROUNDS AND PRESSES AGAINST ME

BEAUTY AT LENGTH, HOW I LOVE TO FEEL FREE.

MY UNCHARTED BEACH, UNSPOILED BY MAN

PITY THAT THERE'S ONE WHO CAN SAVE IT, YOU CAN.

HUMANS SO STRANGE, HOW THEY DESTROY THEIR LIVES

ONLY THEY CAN SAVE THOSE CAUGHT WITHIN THEIR STRIFE

HOW I DREAM THEY WILL LEAVE THIS PLANET CALLED EARTH

CREATURES LONG DESTROYED MY BEGIN A REBIRTH

YET STILL IT SEEMS THEIR BLACK HEARTS ARE SET

ARMAGEDDON NOW CLOSER, OUR DESTINY'S MET

SO THANK YOU, OH HUMANS, FOR HATE, PAIN AND WARS

THE LIVES YOU ENDANGER, IT'S YOU THEY DEPLORE.

HOPE

GRAY COBWEBS FORM WITHIN MY EYES, THEIR COLOR FADES AWAY

THE SUNSHINE OF HIGHEST NOON, ONLY DULLS THE DAY

WHAT IS THIS CHAIN THAT BINDS, IT WRAPS AROUND MY HANDS

THE HEAVY WEIGHT UPON MY BACK, CAUSES STRESS IN BANDS

I LAY BACK BUT DO NOT REST, PEACE IS FAR FROM HERE.

TENSE , MY MUSCLES ACHE WITHIN, I DO NOT SHED A TEAR.

PERHAPS THE WARMTH OF DEEPEST NIGHT, WILL CALM MY VERY SOUL

IF ONLY YOU WOULD HOLD ME CLOSE, YOU'D MAKE THIS EMPTY FULL.

SOMETIMES I HOLD OUT MY HAND, IT LINGERS THERE UNTAKEN.

AFFECTION IT IS LIKE A DRUG WITHOUT IT I AM SHAKEN.

PLEASE DON'T IGNORE MY SILENT PLEAS, LOVE ME TO THE END

I CAN'T SAY SO YOU'LL UNDERSTAND, YOUR HEART WILL YOU PLEASE LEND.

I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN TRULY SEE HOW SO FILLED I FEEL SO BARE.

YOU ARE MY LIFE MY HUSBAND, HANDSOME, AND ALWAYS LOVINGLY FAIR

JUST LOVE ME AND TOUCH ME AND NEVER LET ME GO

OPEN YOUR HEART TO THIS RHYME AND ME YOU'LL SURELY KNOW.

TIMES PAST

TREES OF BARENESS LEAVE MY HEART.

SADDENED FEELINGS, I PRAY, DEPART.

BRING MY SMILE BACK TO ME,

HAPPY IS ALL I WANT TO BE

CHISEL MY HEART OUT OF THE ICE

WARM IT WITH LOVE THAT WILL SUFFICE

TO MAKE ME LAUGH AND GRIN TODAY

PERHAPS TOMORROW I'LL CONTINUE TO PLAY.

HELP ME FRIEND OH HEAR MY PLEAS

GIVE ME JOY, TO FILL MY NEEDS.

FILL MY SOUL WITH JOYOUS SONG

THAT I CAN HUM ALL DAY LONG.

GEORGIE

GEORGIE PORDGIE PUDDING AND PIE TOOK SOMEONE'S CANDY AND PUNCHED HIM IN THE EYE

WHAT A BRAGGART WHAT A BRUT HE PUNCHED THEM OUT AND TOOK THEIR LOOT.

GEORGIE PORDGIE PUDDIN AND PIE

I BET EVERYONE JUST WISHES YOU'D DIE.

LISA

LISA PIZZA PUDDIN AND PIE

KISSED THE BOYS WHO NEVER CRIED

BUT IN JOY AT BEING KISSED

BY A LISA, KISS THEY'D WISH

LISA PIZZA PUDDIN AND PIE

KISSED THE BOYS AND MADE 'EM SIGH

KISS AGAIN AND THEY'LL ALL FLY

LISA PIZZA PUDDIN AND PIE

OUR BROTHER

DROPS THAT GLIMMER RED AND DARK DROPPED FROM TENDER PORES

TEARS OF PAIN OF SALTY RAIN, FROM HIS EYES RAN MORE

CLASPING HANDS, VEINS OUT STAND, HIS KNUCKLES THEY TURNED WHITE

FOR ALL MEN HE SUFFERED THEN, ON THAT STARLIT NIGHT

DRENCHED IN SWEAT, THERE HE MET, HIS DEATH UPON THE HILL

LIFE RESTORED AS HE BORE ALL SIN, OUR HEARTS TO FILL.

MY FATE

I AM BOUND BY ROPES OF STRIFE

I'M CAGED BY MALICE AND HATE

I'VE BEEN TARNISHED IN THE FIGHT

TO FOLLOW MY ONLY TRUE FATE

I TRY TO BREAK THE BONDS THAT HOLD

WRONG CHOICES THAT I'VE MADE

I WANT TO FIT PERFECTION'S MOLD

AND CHOOSE THE PATH WELL LAID

AS TIME PASSES I STILL REMAIN

HERE IN MY TEARS OF SORROW

MY PAST A HORRID UGLY STAIN

ON MY PUREST WHITE TOMORROW

HATE

A TEAR THAT IS THE LIFE BLOOD OF ME

FELL FROM MY EYE AND RAN TO THE SEA.

A COLD TEAR OF ICE THAT HAD FORMED

THERE IN DEEPEST HASTE

SHOWED ALL THE WORLD

OF MY LONELY HEARTS DISTASTE

FOR YOU WHO HAD TAKEN MY SOUL

AND CHOKED IT IN YOUR FIST

TO HURT YOU, TEAR YOUR LOVE AWAY,

IS MY DEEPEST WISH

BUT NOW YOU'RE GONE

YOUR PLAGUE OF LIES WITH YOU

AND MAY YOU KNOW THE HATE IN ME

OH I KNOW YOU DO.

DAD

OH, WHEN YOU LEFT THAT DAY FOR A BETTER PLACE

TEARS OF PAIN AND SORROW STREAKED, MY TEENAGE FACE

STILL NOW WHEN I THINK OF YOU, PAIN TEARS AT MY HEART

AND IF I COULD SAY ONE LAST THING, BEFORE WE HAD TO PART

I'D SAY...

DAD, I SURE MISS YOU, OH HOW I CARE

MY LOVE, MY HEART, YOU'LL ETERNALLY SHARE

PLEASE ALWAYS LOVE ME, PLEASE BE MY FRIEND

WITH YOU IN MY SOUL, I'LL ENDURE TILL THE END

THAN I'LL BE WITH YOU TO DWELL THERE IN LOVE

AND HAPPINESS WILL FILL THE HEAVENS ABOVE

IF YOU COULD HEAR THAT CALM WOULD ENVELOP ME

AS DO THE WATERS OF THE CRYSTALLINE SEA

HAPPINESS WOULD BE MINE, THE PAIN, IT WOULD PASS

THAN YOU COULD SPEAK TO ME, YES DAD, AT LAST

I'D SAY...

DAD, I SURE MISS YOU, OH HOW I CARE

MY LOVE, MY HEART, YOU'LL ETERNALLY SHARE

PLEASE ALWAYS LOVE ME, PLEASE BE MY FRIEND

WITH YOU IN MY SOUL, I'LL ENDURE TILL THE END

THAN I'LL BE WITH YOU TO DWELL THERE IN LOVE

AND HAPPINESS WILL FILL THE HEAVENS ABOVE

NOW WHEN YOU LOOK DOWN, FROM YOUR HEAVENLY HEIGHTS

DO YOU FEEL PROUD OF ME, AS SORROW I FIGHT

DO YOU STILL LIKE ME AND WHAT I'VE BECOME

FOR A FATHER LIKE YOU, THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE

DAD, I SURE MISS YOU, OH HOW I CARE

MY LOVE, MY HEART, YOU'LL ETERNALLY SHARE

PLEASE ALWAYS LOVE ME, PLEASE BE MY FRIEND

WITH YOU IN MY SOUL, I'LL ENDURE TILL THE END

THAN I'LL BE WITH YOU TO DWELL THERE IN LOVE

AND HAPPINESS WILL FILL THE HEAVENS ABOVE

SO DAD, NEXT TIME YOU SEE ME, GIVE ME A SMILE

AND STAY AND WE'LL HUG, IF NOT JUST FOR A WHILE

FOR YOU TAUGHT ME KINDNESS AND KNOWLEDGE IN LIFE

THE LOSS I NOW FEEL IS A MORTALS OWN STRIFE

DAD, I SURE MISS YOU, OH HOW I CARE

MY LOVE, MY HEART, YOU'LL ETERNALLY SHARE

PLEASE ALWAYS LOVE ME, PLEASE BE MY FRIEND

WITH YOU IN MY SOUL, I'LL ENDURE TILL THE END

THAN I'LL BE WITH YOU TO DWELL THERE IN LOVE

AND HAPPINESS WILL FILL THE HEAVENS ABOVE

I LOVE THE LORD

I LOVE THE LORD, MY GOD,

I LOVE THE SAVIOR TOO.

I CANNOT HELP BUT THINK

OF HOW HE DIED FOR ME AND YOU.

HE WALKED OUT TO THE CRYSTALLINE SEA

RIGHT OUT UPON THE SAND

OF GALILEE HE CHOSE HIS FLOCKS

WHO WERE MERE FISHERMEN

OH, TO BE A FISHERMAN, TO

WALK WITH GODS OWN SON

TO LIVE IN LIGHT AND BLESS ALL MEN

THAT SIN MIGHT BE UNDONE.

CHRIST, MY LORD, MY LIFE I GIVE

UNTO THY HOLINESS

THAT I AND MINE WILL LIVE IN PEACE

THAT YOU MAY US ALL BLESS.

ZACHARY

ZACHARY IS A LITTLE BABE.

HE CRIES AND SCREAMS AND LAUGHS

HE PLAYS ALONE THERE WITH HIS TOYS

AND LOVES WHEN HE TAKES BATHS

THE FIGHT

WHY DOES LOVE FILL MY HEART AT THE TOUCH OF HIS GENTLE GAZE

EACH PASSING MOMENT I FIGHT THE FALL, YET PLUNGE DEEPER INTO GREAT, BLUE WAVES

LOVE SEEMS TO FALL UPON MY HEART, CARESSING DROPS OF RAIN

I FIGHT THE TASTE OF THE SWEETEST FRUIT FOR THE EMPTINESS OF PAIN

SO WHY DOES LOVE WARM MY SOUL WHERE BEFORE LURKED ONLY THE SEMBLANCE OF ICE

SHOVE IT!

WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO OR TRIES TO DRAG YOU DOWN, YOUR BOSS,

YOUR MATE OR EVEN A FRIEND, SIMPLY TURN TO THEM AND SWEETLY SAY:

I AM ON THE STEPPING STONE IN THE DEEPEST PART OF THE CROSSING,

BUT WHEN I REACH THE SHALLOWS OR EVEN SOLID GROUND I SHALL RUN VERY SWIFTLY

AND NONE WILL BE ABLE TO STOP ME.

IN OTHER WORDS

SHOVE IT!

CRAYONS (ZACHARY)

RAINBOW STICKS OF SHINNY WAX, STRAIGHT, A PERFECT TOY

FUN FOR HOURS, WITHOUT PAPER, FOR THIS PARTICULAR BOY

HE DOESN’T DRAW, HE JUST HOLDS THEM IN HIS TINY HANDS

TALKING SOFTLY TO THEM IN WORDS ONLY HE UNDERSTANDS

HE IS A CHILD THINKING DEEPLY, THOUGHTS WE’LL NEVER KNOW

CRAYONS, HIS PLAYMATES, BROKEN, SCARES OF USE THEY SHOW

AND HE LOVES THEM AS A TREASURE, SMILES THEM HE SENDS

HAPPY TILL THE CRAYONS ARE GONE, A QUIET PLAYTIME ENDS

NOISE, NOISE, NOISE

THERE ARE THINGS EVERYWHERE THAT MAKE ALL KINDS OF NOISE

POPPING BALLOONS, BOYS AND GIRLS AND TONS OF GAMES AND TOYS

BUGS MAKE SO MUCH NOISE THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE STOMP ‘EM

THAT’S WHY BUGS THAT GET ON PEOPLE JUST OPEN UP AND CHOMP ‘EM

ANIMALS MAKE NOISE TO, SQUEALS, MEOWS AND YELPS

IF THEY ALL TALK AT ONCE YOUR EARS MIGHT YELL FOR HELP

SOME OF THE NICEST NOISE IS MADE WHEN MUSIC'S PLAYED

AND SOMETIMES BIRDS AND BUGS SING IN THEIR BIRD, BUG WAY

LOTS OF TIMES THE SKY MAKES SOUNDS WHEN IT SPRINKLES RAIN

IT’S SCARY BUT YOU KNOW THE SUN WILL SOON COME OUT AGAIN

SOMETIMES IF YOU REALLY TRY YOU CAN MAKE NOISE TO

SCREAM AND YELL OUTSIDE SO YOUR MOM WON’T BE MAD AT YOU

NEXT TIME YOU GO OUT, JUST SEE WHAT YOU CAN HEAR

A SPLASH IN A CREEK, A BREEZE OR A SWEET BIRD THAT’S NEAR

SHAKA

SHAKA WAS A LONELY BOY A RULER OVER MEN.

HE SAT UPON AN ICY THROWN AND GOVERNED OVER THEM.

ON A MOONLIT SLEEPLESS WINTERS NIGHT

SHAKA LOOKED IN SORROW

OUT INTO THE STARLESS NIGHT

AND BEGGED FOR PEACE OF MIND TO BORROW.

HIS PLEA WAS HEARD,

HIS CRY UNMUFFLED FELL UPON THE EARS

OF A STATELY GOD OF MEN WHO WISHED TO EASE HIS TEARS.

THE GOD CAST DUST OF GOLD ON SHAKA

ENCHANTING HIM TO SLEEP.

THEN HE GAVE HIM GIFTS OF HEAVEN

ALL OF WHICH HE'D KEEP.

SHAKA WOKE UPON THE MORROW

A STAFF OF LIGHT CLASPED IN HIS HAND

ON HIS BROW A CROWN OF MOONBEAMS

SHIMMERED AS MELTED SAND.

HIS CONSCIENCE EASED HIS PAIN RELEASE,

HE FELT THE PRESSURE LEAVE.

THE GIFTS OF THE MIGHTY SPIRIT,

LEFT HIM LOVE AND PEACE TO WEAVE.

THE WARS NO LONGER BURDENED SHAKA,

HATE DRAINED FROM HIS HEART.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN COUNTLESS AGES

A KING KNEW HIS PART.

HE GAVE HIS WISDOM TO HIS PEOPLE

HIS STRENGTH RAN THROUGH THEIR VEINS.

HIS KINGDOM BECAME A POWER

ON THE EARTH OF WHICH HE REIGNED.

THIS HE DID REMEMBER, THE BLESSINGS THAT HE GOT

WERE A GIFT TO DEAR SHAKA

BECAUSE HE KNEW THE GOD HE SOUGHT.

THERE IS A MORAL TO THIS MESSAGE,

THERE IS A THING TO SAY

WHEN IN TIMES OF DOUBT OR PAIN

JUST BOW DOWN AND PRAY.

THE WORLD OF ART

RED, YELLOW, AND BLUE

ARE THE PRIMARY COLORS,

IF YOU HAVE THESE YOU CAN MIX ALL THE OTHERS.

VIOLET, ORANGE, AND GREEN

ARE NOT WHAT YOU THINK,

SECONDARY TRUE, SCRATCH THEIR SURFACE, SEE THE LINK.

THE BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

CRITICIZE THE WORK

AND FEEL A LITTLE OLDER

WHAT WAS IN IS OUT

WHAT IS RASH IS IN

LOOK AT IT RIGHT NOW BUT DON'T COMPARE TO THEN

VALUE, TEXTURE, LINE, SPACE, COLOR, SHAPE

ANYTHING CAN PASS AS ART

EVEN UGLY DRAPES.

IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST AND WISH TO SUCCEED

WHEN YOU FIND OUT HOW

PLEASE GIVE ME A LEAD.

THE KINDERGARTNER

I'D LIKE TO PLAY ALL THE DAY

I'D LIKE TO SWING AND RUN

I'D DANCE AND SING

AND IF I MAY

I'D HAVE A TON MORE FUN.

BUT AS THINGS ARE I HAVE TO BE

UNDER THIS FRACTURED RULE

I CAN'T BELIEVE SILLY ME

HAS TO GO TO SCHOOL!

LITTLE PRINCESS

LITTLE PRINCESS ON YOUR THRONE

WHO WILL BE YOUR MATE?

A HERO ON A MISTY ROAN

WILL HE GUIDE YOUR FATE?

GOLDEN HAIRED, DASHING KNIGHT

DO YOU DREAM OF HIM?

A JOUST FOR HIM TO FIGHT

FOR YOUR HEART TO WIN

LITTLE PRINCESS GIVE YOUR SMILE

WITH GREAT AND TENDER CARE

HE WHO GETS IT FOR A WHILE

WILL BOW BENEATH YOUR STARE

YOU MUST HAVE YOUR MAN TRUE

THIS BLESSED KNIGHT OF YOURS

AND EVIL OF HIM HATE AND RUE

ALL LOVE ON HIM YOU'LL POUR

LITTLE PRINCESS BE HIS QUEEN

YOUR TENDER PRINCE DO LOVE

AND IN THE END ALL WILL SEEM

SENT FROM UP ABOVE.

ORDER

THERE WAS AN ENCHANTRESS, A RULER,

OVER A GREAT AND MARVELOUS LAND,

SHE CAST A SPELL THAT CAUSED ALL SOULS

TO BE SMITTEN BY HER HAND.

THEY TRIED TO RALLY AGAINST HER

BUT BEING AN EVIL WITCH

SHE TURNED HER DEMONS TOWARD THE MASSES

AND TURNED THEM INTO PITCH.

THE BLACK MUCK SCREAMED AND WRITHED IN PAIN

THERE WAS NO HOPE OF ESCAPE

THE BEAST, BEING EVIL, THE MARVELOUS LAND,

SHE BEGAN TO RAPE.

THE HORROR THAT STRUCK THE EARTH THAT DAY

LIKE A WICKED TIDE.

SWEPT OVER THE HILLS AND VALLEYS

WITH NO HOPE IT WOULD SUBSIDE.

SHE LAUGHED, HER BEAUTY FADED,

HER UGLINESS SHOWED THROUGH

ALL GOOD, ALL HOPE, ALL LIGHT OF PEACE

SHE BEGAN TO RUE.

HER COMPANIONS, DEATH AND CHAOS,

TRAVELED WITH HER AS SHE DROVE

ALL LIGHT, ALL BEAUTY, ALL CHARITY DOWN

A DARK AND HELLISH ROAD

OF A SUDDEN THERE SHE HALTED,

ORDER BLOCKED HER PATH

HE KNOCKED HER FROM THE EARTH,

SHE KEENLY FELT HIS WRATH.

THE MORAL FOR ALL NATIONS,

LET HATE NOT GOVERN ALL

OR CHOICE AND FREEDOM WILL BE THE COST

AS SOULS BEGIN TO FALL.

I'M ONLY HUMAN

HE WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURTS ON HIGH,

OR SO THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.

THE GREAT ONE WAS TO JUDGE HIM

ON THAT BRILLIANT MILLENNIA DAY.

"YOU BEAT YOUR WIFE,

YOU HURT YOUR FRIENDS,

YOUR CHILDREN YOU SHOWED NO LOVE.

YOU LIED, YOU THIEVED,

YOU SPREAD ONLY GRIEF

YET YOU WISH TO DWELL HERE ABOVE.

YOU MAY SPEAK WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART

THOUGH YOUR ANSWER IS CLEAR TO ME.

YOU MAY SAY THE THINGS YOU WOULD,

LET US HEAR YOUR TREACHERY."

"MY LORD," SPOKE THE MAN

"YOU SAY ALL TRUTH

BUT YOU MUST SURELY KNOW.

MY PASTOR PARDONED ME AT DEATH.

SO I'D NOT SUFFER WOE."

"IT IS NOT HIM WHO SHALL BE JUDGE,"

SPOKE THE GREAT I AM.

"PLEASE UNDERSTAND MY PLACE,

OH LORD, AFTER ALL I'M ONLY HUMAN."

"THAN HUMAN YOU SHALL REMAIN

IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL

I PLACED YOU ON THAT SILENT ORB

TO DO BETTER, TO DO WELL.

YOU HAVE TURNED TO LESS, MY SON

THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.

NOW GET THEE OFF TO SATAN'S LAIR,

DEAR CHILD, YOUR BANISHED NOW, SO GO."

(UNTITLED)

IS DEATH AS REAL AS IT APPEARS

IS IT JUST AN IMAGE THAT FOLLOWS THE YEARS,

OR DOES DEATH GO WITH THE YOUNG AND THE WARRIORS.

WHO FIGHT IN THE BATTLES

AND SEE ALL THE HORRORS.

DOES IT GO WITH THE AX, SHIELD AND SWORD,

OR DOES IT FOLLOW THE KING, THE BARON AND LORD.

IS IT SOMETHING TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

OR JUST SOMETHING TO EXPECT IF ONE COULD.

IF YOU FIND THE ANSWER TO THIS PLIGHT

TELL ME, TILL THEN

I'LL BATTLE FOR LIFE.

DEATH THAT KNOCKS UPON MY DOOR

WHO IS IT THAT KNOCKS UPON MY DOOR

THAT FRIGHTENS ME IN SUCH A WAY?

IT SCARES THE BRAVEST FELLOWS

TO THINK OF THAT BLACK SORROWFUL DAY.

THE CHILLS THAT RUN UP THEIR SPINE

SHOULDN'T REALLY BE.

FOR THIS DARK THING IS WHAT ALL FACE,

WHY NOT FACE IT TOGETHER WITH ME,

TAKE HEART FOR IT'S NOT THE END

BUT ONLY A BRAND NEW START.

THE HEAVENS, THEY SING HAPPILY

AT THE STOPPING OF A HEART.

ASK SOMEONE TO SAY TO YOU

WHAT THEY FEEL OF DEATH AND DYING.

AND THEY'LL SAY TO YOU, LIVE IT UP WHILE YOU CAN

FOR SOON UNDERGROUND YOU'LL BE LYING.

WE ARE NOT HEARTLESS BUT WE DON'T CARE,

YOU SEE, WE DON'T HAVE TOO.

OUR FEELINGS HAVE VANISHED

LEAVING A SHELL OF SELFISH, TASTELESS RUE.

ALL I ASK IS WHY THIS MUST BE?

ARE HUMANS SO HORRIBLE!

OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE.

UNTITLED

DEATH COMES AS A WHISPER

SLOWLY SEEPING OUR FEELINGS FROM OUR GRASPS.

ITS VISITS ARE SO FREQUENT

INTO AN EMOTIONLESS COMA WE HAVE LAPSED.

WE DON'T CARE WHEN SEVEN DEATHS

COULD HAVE BE PREVENTED.

EMOTIONS ARE FOR THE WEAK AND SENSELESS,

WHO THROUGH WHICH FEELINGS ARE VENTED.

IF IT WERE A CHOICE

AS A STRONG HEARTLESS ADULT TO LIVE

OR A WEAK EMOTIONAL KID.

I WOULD CHOOSE THE WEAK PAINLESS CHILD,

WHOSE MEEK AND SENSITIVE.

AND I COULD LIVE WITH MYSELF, HAPPILY.

DRAGONS

ITS BREATH WAS LIKE FIRE

BUT IT COULD FREEZE THE BLOOD AND CHILL THE BONES.

ITS GAPING MOUTH COULD SWALLOW ENTIRE VILLAGES

WITHOUT LEAVING A SIGN THAT THEY EVER EXISTED.

THE HIDE OF THE BEAST WAS LIKE ARMOR ON A SOLDIER,

ONLY IT WAS IMPENETRABLE.

WINGS AS DELICATE AS A ROSE PETAL,

BUT MUSCLE AS HARD AS STEAL CORDS.

DEATH WAS MIRRORED IN ITS LARGE GOLDEN EYES

AND ITS LASHING TONGUE

THAT CARESSED ITS RAZOR SHARP TEETH.

WITH A NECK AND TAIL LIKE A SERPENTS,

STRONG ENOUGH EVEN TO LASH

THE MIGHTIEST FORTRESS IN TWO!

DRAGONS . . . FACT OR FANTASY?

DRAGONS

"IF YOU HAVE EVER SEEN A DRAGON THEN YOU FEAR THEM.

IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF DRAGONS

YOU LAUGH AND CALL THEM MYTH.

IF YOU BELIEVE IN DRAGONS

YOU WISH TO SEE THEM.

TO BE CERTAIN, THEY EXIST.

FOR THE DRAGON

IS THE GREATEST CREATURE THAT EVER LIVED, OR NOT LIVED.

A CREATURE THAT COULD MAKE WARM,

COURAGEOUS HEARTS

COLD AND COWARDLY LUMPS.

THAT FREEZE THE BLOOD AND MAKE STRONG MEN

WEAK, FEARLESS, FEARFUL

AND WARRIORS INTO PEASANTS AND BEGGARS

YOU PASS ON THE STREET.

THEIR VERY SPOKEN NAME

TURNS WARM, PULSING SOULS INTO LIFELESS MISTS.

YOU ASK HOW DO I KNOW THESE THINGS,

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE,

FOR I AM A DRAGON!"

WHAT IF . . .

WHAT IF THIS WORLD

WERE ALL TURNED 'ROUND AND CHANGED.

WOULD I BE HAPPIER OR WOULD THERE BE MORE PAIN?

WOULD THE PEOPLE ALL BE FRIENDS,

AND GUIDE EACH OTHER ALONG THE PATH

OR MAYBE THEY WOULD FIGHT

AND HURT EACH OTHER WITH IN PAINFUL WRATH

WHAT IF THE WATER TURNED INTO EARTH?

WOULD WE ALL DIE OF THIRST?

WOULD THE FISH ALL GO AWAY,

IS THAT THE PRICE THAT WE WOULD PAY?

WHAT IF THE EVERLASTING PLAN

HAD GONE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION?

WOULD WE ALL HAVE BEEN HAPPIER

TO BE FORCED TO EXALTATION?

WOULD LUCIFER, THE GREEDY OTHER,

BE PRAISED OR CURSED BY OUR BROTHER?

WOULD THE CHILDREN ALL BE WISE,

AND KNOW ALL ABOUT WHAT'S BEYOND THE SKIES?

WHAT IF . . .

ELF

ONCE THERE WAS A LITTLE ELF

WHO DECIDED TO GIVE A PRIZE,

TO THE ELF WHO COULD SING THE LOUDEST

FOR HIS ELFIN SIZE.

A CALL WENT OUT THROUGH ALL THE LAND

TELLING OF THE TEST.

A POT OF GOLD TO THE TINIEST ELF

THAT COULD SING THE VERY BEST.

TO THE COMPETITION CAME AN ELFIN OF MITE SIZE,

THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL CAME FROM HIS LIPS

AND SO HE WON THE PRIZE.

I GUESS IT GOES TO SHOW

YOU CAN STILL BE SMALL

AND ENTER A TRUE CHALLENGE

AND STILL BEAT 'EM ALL.

SNEEZING

IT STARTS AS A SLIGHT TINGLE

RIGHT BENEATH MY NOSE,

AND WHEN IT'S DONE IT FEELS AS IF

MY BRAIN MIGHT JUST EXPLODE.

IT'S WORSE IN SUMMER

WHEN THE POLLEN IS ALL COMING OUT.

I WALK AROUND JUST BLOWING UP

AND SPEWING ALL ABOUT.

IF I HAD A SINGLE WISH

I'D GIVE MY NOSE A BREAK.

I JUST KNOW EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS

THAT MY SPINE IS GONNA BREAK!

UNTITLED

THE DAY WAS CLEAR AND BRIGHT ,

AS THEY TOOK OFF FOR THE SKY.

NO ONE KNEW THAT LATER

THEY WOULD BE ASKING, WHY?

ALL THE PAPERS SCREAMED

"NOW HERE'S HOW TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK!"

AND SO THEY PICTURED, ON THE FRONT PAGE

THOSE OF WHOM GRIEF HAD STRUCK.

THE LAUNCH WENT FINE

THE ENGINES SANG AS THEY TOOK OFF TOWARD THE SUN.

THEN IT HIT,

THE DEATH OF SEVEN IN THE HUGE EXPLOSION.

NOW ALL WE DO IS PRAY

FOR THE SAFE KEEPING OF THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR SPIRITS.

HOPING THAT ONE DAY

THEY MIGHT FIND PEACE FOR THEIR WORTHY MERITS.

AND SOMEDAY, SOMETIME

WHEN WE LOOK UPON THE LONESOME SKY,

WILL WE REMEMBER,

WILL WE FORGET,

OR WILL WE JUST ASK,

WHY?

PRIVATE GRIEF

THE COOL BREEZE BLOWS AND

SILENTLY LULLS THE WEEPING TREES TO SLEEP.

FOR THE TRAGEDY THAT HAD STRUCK THAT DAY

WOULD FOREVER, IN MEMORY, KEEP.

THE DEATHS OF THOSE BRAVE ENOUGH TO GO,

WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

THEY HAVE ESCAPED A WORLD

AND A RACE THAT IS SLOWLY GOING ROTTEN.

WHY DO WE ACT THIS WAY,

WE SENSATIONALIZE THEIR GRIEF.

WHEN SOMEONE, SOMEDAY WILL CHANGE IT ALL.

I'M SURE WE'LL FEEL RELIEF.

SO DON'T FORGET THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED,

FOR SOMEDAY, WE MUST FOLLOW.

NOT TO SPACE, BUT TO DEATH

EITHER TODAY OR BEYOND TOMORROW.

LAST VISIT TO THE DOC

I WENT TO THE DOC THE OTHER DAY

WITH A BIG SORE TOE.

HE SAID HOW SAD

IT LOOKS SO BAD

HOW'D YOU DO IT DON'T YOU KNOW

I SAID WHY YES

I WENT A WALKIN' AND HIT IT ON A BRICK

AND THAN WHEN I WAS COMIN' HERE

I HIT IT WITH MY STICK

TSK TSK SAID THE DOC

HOW TERRIBLY SAD

I SUGGEST YOU PUT IT UP

FOR THIS HE CHARGED ME FIFTY BUCKS

SO I SHOVED IT UP HIS BUTT.

HARD TO SAY

CHICKEN DIDDLE DOO

CHICKEN DIDDLE DEE

I'D SAY HELLO

BUT NOT GOOD-BYE

IF YOU WOULD MARRY ME

BITE A BETA BOO

BITE A BETA BITTLE

I'VE LIKED YOU SINCE I MET YOU

WHEN WE WERE ONLY LITTLE

FRUITA FREEDA FROO

FRUITA FREEDA FROM

YOU'D MAKE A LOVELY MATE FOR ME

EVEN THOUGH I'M DUMB

JEEDLE JOTTLE JOE

JEEDLE JOTTLE JACK

FORGET I EVEN SAID IT,

HOW'D YOU KNOW I'D TAKE IT BACK

MEADLE MOTTLE MED

MEADLE MOTTLE MICKLE

PERHAPS WE'D REALLY MARRY

IF I WEREN'T SO DAD BURNED FICKLE

MARRIED WHEN?

MY SISTER GOT MARRIED IN FEBRUARY.

MY BROTHER GOT MARRIED IN MAY.

MY UNCLE WAS GONNA GET MARRIED,

BUT THEN FOUND OUT HE WAS GAY.

MY COUSIN GOT MARRIED IN MARCH.

MY NIECE GOT MARRIED IN DECEMBER.

I'LL TELL YOU WHEN I WAS MARRIED,

IF ONLY I'D EVER REMEMBER.

THE DANCING KINGDOM

A GREAT AND NOBLE KINGDOM

DANCED BEYOND THE SEA.

HAPPINESS DWELT THERE,

AS IF THERE IT WISHED TO BE.

THOSE THAT LIVED WITHIN THIS PLACE

HAD NO NEED OF WALLS.

LOCKS, CHAINS, BARS AND WEAPONS

WERE NOT THERE AT ALL.

CHILDREN PLAYED FREELY

WITH OTHERS IN THE FIELDS.

NEIGHBORS TRUSTED THOSE AROUND

AND HELPED EACH OTHER TILL.

PLANTING AND HARVESTING

WERE A DELIGHTSOME THING.

HERE ALL WERE WELL FED

EVERY HUMAN BEING.

THEY KNEW THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES,

BEING OH SO HUMBLE.

ALWAYS THERE TO CATCH A FRIEND

IF EVER THEY DID STUMBLE.

WE COULD LIVE IN SUCH A PLACE,

IF ONLY WE COULD BE

MORE LIKE THE DANCING KINGDOM

FAR BEYOND THE SEA

GREED

THERE WAS A MAN,

I'M TOLD STILL LIVES,

THAT LIKED TO CAUSE GREAT PAIN.

HIS NAME WAS GREED AND MANY TIMES

HE'D EVEN HURT THE LAME.

HE SOUGHT OUT THOSE WHO WISHED FOR THINGS

OF THIS LOVELY EARTH.

HE TEMPTED THEM WITH GOLD AND LUST

EVEN RIGHT FROM BIRTH.

ONE DAY AS GREED WALKED HAPPILY

DOWN A DARK, DREARY ROAD.

HE CAME UPON A SMALL SHACK,

A HUMBLE QUAINT ABODE.

A SMILE CROSSED HIS HORRID FACE

ROTTEN TEETH SHOWN THROUGH.

HE THOUGHT IN HIS DISGUSTING MIND

HOW HE'D BRING THEM DOWN TOO.

HE TAPPED QUITE GENTLY UPON THE DOOR

OF THIS LOVING PLACE.

HE CRIED IN FEAR AS THE DOOR OPENED

AND HE BEHELD CHARITIES FACE.

HE TURNED AND RAN FAR THAT DAY

FROM THAT HOME OF PEACE.

HE CANNOT BEAT CHARITY,

BUT WHERE LOVE IS NOT, HE'LL FEAST.

THE FIGHT

WHY DOES LOVE FILL MY HEART

AT THE TOUCH OF HIS GENTLE GAZE

EACH PASSING MOMENT I FIGHT THE FALL

YET PLUNGE DEEPER INTO GREAT BLUE WAVES

LOVE SEEMS TO FALL UPON MY HEART

CARESSING DROPS OF RAIN

I DENY THE TASTE OF THE SWEETEST FRUIT

FOR THE EMPTINESS OF PAIN

SO WHY DOES LOVE WARM MY SOUL

WHERE BEFORE LURKED ONLY THE SEMBLANCE OF ICE

YOU

I LOOKED OUT OVER THE GLACIAL SEA.

THE BEAUTY OF LIFE THERE ABOUNDED.

I THOUGHT HOW WONDROUS IT IS TO BE.

BY SUCH UNENDING LOVELINESS SURROUNDED.

I STARRED OUT AT THE SETTING SUN.

GOLDEN RAYS SHINED IN MY EYES.

THE DAY HAD PASSED,

THE WORK WAS DONE.

RESTFUL EVENING BEFORE ME LIES.

A PEACE OF LIFE JUST TO SAY

I LIKE MYSELF,

I DO.

SO LOOK AT YOURSELF THIS PERFECT DAY, AND SAY

I DO LIKE YOU.

BIG AND SMALL

A SMALL WOMBAT WAS WALKING ONCE

WHEN HE STEPPED ON A TIGERS TAIL.

WITH A START THE GREAT STRIPPED BEAST

LOUDLY BEGAN TO YELL.

HE TURNED HIS CLAWS TOWARD THE THING

THAT HAD CAUSED HIM SUCH GREAT PAIN.

THE SMALLER CREATURE JUMPED ON THE CAT

HIS LIFE TO BEG FOR AND CLAIM.

THE TIGER SHOCKED AT SUCH AGGRESSION

RAN BEHIND A TREE.

THE WOMBAT THREAT,

SURPRISED TO BE ALIVE,

PRANCED OFF WELL AND FREE.

SO PERHAPS YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHEN I SAY,

DO NOT JUDGE BY SIZE.

A TINY WINNER MIGHT NOT AFTER ALL,

LOOK AN OPPONENT IN THE EYES.

THIS LIFE

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT

THAT THIS LIFE'S A VERY CRAZY THING.

IT'S FRIGHTENING FOR

THE SMALLER AND LARGER HUMAN BEING.

WHY ONCE I SAW A MAN

THAT WAS SO AFRAID TO LIVE

HE DRANK HIMSELF INTO A STUPOR

NOTHING DID HE GIVE.

WHILE OTHERS SPEND THEIR TIME,

QUITE CHARITABLE, IT'S TRUE.

THEY HELP THE POOR, THE SICK, THE OLD

AND BRING THE HUNGRY FOOD.

THERE'S MANY THINGS TO DO

WITH THIS YOUR ONE LIFE TIME

YOU DWELL ON THE EARTH A DAY OR YEARS

SO TRY TO MAKE LIFE FINE.

PRIDE OVER DUTY

A LITTLE BUG CRAWLED ON A WALK

OF A WEALTHY MERCHANT'S HOUSE.

"PARDON ME," DEMANDED THE MERCHANT

"PLEASE GET OFF MY WALK YOU WRETCHED LOUSE."

"WELL I BELIEVE YOU ARE SO RUDE," CRIED THE BUG

"I THINK I'LL TAKE MY LEAVE."

AND AWAY FLEW THE BUG,

A BLACK AND YELLOW HUMBLE BUMBLE BEE.

WELL AFTER THAT THE FLOWERS CRIED,

DEEPLY SADDENED AND BLOSSOMS WILTED.

THE MERCHANT'S HOUSE OF HIGH REGARD

TURNED TO A GARDEN OF DIRT, WELL SILTED.

THE MERCHANT WAILED A SADDENED YELP

AND LONGED FOR THE BLOSSOMS OF BEAUTY.

ALL TO HIS WOE BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT ALLOW

A BEE TO DO HIS DUTY.

THE WISH

A FICKLE, SMALL, OLD MAN ONCE SAID,

I WISH THAT I COULD SEE

FAR DOWN INTO THE DEPTHS OF HELL

AT WHOSE BEEN BOTHERING ME.

THE OLD MAN LIVED HIS LIFE OF HATE,

DESTROYING FRIENDS AND FOE.

AND AT HIS FUNERAL EMPTY PEWS

STARED ON IN DEEPEST WOE.

THE OLD MAN TRAVELED TO THE PLACE

WHERE DEVILS DRINK THEIR TEA,

AND THERE HE SUFFERED LASHINGS

THROUGH ALL ETERNITY.

SO YOU SEE MY FRIEND

A WISH IS A VERY POWERFUL THING

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

SOMETIMES A WISH CAN STING.

WOE OF A PEA!

WOE IS ME TO LIVE MY LIFE WITHIN THIS WRETCHED POD

NEVER TO ROLL ROUND AND FREE UPON THE CUSHIONED SOD

WHY MUST I DWELL IN CONFINES SO TIGHT

PRESSED AGAINST THE OTHERS

I WANT TO BE A PEA OF THE WORLD

AND TRAVEL AS MY BROTHERS

ONE WENT INTO THE REACHES OF THE DEEP

AND BECAME A GREAT SOUP PEA

ONE STRODE INTO THE REALM OF PLATE

AND SAT WITH CORN AND STEAK,

WHY NOT ME!

ONE, WHO WAS THE SWEETEST,

EXPLORED THE WORLD OF CANS

YET THE YOUNGEST, MOST AMBITIOUS

HAS SEEN NOTHING OF THESE LANDS

WOE IS ME A PEA IN A POD

A MORE WORTHLESS SPROUT THEN ANY

NEVER FORGET SMALL ONE, SAID THE STOCK

YOU SUSTAIN THE LIVES OF MANY

FOR THOUGH YOU FEEL UNACCOMPLISHED AND SMALL

YOU'RE WITHIN THE GARDEN OF LIFE AND TRULY BLESS US ALL

DEAR SWEET RUBY

JETHROE PULLMAN WAS AN ORE MAN OF THE ISLE OF BILLINGS BAY SHORE

EVERY DAY WHEN HE'D GO SHOPPIN' HE'D BUY HIMSELF ANOTHER ORE, MUCH BETTER,

HE'D SAY, THEN THE ONE'S BEFORE

AS HE'D GO OUT INTO BILLINGS BAY SHORE HE'D SEARCH THE REEFS

FOR THE MERMAID HE ADORED

RUBY WAS THE DEAR MAID'S NAME AND HER FIN MATCHED IT ALL THE MORE

RED AS FIRE, SPARKLES OF DIRE BEAUTY THAT JETHROE MIGHTENT KILL FOR

HER GLEAMING SMILE WELD UP DESIRES IN JETHROE THE LIKES HE'D NEVER KNOWN BEFORE

BUT ON THIS DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAY WHERE JETHROE SAT

SEARCHIN' WITH GREAT REPORE

HIS LOVELY RUBY WAS KISSIN', TRULY, A MUSCLE BOUND MERMAN BELOW THE SHORE

TWILIGHT CAME AND RUBY SURFACED AND SAW JETHORE WITH YET ANOTHER NEW ORE

"I CAN NOT SEE YOU JETHROE PULLMAN WHO DWELLS ON THE LAND OF BILLINGS BAY SHORE

MY LOVE IS GIVEN TO TODD RIVEN HEAD OF NEPTUNE'S CHARIOTEERS HE SOARS"

JETHROE WAILED A MIGHTY CRY "BUT RUBY FOR YOU TRULY, I'D DIE, IT'S YOU WHOM I ADORE!"

"FORGIVE ME JETHROE" SIGHED DEAR RUBY "BUT YOUR NAME EMBARRASSES ME

AND FESTERS LIKE A SORE!"

WITH THAT FAIR RUBY FULL OF BEAUTY DIVED BELOW THE WAVES OF BILLINGS BAY SHORE

AND HEFTY JETHROE TO THIS DAY SWEARS HE'LL SEE FAIR RUBY NEVERMORE.

GREED

UPON A MOUNTAIN ENGULFED IN FLAME,

THE THIEF AWAITED A TORRENT OF PAIN

DRAGONS LOVE THEIR TREASURE HOARD

HE'LL DESTROY THE THIEF WITH BROKEN SWORD

BRAVE AS THE BEAST'S OWN WRETCHED HEART

YET SOON HE'LL DIE ITS CHOICEST MARK

DRAGON'S VICTIM, HERO'S BLOOD

BODY DROWN IN FIRE, A FLOOD

POOR, FRAIL HUMAN IS NO MATCH

FOR THE DEMON OF DEVIL'S HATCH

AMBER RAY

SHE IS A BEAUTY WELL ADMIRED WITH EYES GREEN AS THE SEA

HER HAIR OF GOLDEN SUMMER SUN SHINNING AS IT CAN BE

HER LAUGH BRINGS HAPPINESS, JOY AND LOVE TO ALL AROUND WHO HEAR

AND WHEN SHE SLEEPS SHE GENTLY BREATHS AND WANTS TO BE HELD NEAR

WHO, YOU ASK, IS THIS ANGEL OH DEAR FRIEND PLEASE SAY

OF COURSE I WILL AS YOU MAY KNOW SHE IS MY NIECE,

SWEET AMBER RAY!

IF ONLY

OH IF ONLY I COULD GO AND DIP MYSELF INTO THE SEA

I'D CLEANSE MY BODY AND MY SOUL OF SIN FOR ALL ETERNITY

I'D FREE MYSELF OF BITTER TASTES, SINS OF TIMES PAST, THINGS I'D DONE WRONG

MY HAPPINESS IN CLEANLINESS WOULD ENGULF MY HEART IN PEACE SO STRONG

REPENTANCE IS A BATTLE WITH MYSELF, MY HEART, A WARRIORS WAY

SOMEDAY I'LL WIN THE FIGHT AND LIVE WITH THE LORD MY GOD, I HUMBLY PRAY.

PRESSURE OF SIN

AS I SIT UPON MY THRONE OF WORLDLY GOODS, PRIDE AND YOUTH

AT TIMES I FEEL A PRESSURE BORNE BY THE SHOULDERS OF MY SOUL

IN MY TIME OF WEAKNESS I ONCE EXALTED IN SINS REPUTE

NOW THE PAIN FILTERS DOWN THROUGH CONSCIOUS MIND, INTO MY SKULL

IT SEEMS A DEMON SITS UPON ME, WRESTLING ME DOWN INTO HIS LAIR

BUT MY WEAK GRASP HOLDS FAST UPON THE WORDS OF ONE SINLESS MAN

THAT WHEN IN DOUBT REPENTANCE SHOWS A GREAT LOVE HIDDEN THERE

THE SIN DOES HIDE IT FROM MY EYES AS WELL AS HIS ETERNAL PLAN

HE CALLS TO ME WITH LOVING VOICE AND STRETCHES OUT A STAFF OF LIGHT

"FIGHT DOWN THAT DEMON WHOSE CLUTCHES GOUGE INTO YOUR SOUL SO FRAIL AND WEAK

COME UNTO ME YOU WHO HATH TAINTED YOUR SPIRIT IN THE FIGHT

AND IN YOUR STRUGGLES WITH THIS MIGHTY CREATURE

IN MY ARMS YOU'LL FIND THE RELIEF YOU SEEK

I'LL GIVE YOUR LIFE MY WORDS OF GRACE SO THAT YOUR EMPTINESS MAY BE OBLIQUE."

"OH LORD OF BEAUTY, MIGHT AND HONOR," I CRIED "BRING MY HEART YOUR PEACE."

FOR AS MANY AS ONE SOUL SAVED WILL CAUSE THE WICKED

MILLENNIA OF GRIEF.

THE WISH

A FICKLE, SMALL, OLD MAN ONCE SAID,

I WISH THAT I COULD SEE

FAR DOWN INTO THE DEPTHS OF HELL

AT WHOSE BEEN BOTHERING ME.

THE OLD MAN LIVED HIS LIFE OF HATE,

DESTROYING FRIENDS AND FOE.

AND AT HIS FUNERAL EMPTY PEWS

STARED ON IN DEEPEST WOE.

THE OLD MAN TRAVELED TO THE PLACE

WHERE DEVILS DRINK THEIR TEA,

AND THERE HE SUFFERED LASHINGS

THROUGH ALL ETERNITY.

SO YOU SEE MY FRIEND

A WISH IS A VERY POWERFUL THING

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

SOMETIMES A WISH CAN STING

IF ONLY I HAD WINGS

WE KNOW WHAT IT ENTAILS TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD,

THIS WORLDS A CRAZY THING

SOMETIMES I THINK IT'D BE WONDERFUL IF ONLY I HAD WINGS

I'D FLY HIGH UP ABOVE THE HATE THE PAIN AND EMPTY SORROW

THROUGH ALL THE SUFFERING OF THIS DAY, RIGHT INTO TOMORROW

SOMETIMES I THINK IF I COULD SING A TUNE SO LOUD AND CLEAR,

I'D JUMP RIGHT UP AND RIGHT OUT LOUD THIS IS WHAT THEY'D HEAR

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS

LOVE CAN FILL YOUR HEART

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HURT LIKE THIS

YOU JUST MUST KNOW YOUR PART

WE KNOW WE WANT TO LIVE, SO MANY OF US DIE,

BY SHOT, BY HATE, BY CIRCUMSTANCE AND I MUST ASK YOU WHY

IT'S NOT THAT DEATH IS FRIGHTENING, FOR ALL MUST FACE SUCH THINGS

BUT THIS LIFE, I COULD FACE IF ONLY I HAD WINGS

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS

LOVE CAN FILL YOUR HEART

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HURT LIKE THIS

YOU JUST MUST KNOW YOUR PART

OH IF ONLY I HAD WINGS, I'D LEAVE ALL PAIN BEHIND

YET I AM HUMAN AND SO ARE YOU, PAIN IS IN THE MIND

TO ESCAPE IT IS A DREAM OF MORTALS, A DREAM THAT WE COULD SHARE

PERHAPS IF WE THOUGHT MORE OF FREEDOM WE WOULD SOON BE THERE

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS

LOVE CAN FILL YOUR HEART

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HURT LIKE THIS

YOU JUST MUST KNOW YOUR PART

COLOR BLIND

A MAN OF TASTE ONCE SAID "EQUALITY TO REIGN,

FOR ALL MEN BE GOD'S CHILDREN SO ALL SHOULD RICHES, GAIN."

THE SAME MET ONE WHO'S COLOR, WAS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN HIS OWN

AND WOULD NOT LET HIM STEP INSIDE HIS STAIN GLASSED HOME

THEIR RACE, THE SAME, HUMANITY, WITH SOULS OF DIFFERENT CARES

THE MAN OF TASTE, IN BIGOTRY, CLIMBED STEPPING STONES UNSHARED.

DOES IT MATTER IF A MAN BE BLUE, OR IF HIS SKIN BE GREEN?

IF HEART OF GOLD HE DOTH POSSESS, WITH PEACE HIS PERFECT DREAM.

I DARE SAY THAT IT MATTERETH NOT, FOR VARIETY SHARES OUR SPHERE

AND WHAT A WONDROUS THOUGHT, A GLOBE OF LOVING BEINGS SO DEAR..

IN LOOKING AT A MAN WHO'S TONE YOU CLEARLY DO NOT SHARE,

REMEMBER THAT A HEART OF PRIDE SWELLS IN HIS CHEST, UNBARRED

BELIEVE IN LOVE AND LIFE, FOR ALL NATIONS, I REQUEST

AND PERHAPS NO PAIN WILL BE AND GOD WILL US ALL BLESS.

ETERNITY

MY SOUL IS FILLED WITH GHASTLY HORRORS, FRIGHTENING VISIONS, OH DISTAIN

BROUGHT ON BY MERE MORTALS WEAKNESS, SORROWFUL, HATEFUL, HUMAN PAIN

TO BE RID OF STRESSFUL DEMONS, WRITHING, CLINGING, CLAW MARKED STRIFE

OH SEEP THROUGH THE OOZING DARKNESS, SHEEPISHLY, THAN SPRING TO LIFE

BRIGHTNESS, DISTANT FROM HERE STILL, EXALTED SPLENDOR FAR FROM ME

OPEN, HEART FILLED, LIGHTENING CRESTED, PUREST HOME, ETERNITY