You say that you want me but I don't believe
as I sit in your silence uncovering me
over thinking that you would even seldom think
my tumultuous waters were worth a small drink
I'm busted and broken and all sorts of wrong
living a sentence of the same fateful song
I've stolen and shaken and I'm truly mistaken
fearful of losing of what's been foresaken
Not worthy of much except this hand that's been dealt
where feelings were erected but are no longer felt
It's strange but not strange, as life leaves me behind
with two swollen eyes and a congenial mind
Always adapting, acceptingly backing
to a man, not attacking
this song has been sung
and sung and sung
Memorial Day Is Here Again
I saw a wounded soldier’s baby
Smooth his stumpy leg, and
I know he cried tears inside his heart,
For his babe, but as babes will do,
She smiled acceptingly and hugged him round his neck,
She will always love him faithfully,
And be his healing nurse.
We’ll study war no more, Isaiah wrote,
But lurking fear we cannot describe,
Doesn’t save us from “You kill me, I’ll kill you,”
And think we’re justified.
Memorial Day is here again and
We’ll crush that fear inside,
Long enough to honor the courageous,
Men and women who hurt and die,
Who stand up for us every day
With even more anxiety than we,
But who act for us by noble proxy,
Suffering for mankind’s deeds,
And Freedom!
Sorrow is my companion
As a shadow that follows me
Pushing the past into the front
Demanding that I finally see
Acceptingly I turn my attention
Call this exiled part of me home
Sitting together in silence
You will never again be alone
Finally, knowing you are welcome
I am sorry to have pushed you aside
Disowned you when all that you wanted
Was to acknowledge, and let go my pride
Healing with love and attention
You soften your hold on the pain
Knowing you were always a part of me
Two become whole once again
Outward swing saloon doors,
Hanging heavy in the midday sun
Where but fools or legends walk
Burnt and scarred,
World weary
The gecko sings
Slow, rhythmical, a slow heavy march
Whining in the din of midday silence
The dust stirs
In the saturated air
Storm’s coming
Out of barred doors
The free hurl the damned
Face to the dust
His last respite
Breath is heavy
Eyes dead
Hope gone
He stands
The mob gathers
And the drums call
Resonating the dead wood
To fever pitch
Sir you stand accused…
The accused stares to the heavens
Acceptingly
The lawman’s drone continues
The drums stop as the clouds
Form darkly
Storm’s here
The hammer falls
Guilty
The drums take up the call
As the gecko’s dirge begins
The air breaks
Rippling across the mob
He breathes again in the rain
The fools and legends retire
Onto wet dust
Tramping to the sound of drumming
The rope falls.
A dance I’ll steal from this night
And move slowly with the moon
Stars will shine upon my feet
I will create a waltz for each one.
My arms move slowly, entrancingly
Hypnotizing sleepy watching eyes
Light sprinkles on my face from above
My bare feet glide across the breezy grass
A dance I’ll steal from this night
Sailing between each strong tree
Fireflies accompany my spellbound trance
Musical allusions fly alongside.
The flowers bloom acceptingly in the still of the night
Their quieted lights reveal the dreams of those asleep
Nuzzled in their nests as I drift below the leaves
Dancing in a daze, as I would in any sleep.
My feet skim a cool stream’s edge
Fresh water glittering on my lively legs
A skip across the small blue belt
The constitution of the forest
Winding from end to end.
A dance I’ve stolen from the night
In a forest of breathtaking captivities
Each shining star a kindly ovation
To my dreamy wander.