© Copyright Mary Ann Nelson McAlister. All Rights Reserved ©

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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

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.