That Ride

I have gained a level of trust in that when I find myself untethered and quite iterally lost in the wilderness, some salvation will appear with enough force to rock my world. One such night I was reminded I was worthy of love.

Far from town and far from sensible, Pack was getting heavy, feet getting tired

I Stopped to linger at the darkest spot, looking up I was blessed by a shooting star.

The moment was blurred by some oncoming lights, a muscle cars noisy tail pipes

Probably thinking I was looking for a ride.

If you had asked me, I would have told you I was doing fine

Then I saw that smile

All my troubles and fears disappeared in the dashboard light

MMM, I took that ride

We drove up into the mountains, something heady on the radio

She pulled in next to the waterfall, that cold water baptizing me

She smoked me out on the mountaintop, laughed so hard our bodies hurt

If you had asked me, I would have told you I was doing fine

Then I saw her smile

All my troubles and fears disappeared in the dashboard light

MMM, I took that ride

She drove me crazy then she drove me home, I can't remember the last time I felt so clean

MMM I took that ride

I took that ride

Oh yeah, I took that ride.

Come My Darling

The spark of creativity that floods our brain as the chemistry of romance takes over is at first a small flame in need of attention. A special place; a sacred journey; raising voices in song; all fuel the joyous inferno that may follow, which still requires our precious devotion to endure.

Happenstance had them cross paths

They made each other smile and they made each other laugh

He was from uptown she across the tracks

They found common ground in an old abandoned shack

Where they’d dance to the music in their heads

Kicking up dust in that old homestead

And as the moon rose up and the dew came down

The world didn’t make a sound

Come my darlin, come away with me

On a motorcycle they hastened with speed

Towards the sunset and what lay beyond

They had faith in each other and were gone, gone

And they sang home is where the heart is

And the hills rang with the sounds of their voices

And they dared to believe in something greater

And the world was full of sound

Years roll on and stories end

Some of the good ones come around again

Heroes of the heart are never out of time

Like a constellation they shine

Skipping through the heavens holding hands

Harmonizing the celestial band

One for the ages and those to come And the world became one

And they’d dance to the music in their heads

Kicking up dust in that old homestead

And they sang home is where the heart is

And the hills rang with the sounds of their voices

And the world became love

Redemption

After romanticizing an epic background for a fall from grace in this poetic sketch, I visited NYC and realized that most of the stories that lead to homelessness are probably not epic. If not for grace, we could all have a series of un-noteworthy events compound with our personal weaknesses and drag us into a hell from which we can find no escape.

I was dodging puddles and rain drops, Heard her voice from under the Daily News

Something about it reached out and grabbed me, Hmmm, I was shaken loose

She kept starting at the beginning, As if she told it over and over She’d finally get it right

Something so innocent in her voice, The fates had played their games, she had no choice

Now she’s crying out for redemption

Crying out, Shouting at the rain

Crying out for redemption

With no hope of being saved

Over time I put it together, She wasn’t from the corner of 14th and 9th

She hailed from the land of tornadoes, gonna make a name for herself in Broadway lights

Seems she was quite the dancer, So she told a friend I couldn’t see

It started out as she had expected, But she became someone she couldn’t be

Now she’s crying out for redemption

Crying out, Shouting at the rain

Crying out for redemption

With no hope of being saved

Often-times I thought of how I could help her, More than just a few bills in her cup

There’s another story just like hers on the next corner, And two more on the next block

Crying out for redemption

Crying out, Shouting at the rain

Crying out for redemption

With no hope of being saved

With no hope of being saved

With no hope of being saved

Down On the Corner

Life can be simple. A sunny day and few plans is all it takes to see life in a different way. It is a gift when such a feeling cuts through the noise

Downtown on a corner standing tall, bag on the sidewalk back against the wall

Letting time do its thing, waiting on a ride back home

An easy smile for every stranger passing by, troubles of the world so far from mind

Skinneemarinkadeedledee, Skinneemarinkadoodledoo, going home 

Sometimes it just makes sense, all the confusion and ignorance

Doesn’t seem so bad, getting better anyway, a little bit each day

Round round the mind’s a merry go round, see-sawing kids skipping through the playground

Up the slide jump into thin air, come on

Jump on a two wheeler spin around the block, let your hair down buy an ice pop

Dance in the sprinkler until your ready to drop, come on

Sometimes it just makes sense, all the confusion and ignorance

Doesn’t seem so bad, getting better anyway, a little bit each day

Lying ‘round on a sunny day, no worries about finding my way

I am right where I belong, sitting here singing this song

Sometimes it just makes sense, all the confusion and ignorance

Doesn’t seem so bad, getting better anyway, a little bit each day

Down on a corner standing tall, feet on the ground no need to call

Time is rolling, rolling me back home

Smile smile for every each and last mile, leaving the world so far behind

Skinneemarinkadeedledee, Skinneemarinkadoodledoo, going home

Sometimes it just makes sense, all the confusion and ignorance

Doesn’t seem so bad, getting better anyway, a little bit each day

Sometimes it just makes sense, all the confusion and ignorance

Doesn’t seem so bad, getting better anyway, a little bit each day

Amber Waves

A flashback to a psychedelic night in Washington Sq. Park when a banjo playing clown Pied-Pipered a bunch of village kids and shared the wisdom gained by those who have lived a long life. They left the fountain on overnight in those days, and The Professor’s jovial prankster sur la vie blew all our minds.

Child sitting in a field, picture on a mantle

Hawk circles overhead and it all seems so fragile

Amber fields of grain, waving hello and goodbye

Tears of joy, warmed by the summer sun

Come with me take my hand, we can go together

Dance in the moonlight round the fountain

I got you and you got me, and everyone can see

When we’re together we are winning

Prices going up, quality going down

Old folks speak of better times and the kids, we are trying

Where will you turn, when you look away

You can’t take it when you go and we all want to stay

Come with me take my hand, we can go together

Dance in the moonlight round the fountain

I got you and you got me, and everyone can see

When we’re together we are winning

Where will you go, when it all comes down

Where will you find yourself, when you are found

Banish misfortune, chase the clouds from your eyes

Let go of fear and fly

Come with me take my hand, we can go together

Dance in the moonlight round the fountain

I got you and you got me, and everyone can see

When we’re together we are winning

Home To You

It’s little, often quiet, moments when distance-challenged lovers feel the pain. It is not a sorrow that brings tears, nor does it inspire theatrics because the mourning is tempered by the knowledge of pending reunion. 

Sitting by the lake, mud between my toes

Tickled by the breeze, sun upon my nose

If I had know it’d be so hard, I wouldn’t have left you behind

Now it’s just one more haul and I’ll be on my way

On my way back home to you

Seems like eternity, since last I saw your smile

Got an achin’ in my heart, I’ll be home in just a while

‘Cause I’m on my way back home to you

Through the heat of the day and the cold of night

My thoughts all run to you

And in my dreams you comfort me and I come for you

I’ve read all your letters, more than a time or two

Those worn out papers, keep me connected to you

I’m on my way back home to you

Through the heat of the day and the cold of night

My thoughts all run to you

And in my dreams you comfort me and I come for you

I’m on my way back home to you, I’m on my way back home

I’m on my way back home to you

Let’s Take the Time

Love is easy, it is 90 percent zoological… at first. For it to last it requires communication, both listening and sharing. It isn’t easy for us XY-ers, but with practice we can get there.

Let’s take the time, to share what’s on our minds

Before the sun goes down

The night will be long, and we will sing our songs

Like the one about the angels or dancing ‘round the fount

Kissing you ‘til I lose count, rolling in each other’s arms

But now I want to hear about your day, all the little things you have to say

Staring at your face

Every last detail, don’t worry if it comes out straight

I love your curls, your twists and your twirls

And colors my world, eases my pain

And I talk to you, I bare my soul to you, feel so whole with you

Our love has opened a door, I feel like I can let go like never before

Now come whisper in my ear, all the things I want to hear

And I will lay you down

Wrap you in the heavens, hold on to you

Never let you go, no never ever let you go

The dream will never grow cold, our love will never grow old

So let’s take the time, to share what’s on our minds

Before the sun goes down

The night will be long, and we will sing our songs

Listen to Her Sing

I am fortunate to have been guided by some very wise women throughout my life. I am amazed how the depth of their wisdom continues to grow and am pained that society benefits so little from this deep pool of knowledge.

She looks in the mirror and sees, what everybody sees

The tell of a life well spent, happily

The lines tell the story of how it wasn’t always easy

But she always comes through with dignity

And her eyes still sparkle like they always did

Just like when she was younger, when she was just a kid

And her cheeks are still rosy even before the makeup goes on

And her smile still lights up the room when she slaps one on

She is singing her swan song, Singing so clear and high

So much to share and so much care, God damn listen to her sing

All her lights are on, she’s never been so strong

She could solve the world’s troubles over tea

All is clear now, all is dear now

God has revealed the mystery

She is singing her swan song, Singing so clear and high

So much to share and so much care, God damn listen to her sing

Her house is empty these days everyone’s gone their own way 

she doesn’t mind being alone

Still she wonders if, all the precious gifts 

She has will go unshared

She is singing her swan song, Singing so clear and high

So much to share and so much care, God damn listen to her sing

Listen to her sing Listen to her sing

Shaking the ground beneath my feet

Listen to her sing Rocking the pillars of heaven

Listen to her sing Listen to her sing

All her sisters in chorus

Listen to them sing

Listen to them sing

Maybe We Could

Love is a challenge, but we can always get better at it. 

Maybe we could, maybe we should babe

Fall deeper in love

So many years in the rear view

Each one a gift from above

We’be been learning, we’ve been growing

Walking side by side

I don’t know how much deeper we can go

But baby, let’s take the ride

Something about a best friend, something about the sparkle in our eye

We are like mirrors for each other

Showing only brightest  and best

This short journey so much better   

With our love filling out chest

One smile from you surely makes my day

Or on the telephone hearing you laugh

I see the joy in your eyes when I walking towards you

I know its surely gonna last

‘Cause there’s something about a best friend, something about the sparkle in our eye

Everyone can see, when they look at you and me

They can see the love that we share

Everyone can see, when they look at you and me

They can see the love that we share

First friends then lovers

Eyes open wide

Seeing the truth of each other

Seeing the roots growing deep inside

Mind, body and spirit grow together

Like twister roots of twisted trees growing in a twisted scene 

We growing higher and higher as we grow lower

And towards unity at the same time

‘Cause there’s something about a best friend, something about the sparkle in our eye

Everyone can see, when they look at you and me

They can see the love that we share

Everyone can see, when they look at you and me

They can see the love that we share

Real Thing

A band member quit to find a ‘normal’ life causing me to rethink where I had been putting all my energy. When I am hyper-focused on one aspect of my life it can help to have a little head slap to open my vision. Thanks Linda!

Sitting here, thinking my mind, whatever happened to us

I know we’re supposed to be writing it off but I ain’t been writing much

Just when I was feeling most down you go and call me up

hadn't been such a long time still it took me by surprise

You said you had to get away from the grind this city life was killing you

You did such a good job convincing me it was best for you I had to wonder  would it be best for me

There ain't nothing like the real thing

To make you feel alive

Maybe some night maybe some weekend

we'll get together and give it another try

You ask what I've been doing with my time I hear mockery in your words

So I read a list of my gains You ask me what has it all been worth 

There ain't nothing like the real thing

To make you feel alive

Maybe some night maybe some weekend

we'll get together and give it another try

And before I knew what I was doing you had me packing up my bags

Throwing the rest away

Funny when you realize how little it's really worth

There ain't nothing like the real thing

To make you feel alive

Maybe some night maybe some weekend

we'll get together and give it another try

we'll get together and we'll get high