Life: Here & Now II

Since I started to explore inside I've found hidden things you can't abide away in corners and crevices Though I feel more translucent than ever, you don't think this is good, or clever and I know you wish I'd stop You don't know me now? But this is what I've always been, deeper than what is on the skin, far more subtle than the graying. You don't understand? Not the point, I suppose. But I understand. Expose. You don't get me. But I'm starting to.

the heart sings, takes wings and flies to a place where love will ride to rest in midday heat at love's welcoming side

there's a lot of talk I hear about bad people out there trying to steal my ID shopping online, in the movie ticket line always charging their fun to me what they don't know is that there is no financial gain in being me i'm not that fine, and my credit line tops our pretty early all these identity thieves are pretty blind, look what they leave behind, if they really want to score, they should go for a little bit more than my just my credit line cos the most valuable thing about being me are the people I love, and who love me my hopes, my dreams, my wild-eyed schemes my ups and downs, my face-time on the ground my big wins, all my sins these are my true identity I can't figure, I just don't get it; they should forget it it's a heck of a a lot of work It wears me out trying to figure me out like "why am I such a dork?" when love wants inside, why do I hide and resist being free? yeah it's pretty rough, even for me it's tough to pretend I'm re...

may my friends find shelter in Your love each one held together by your strength when I'm unable able to stand and be a friend in time of need may my friends find shelter in Your love may my casualties find healing in Your love each one restored by your grace when I'm careening out of control won't you please grab hold and steer so my casualties find healing in Your love may my soul find peace in Your love each day aware of your mercy when the world is falling apart when my days are hard to begin may my soul find peace in Your love

it's real simple, but it is so hard to find i don't resemble what you have in mind yes the truth is simple, the simple answer is true i'm simply not the one for you girl, we tried so so hard to make it work went to the meetings, watched the movies, re-read the book but you can't change who you are just to suit my fancy and we both know there's no chance of changing me it's real simple, but it is so hard to say perhaps inevitable that it would turn out this way yes the truth is simple, the simple answer is true girl, i'm simply not the man for you you know I wanted it to be, wanted you and me to find our way what we had, you and me, was temporary chemistry and it didn't stay it's real simple, but it is so hard to say perhaps inevitable that it would turn out this way yes the truth is simple, the simple answer is true girl, i'm simply not the man for you you've gotta be able to say "he loves me for me" instead of feeling pressure to c...

it's crashing in, beginning to begin and it's tearing us apart with urgency, it's an emergency somebody call 911 of the heart we didn't start out treating each other this way we didn't set out for it to come to this some day but somehow all the wrong things got out of hand it's sad to say, but we've gotta find a way out as fast as we can it's crashing in, starting to spin lights going out in the dark can't you see, it's an emergency somebody call 911 for my heart this time, like the last time, I know I'm gonna swear off of giving and receiving the wonders of a sweet love but I tell you, I'll be compelled to give love a new start so if you see me fall, please make the call and get an ambulance for my heart cos I'm starting to spin, here I go again lights are turning on in the dark I'm losing my head, yah I know what I said but I've gotta try, and let love fly but watch and see, and if there's an emergency please call 911 ...

I'll sing for you in the evening when we lay down and stretch With melodies of watchful care and gentle rest

time is slippin away like summer into fall a gradual thing, hardly noticeable at all until the leaves aren't green and the grass doesn't need mowing I'll stop feeding the fish in my pond They'll slow down, but their life goes on huddling together down below in submerged lilies that don't grow But it won't be long till winter's come and that Is why I'm clearing things out for spring And my life's the same; it's why I'm grabbing my hat And writing songs that are made to sing Because though the leaves die and start to fall The trees are still standing strong and tall And winter really means only one thing: Soon, very soon, it's going to be spring.

lemon blonde, green-eyed kiwi upon my lips strawberry red, cheeks caressed by milky pale savoring each fruit-bejeweled sip in delight my smoothie will not fail energizing in the morning cooling in the depth of night brain-restarting throughout the day nothing, no one, but my smoothie does me quite this way. so so cooool, so satisfying a sure friend for all times restoring all the energies I need and a kindness undeserved -- i love my smoothie; what a treat!

driving red-eyed on the highway looking for the path to go home beacons warn of the work zone and the night's work looks like day i'm riding on this superstition believing it will get me there going only as fast as I dare while straining for my destination home waits for me down the road I'll get there as soon as I can there I will find the rest I need, and have a place to lighten this load

some things find greatness in diversity and change but there's one thing that should always be the same let it be consistent, true from day to day no matter what comes, no matter what they say kiss me with the one kiss, the one and only one don't change it for change or make it different just for fun it's good for tender gratitude, for blessing and for love it's the kiss I welcome, one I am never afraid of it's fun, and strong, and tender playful, laboring, free it's one I'll always remember and it's the one kiss for me greet me every morning with a welcome just like this, in the evening transforming the night with just one kiss

Shake my head, keep it clear Keep my focus on things at hand But all the while you are near And I finally understand It all comes back to you It all comes back to you No matter how I try to fill my mind It all comes back to you It's not hard to figure, not hard to share Why you get my attention all day You're always around me, everywhere In what I see, think and say It all comes back to you It all comes back to you No matter how I try to fill my mind It all comes back to you

In spite of my best efforts to be obscure You find a way to pry from me clear words Sometimes it's amusing, sometimes a little weird How you seem to see all the things I've hidden and feared You get me, when no one else does You let me, sometimes just because You set me, in places of love Where I can be with you You get me Whenever we talk you listen without reservation Even when I'm going in the wrong direction You help me see what I'm saying You gently deliver the news without pain Hey You get me, when no one else does You let me, sometimes just because You set me, in places of love Where I can be with you I could thank you all day and all night long I could even write you a few special songs But nothing would ever begin to repay The great feeling of you getting me this way So I guess you get me, when no one else does You let me, sometimes just because, You set me, in places of love Yeah you get me, I'm your reward When you met me, I was caught off guard Now you l...

You always counted on me to make sure things were going right You never doubted that I'd be the one to end every fight Though I was just a child, you burdened me with this And sure, I got tougher, but my heart has paid a price Daddy, I don't want to always be strong I don't want to be the one To have to step in the middle To keep things from blowin up I just wanna be held close and safe Have a warm chest where I can bury my face I don't want to be Always strong At first you seemed so pleased every time you were with me And I believed I made you feel loved and happy But the truth cut me like a knife All you wanted was a trophy on your arm I don't want to be Always strong I dont' want to be the one To have to keep this charade going on and on I just wanna be held close and safe Have a warm chest where I can bury my face I don't want to be Always strong

I've got problem, a syndrome, I'm a classic case for sure Whatever it is keeps me feelin lonely, and I'm doubtin that there's a cure

The room's too hot, the bed too cold My leg's too heavy, girl it's getting old All these reasons why I can't stay here All this pushing away only widens the space So I roll over again and turn my face to the wall and scratch the dog's ears I know it's not the only thing But it's a place to start I think layin close might bring A change in the heart The day is just beginning, but it seems doomed To be cold and barren, something could have bloomed If it had been planted with a welcome It's not worth demanding, or claiming a right But I'll try one more time tonight And ask for a hand, an undeserved one I know it's not the only thing But it's a place to start I think holding hands might bring A change in the heart

I reached out this morning to finger your hair and remembered again that you're not here your pillow still fluffed and cool through the night there's a warm spot on the sheet where the dog has curled but this bed and my life are empty without you, girl I wish I could say everything is gonna be alright But the first day without you is breathing on the ocean floor The first day without you makes me doubt I can take one more The first day I can't find you, but your memory is everywhere - The first day without you is one more than I can bear As I open the shades to see the sun rise I remember stayin in bed just to watch your eyes flutter open up with a stretch and a yawn It's that look I'll never be able to forget You saying you're a mess and yet You were growing more beautiful with each dawn But the first day without you leaves me without reason or hope. The first day without you leaves no doubt -- I can't cope. The first day I can't find you, but I'm...

I saw a flower, full bloom in fall, vibrant as though in spring. It's color was gentle, full -- petals silky smooth -- leaves green. I ahhed and gasped, bent to see Its essence. I looked it over carefully, examined its root and stem. I considered its beauty, saw how it added so much to the garden. Wonderfully intricate, complex, fine. Thrilled, I plucked it and took it for my own pleasure. Now it sits in my vase, growing pale, fading, losing vigor, Left alone, its beauty would please me and others as well. What a fool. Better to love the flower in its place Than to steal it away From it's garden showcase and its nourishment. What a fool.

bind, untie, unite, free my mind, my soul, my heart, me till I am all I will be and ready to go home wound, loosed, wounded, healing, my life, my body, my being life choices that are freeing them and you, and you, and me

Brushed aside, quiet resist Muffled response, fraternal kiss Mornings weren't meant to be like this Smiles, kind, honest and true Hugs, given and received, valued Words, spoken to strengthen and renew Mornings were meant to be like this

Ocher-robed man shouts "Be True!" And a hero stumbles into realization that truth's freedom comes from the outside, applied insidde growing outward becoming whole Be True! is the call Be True! as I fall Be True! sitting in the hall Be True! Drop pretense, schemes and lies Let fall divided mind and eyes Capture thoughts Wash them clean And walk away from fear

There's a stack of papers piled up high I'm punching up numbers and wondering why It adds up that there never seems to be enough Prop up my feet, leaning back in my chair Running my fingers through my thinning hair I never knew that gettin by would be this tough But when I close my eyes That's when I realize That all this doesn't mean a thing You're sneaking up behind me Wrap your arms around me Reminding me of my dreams It's you and me, girl We're gonna give it a spin We're gonna face the world And we're gonna win No matter how tough it seems We've got big plans, never gonna retire As long as your loving keeps stokin this fire It doesn't really matter how, we'll get by Hand in hand, we'll keep on keepin on Makin up the words to the rest of the song Never looking back or wondering why It's you and me, girl We're gonna give it a spin We're gonna face the world And we're gonna win Cos we've got that morning hu...

Like trudging through a long winter's book, I was dragging myself along -- Finding out that each step I took was just a step closer to being gone. You made me realize that what I had inside was worth giving all I had, And you were there to take it in stride, to love me with the good and the bad. And you put Spring in my step; You took the cold chill away You brought back all I had left, you've made it easy to say That I know who I am, and though I'm not all that great, I've got a lot workin for me, and it's still not too late To be growin up as I'm growin old To rewrite a better end To live in love, in kindness be bold and speak words I don't have to defend. And you've put Spring in my step, you took the cold chill away. You've brought back all I had left; You've made it easy to say I love you, I know who you are I'm starting to know me now, And that love will take me far -- You put Spring in my step somehow.

Just a quick call, nothing particular to say. But you say it all, when you say "hey" When you smile at me across the telephone I'm ready to stop and come running home When I'm worn out from life's wild ride You help me get up again You get me goin, you've got me runnin, You've got me headin back to your side

when I'm doing what I like, when I'm in the zone I tune everything out, Everyone wonders where I've "gone" Yeah, give me a good book, I prefer sci-fi I can get lost in the mystery of a cool private eye set me down at my computer, I'll be gone for hours tweaking my cache performance or editing "The Two Towers" Of course I'm a geek! Come'on, aren't we all? We just have different passions, an irresistible call. It draws and absorbs us, fully entwines Inspires our spirits, challenges our minds. How I can be single-minded about so many different things, Call them recreation and love the chaos that it brings? I don't know, but there's one thing that snags my attention, There's one memory for which I have excellent retention. It's the touch of love way down deep in my soul The way you wrap me in it, until I give up control And I get myself in that zone of only pleasing you Watching just to see you smile at the things that I do I...

I'll ride alone if I have to but I'd prefer a few good men and a woman to keep my heart on the trail It's doesn't mean I'm a loner or that I'm afraid to engage, simply that I am determined to set sail. A dozen different metaphors Won't say it any better -- A poem can't improve on the truth: Although I'd be glad to be wiser as I'm getting older I've got to get back to the dreams of my youth. Somewhere I turned left, though the road went straight ahead and the landscape was new and nicely arranged And it's not really a question of if the turn was a wrong one, but more likely whether or not my heart has changed. A dozen different metaphors Won't say it any better -- A song can't improve on the truth: Although I'd be glad to be wiser as I'm getting older I've got to get back to the dreams of my youth. When I left behind the dreams of young men and took up an old man's vision chasing what seemed noble pursuit I checked ...

ready to lay it down put it there on the ground but it's not fair cos you're not looking in my direction ready to give it up give it away empty my cup but you won't say you've been booking a different flight what does it take to get a good reflection? polishing the old standby? perhaps a bit of introspection will reveal the reasons why Look at me, I've not changed I'm being what I am It may be the first time but I'm not deranged I'm just doing what I can ready to turn it over inside out raised and lower within without and there's no looking at mirage's reflection ready to tune it in crank it up singing and ridin high in the stirrup and finally hooking my hat on the tree what does it take to get a good reflection? polishing the old standby? perhaps a bit of introspection will reveal the reasons why Look at me, I've not changed I'm being what I am It may be the first time but I'm not deranged I'm just doing what I can

just a poor boy looking for a princess never assuming that transformation would take more than a kiss just a worn joy, crumbling in distress nimbly sidestepping indignation that has planted all of this what garden grows in an acid rain? flourishes in scorching sun? how can a soul survive such disdain, or ignore this rejection? just a sad girl, wanting a rescue waiting for a song to be sung that isn't quite so blue just a fast whirl, starting on cue ending when you find out none of it was about you there's time to plow and plant again restart under a warm, new sun flourish in love's cool, steady rain and know this redemption

I'll readily admit it -- I was raised out in the sticks -- that place where the sweet smell of cows and pigs perfumes the afternoons and the towns are full of hicks And I know you didn't like it: my clothes, my jokes, my drawl -- But I had potential to clean up nicely, I was smart and musical, slovenly cute, and hey - I was tall The fact that my guitar knew mostly country and folk Was fine because rock was not too far from those blues-roots, and I made lap-steel a joke My hair was long, though my dad didn't like that my favorite jeans and t shirts in style, and thankfully I soon stopped wearing that crazy felt cowboy hat I could be a city slicker, and I changed my rural ways I could chase the corporate dollar Postpone my less than ambitious dreams For several thousand days But sleeping there beneath for all these grinding years have been the boots and hat and bandanna The straw-chewing barefoot afternoons and simple songs of joy and tears

When I was just a small boy surrounded by corn fields I wondered what went on in lands with mountain-rocks and hills I figured that somewhere the flat lands had to end And that someday I'd find it beyond the river's bend On my daddy's shoulders, lookin for arrowheads In the black-earth furrows, singing of adventures long dead But still I kept on dreaming that somewhere far beyond Adventures really happen, the kind that end up in my dad's song It's every Midwestern boy's dream to go farther west Caught between the town and range, not sure what's the best To watch the mountains rise up from the fertile ground To gaze at endless skies, the wind making its famous sounds And when the day finally comes that I put hat and my boots on I pray I'm lucky enough to find everything my dad sang in his songs

joy comes, insight sums, innovation is kindled anew ideas reap, promises keep, when love and life are one the distance between my heart and my world is measured in hopes and regrets with expectations and history squeezing upon me like field-surgeon's tourniquets joy comes, insight sums, innovation is kindled anew ideas reap, promises keep, when love and life are one all my nocturnal and waking dreams coincide neither matching the woven fabric of personalities and complexly crafted events of life's nonplussing rubric joy comes, insight sums, innovation is kindled anew ideas reap, promises keep, when love and life are one

we get all stuffy and urbanited garage doors closed, AC on for hours don't know that the folks we just sighted down the street are neighbors of ours