Selected Songs
Containers
Since you're sitting there and you're asking
let me tell you how I feel.
My heart thrives on starvation
but my stomach needs a meal.
No I'm not the one in question.
I just do the things I must;
erecting all of my fantasies
out of relics in the dust.
Your tools are what are important.
Don't let them go to rust.....
I considered keeping my mouth shut
until I reached that age
when I found that all of my freedom
still stayed with me in the cage.
And so my voice is getting louder now
but my song remains unsung,
and though I'm weary from this journey
I've really only just begun.
I'm tired of all this walking.
I think I'll start to run.....
Running around in circles
doesn't get you anywhere,
because you can't stay under the water
without coming up for air.
The past has not been easy
but it's carried you this far,
and you can't remain on a mountain-top
without searching for a star.
I wonder how long it might be my friend
'til we see just who we are.....
So don't speak to me of incompetence;
your voice is what you bring.
Blend it in with some harmony
and let your instinct sing.
There is plenty I could tell you now
but the words just can't begin
to describe to you what I'm feeling now
or what's happening within.
These words are just the containers
that I put my feelings in.....
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Song For One Who Wishes To Remain Anonymous
the first time i stood before you i was no more than a boy
my destiny evaded you i was sensitive and coy
in fear of my mortality in fear i fled the womb
and i hung my pride in effigy inside your lover’s room
yes i wanted to possess you
among the other things that i planned
but you were far beyond my ragged reach with a mirror
in your hand
the coincidence of confidence that placed me in your way
is crystalized and clarified and magnetized each day
your eyes reflect so honestly the images you see
disguised in all of my modesty i seek your mystery
impressed with all of your fantasies i tried to understand
as you sat right there in front of me with a prism
in your hand
impressed with your intensity i sacrificed my shield
impressed with my creativity you invited me to yield
our skin is what contains us and keeps us from being one
though slowly all the clothes of our desires came undone
infinity is what sets us free as resistance takes the stand
weren’t you lying there so innocently with my trials
in your hand
(chorus)
and i’ve witnessed the mountains of granite and gold
wash down to the beaches of sand
you’ve watched the cold winds and the winter ice melt
as the sun lends it’s warmth unto the land
now shouldn’t we also exist this way *
isn’t it instinctually planned
*now shouldn’t we also resist this way (after 2nd verse)
*now shouldn’t we also persist in this way (after 3rd verse)
------------------------------------------------
Birth And Death Are The Same Door
Somewhere deep within a dreamless sleep
Your birth is hidden.
So protected that the truth of the future
Is forbidden.
Restful eons in the arms of the void
Then one day the door is opened.
All your instinctual fears are deployed
When your umbilical ties are broken.
Screaming for air when you find
That your former life is finished.
Eyes wide open as the pain of transition
Is diminished.
All memory is washed away.
A new life is filled with empty pages.
Senses separate the night from the day
As your perception adjusts to the ages.
Destiny leads you through the
Magical maze of your direction.
The pattern has taught you
Not to place your faith in resurrection.
From the moment of your very first breath
Life seemed like an endless tunnel
But when you witness an old man
surrender to death
It seems more like a closed funnel.
You wish to remain here
Attached to the props of your existence.
I really can’t blame you
For approaching unknowns with resistance.
Time leaves its mark
in the lines of your face
Though you can never really detect it.
Peace of mind lies at the end of the race
If we can ever learn to accept it.
--------------------------------
The Seconds Of Your Love
My heart has open caverns but they're all caving in
And the walls of my distinction are wearing pretty thin.
This dizziness is terrible;
It's set me in a spin.
Was it worth it for a second of your love?
It wouldn't be so painful but I know that you're alive.
Telepathy screams out to you in hopes you might revive
The memories of our depths together;
Listen to them thrive.
Reaching for the seconds of your love.
I knew that I was vulnerable but I didn't seem to care.
Intangibly I felt as if we made a decent pair.
Our laughter and our passion
Still lingers in the air.
Savoring the seconds of your love.
I rarely write my thoughts out when they surface in my mind
But it's late and I am restless. I'm trying to unwind
The coils of my loneliness
In the words you left behind.
Questioning the seconds of your love?
It's funny how this paradox works something like a key.
The only way to conquer is to set the cages free;
To open up those locked doors
For all eternity.
It was worth it for a second of your love.
Sixty seconds in a minute, sixty minutes in an hour.
Time consumes my deepest wounds left open to devour.
The days stack up so graciously
Reaching like a tower
Constructed with the seconds of your love.
---------------------
Thorns Of Christ
treading in my pagan boots
on whitewashed rocks and knarled roots
I can hear red cardinals sing like flutes
confessing to the stream
water rushes like a preacher
it magnifies each liquid feature
nourishing each plant and creature
thriving from the stream
I scaled the ivy coated wall
baptized by the waterfall
rock to rock that satin sermon
calls me to the stream
the path was dark and thinly iced
as razor steeples neatly sliced
my skin with poisoned thorns of christ
betraying near the stream
the mantis prayed as my hands bled
the broken thorns oozed scars of red
and crouching down in pain I fed
my blood into the stream
so when you hear the serpent hiss
disguised as natures subtle kiss
some lesson could be learned from this
find it at the stream
---------------------------------
The Apple And The Rose
The roses wrap their vines around
the gnarled apple root
and spiral up the trunk
into the branches bearing fruit.
With symbiotic dignity
upward from two seeds
they grew together gracefully
as if they share the need.....
To flourish, then to blossom,
to bud, and then to flower;
the roses poised in passion,
the apples poised in power.
But as they grew, the apple tree
shot upward toward the light.
The rose vine counteracted
and pulled the branches tight.
Resulting in a compromise
of harmony and pain
brought on by spring’s emerging sun
and fueled with summer rain.
When August saw its final days
the apples turned to red.
The roses too had blossomed.
Like wounds their colors bled.....
.....into a scene more beautiful
than any tree could be
or any bud that bears its flower
before humanity.
Some will pick the roses.
Some will weave the crown.
Some will shift their ladders
to pull the apples down.
But I will stand in awe
and wonder where the knowledge goes
The hidden beauty locked within
the apple and the rose.
-------------------------------
Bay Of Tears
We paddled to the bay of tears
And in the back she calmly steers
Us past the shoals, the unseen fears
She tilts her head as if she hears
The silent bay of tears.
The toads observing from their stools
A million years of shallow pools
The tears of lovers, pawns, and fools
As hearts abandon human rules
Into the bay of tears.
The fish like sorrows deep and slow
Absorb their nutrients below
I wonder if they really know
How graciously they seem to flow
Beneath the bay of tears.
The mist arises from the lake
Condensing clouds about to break
Above the cracks of lightning shake
But even thunder won't awake
The sleeping bay of tears.
-------------------------------
But You've Never
You've been up and down the highways of New England
Through the deserts and the canyons of the west
Across the jagged mountains to the ocean
But you've never laid your aimlessness to rest
To rest, to rest.
You've never laid my aimlessness to rest
You've captured all the chapters of your timeline
And you've painted many portraits of your past
You've sung a thousand songs into the morning
But the train you're on is moving much too fast
Too fast, too fast
The train you're on is moving much too fast
Friends you've had, they'll never be too many
Love will come and go - but never fade
When it's said and done there always is the question
What becomes of all the memories that you've made
You've made, you've made.
What becomes of all the memories that you've made
Are they sinking in the quagmire
Are they buried in the sand
Are they floating on the surface
Are they strewn upon the land
Are they flying with the breezes
Are they etched upon the stone
Are they gathered all together
Or are they simply left alone?
You might think these thoughts are serious and heavy
But it's no matter - not a single word I say
Is more important than the will that keeps you waking
From the darkness to the brilliance of the day
Of the day, of the day.
From the darkness to the brilliance of the day
-------------------------------
Let It Go
Once you were a criminal, stealing from yourself
Stacking up the contraband like plates upon the shelf
Once you were a vagabond surviving hand to hand
And yes you were the hipster, your life was pretty grand
But if you want to move it on, then listen to me bro
Pick it up, brush it off, and then just let it go.
Once you were an artist, with little left to lose
Once you were the minstrel, denouncing Memphis Blues
But they didn’t round up everyone that knows more than you do
Now whadda ya have to say about your superhuman crew?
But if you want to turn it on, then take if from a pro
Pick it up, dust it off, and then just let it go.
Once you held a woman, tenderly and true
Once you watched her drift away, she took part of you
Once you sang of destiny, sadness and romance
Once you were the victim of simple circumstance
But if you want to get it on, you’re gonna have to know
(how to) Pick it up, brush it off, and then just let it go.
Once you chased the carrot to the top of Prospect Hill
Trading love for money – It’s a lonesome bitter pill
Some are old and tire, with little left to say
Repeating all the phrases, reliving yesterday
But if you want to get it on, then screw the status quo
Pick it up, brush it off, and then just let it go.
But if you want to move it on, then take it from a pro
Pick it up, dust it off, and then just let it go.
-------------------------------
The Rise & Fall of Bethlehem Steel
The immigrants arrived here
To search for freedom's deal
They built our growing country
With pools of molten steel
The hopes of all our fathers
Our cousins, uncles and sons...
As strong as iron castings
Measured out in tons.
Measured out in tons.
The loads of limestone, coke and ore
Retrieved with giant cranes
Were melted in blast furnaces
With iridescent flames.
Huge ladles poured the ingots
That rolled the great I- beams
For skyscrapers and bridges
That fueled American dreams
The labor unions picketed
For benefits and pay
But it was the foreign steel dumping
That swept the jobs away.
"Huge ladles poured the ingots
That rolled the great I- beam
But it was foreign steel dumping
That killed America's dream.
The end of such prosperity
Was there no other way?
The end of self-reliance
For a rusting U.S.A.
For a rusting U.S.A.
The stacks now stand like giants
The riverfront revived
With music, art and beauty
Our Bethlehem survives!
Our Bethlehem survives!
My Song
This is my song
You can have it if you like
A lonesome little tune
I wrote it late one evening
Just couldn’t sleep that night.
It wasn't influenced by Dylan,
McCartney or Thoreau
But it takes me back to places
Lived many years ago.
It wasn’t spurred by Eric’s lead guitar
Or Jerry’s grateful hand
Just the sweetened sound of this old harp
No need to have a backup band.
This is my song
I never wrote it down
Just a simple tune
Hear it drifting in the open air
At the coffee house in town.
So take me to the river
Take me to the stream
Let me lie beneath the open stars
And slip into a dream
Of innocent simplicity
Of childhood never lost
Relinquishing the battle scars
That came at such a cost
This is my song
I've got some time to kill
Just a simple tune
I'll sing the chorus one more time
Join me if you will:
So take me to the river
Take me to the stream
Let me lie beneath the open stars
And slip into a dream
Of innocent simplicity
Of childhood never lost
Relinquishing the battle scars
That came at such a cost
This is my song…..
-------------------------------
Preconditions
Think I'll head down to the clinic
I’m feelin’ kinda sick.
Seems I've got some preconditions
I can't seem to kick.
Gimme a couple Ludens
I got a nasty throat
My voice is like sandpaper
I'm sounding like a goat.
Shake me out one of them Pepsids
My stomach's about to burst
And pass that glass of water
I'm dyin' here of thirst.
I hope Rand Paul is listenin'
It makes me wanna cry
Too many preconditions
I've run my healthcare dry.
Gimme a beta blocker
My aorta's shutting down
Tell the ER man I'm comin'
My doctor's outta town
Peel me one a them nicotine patches
I'm jonesin' for a smoke.
My caffiene's runnin' empty
So pop that can of Coke.
Hand me down my walking cane
My knees aren't gonna last
They're ready for replacement
I may need a body cast
I hope John Boehner’s listenin'
You know, It makes me wanna cry
Too many preconditions
I've run my healthcare dry.
Shoot my gums with novocaine
The dentist's about to drill
He says I need a root canal
But I can’t pay the bill
After the OxyContin
I'll be hittin' the Methadone
Or headin' out to Betty Ford
To the sunny drug free zone
Like a broken down jalopi
I'm losing all my parts
These days I get my groceries
In electric shopping carts.
You know, I hope Paul Ryan’s listenin'
It makes me wanna cry
Too many preconditions
I've run my healthcare dry.
Hey Tea Party, are you listenin'
It makes me wonder why
Too many preconditions
I think I'll just up and die.
-------------------------------
Society Cafe
I found a small cafe on the rough edge of town
And I ordered up some bacon and eggs
As I sat there at the counter, I perked up my ears
And I listened to what the folks had to say:
Richie's got no fingers
Lost them on a saw
While working in a lumber mill
In southern Arkansas
With one hand in his pocket
He tries to hide the scar
He gets on with his other hand
Playing slide guitar
Andy taxed his memory
From smoking too much hash
He hangs out at the pool hall
But he's always short on cash
And so he cleans the tables
And mops up for the boss
He trades his time for dignity
To make up for his loss
Some will brag of things they've gained
Some mourn all they've lost
Some will boast of what they've spent
Some lament the cost
But they've all got a seat on the southbound bus
Why can it be so hard
To find a route to Easy Street
From Misery Boulevard
Laurence lost his lover
To a salesman from LA
He's desperate for another
He just might find him one some day
For now he just carouses
All the local clubs and bars
Collecting more rejections
Like a string of battle scars
Vickie lost her vocal chords
She used to sing for free
Until she stole the show on Broadway
Back in 1963
Her name lit up the Marquis lights
She had a decent run
But it seemed her fame was over
When it had only just begun
Some will brag of things they've gained
Some mourn all they've lost
Some will boast of what they've spent
Some lament the cost
But they all convene in the little cafe
On the rougher side of the city
They casually observe each other
Drown in pain and pity
-------------------------------
Jersey Diner
Garden state – New Jersey
Gets the nasty rap
Sections near the airport
Choked with smog and other crap
Heading west out to the highlands
From the interstate
The lakes and rivers scatter
From the glacial plate
Well that’s the true New Jersey
No stink – no smoking stacks
Tiny little country towns
Built with tunnel tax
The local small town diner
Breakfast will await
Bacon, eggs and home fries
Overflowing on your plate.
Homemade cake and apple pie
Will surely fill you up
And coffee is on special
Just fifty cents a cup
It's best to keep your mouth shut
If you're in from out-of-town
Keep your eyes and ears attentive
And the gossip will abound:
Frankie's dog got hit last Friday
And the Lutheran pastor died
Sal’s deli just got robbed
and Brownie’s “refi” was denied
Tony's nephew just got busted
Sandy’s twins are getting hitched
The town drunk has gone AWOL
Southside Johnny just got ditched
Don’t get flirty with the waitress
Even though she’s kinda pretty
Cause her old man’s real connected
To you-know-who in New York City
Bruce is on the jukebox
Singin’ songs about the shore
Drop some quarters in the coin slot
And you can pick three more
All these tasty stories
You’re sure to have your fill
So motion to the waitress
And she will bring the bill.
Never stiff your server
Just leave a decent tip
Say thank you to the cashier
And get on with your trip
When-you talk about New Jersey
Refer to it with pride
For mystery, prose and poetry
They’ll keep you well-supplied.
-------------------------------
Talkin’ JFK
My parents thought that Nixon
was a pretty nifty guy
With his five o’clock black stubble
and his choking crimson tie.
They had a “Stick With Dick” sign
planted firmly in the yard
With a “Love It or Leave It” slogan
on their voter registration card.
But like my best friend Louie
I was struck by J.F.K.
We liked his Boston accent
He just seemed to have a way.
And now we have the NRA
Five guns in every hand.
Enough ammo to obliterate
The brotherhood of man.
And so my fellow Americans
Ask what you can do.
To serve the country’s greater good
Not just the privileged few.
Break – John F. Kennedy Speech
Those were very different days!
We overtly spoke our minds.
Unlike today when folks just seem
To have an ax to grind.
Where’s Jackie when you need her –
Caroline or Baby John?
The dream we all called Camelot
It all seems so far gone.
Were you in school for the announcement
When JFK was shot?
Did you cry out for the tragedy?
Did you think it was a plot?
Did you watch Lee Harvey Oswald
Buckle under Ruby’s gun?
Did you see Sirhan assassinate
Joe Senior’s younger son?
And so my fellow Americans
Ask what you can do.
To serve the country’s greater good
Not just the privileged few.
And so my fellow Americans
Ask what you can do.
To serve the country’s greater good
Not just the privileged few.
-------------------------------
Understand
No, I don’t understand the stars
Their purpose – their position
How the monarchs fly so far
Their instinct – their condition
In not knowing – I understand you.
No I can’t comprehend a tree
It’s strength – its indifference
From seeds that gradually come to be
Branches, leaves, what possible sense
The wind confirms – I understand you
The questions – all unanswered
The streaming light – diffused
The angles glean complex degrees
But I am not confused
The thousand trillion living cells
All gathered into you
I don’t know how I understand
Somehow, I just do
Your glance is un-encumbered
Or so it often seems
Next to you, I am out-numbered
Can’t decide (decipher) what it means
But isn’t it odd – I understand you
So many things are mysteries
Looking up or looking in
Immense or small – infinities
My simple mind is not clued in
But somehow – I understand you
The questions – all unanswered
The streaming light – diffused
The angles glean complex degrees
But I am not confused
The thousand trillion living cells
All gathered into you
I don’t know how I understand
Somehow, I just do
-------------------------------
Sad
Sad – the children slaughtered in the halls of public schools.
Sad – polluted waters and Fukushima nuclear pools.
Sad – the Congress fractured serving nothing but themselves.
Sad – the third world hunger – so much food upon the shelves.
Sad – the sharks of Wall Street that worship theft and greed.
Sad – addicted junkies that can’t inject their need.
Sad – the soldier wounded in the ditch of useless pain.
Sad – the weeping widows that sing a teared refrain.
Sad – the torn ecology that beckons climate change
Sad – the dusty ravaged sands – once a fruitful range.
Sad – the snowcaps melting and the rising of the sea.
Sad – the sinking cities that will some day cease to be.
Sad – the tempest raging down – El Ninò hurricanes.
Sad – the lonesome winds that blow across the desperate plains.
Sad – the raging fires of the racist Ku Klux Klan
Sad – denial of the hope for brotherhood of man.
Had – I only known of these disparities in time.
Had – we seen solutions to poverty and crime.
Had – we taken seriously the fragile failing earth.
There might have been a chance to find redemption and rebirth.
But oh – the time is dwindling. We need to wake up fast.
The human race in jeopardy. These years seem like our last.
Unless we’re rescued from ourselves– from everything we’ve done.
It seems a sad conclusion to what our ancestors had begun.
