Across the Sky (JD’s Song)
The water soaks the reeds, the birds fly high above
The winds rush the valley, a pair of cooing doves
Whispers in the evening, stars across the sky
The sweep of the grasslands, the chill in the air
Frost along the tree-line, the branches cold and bare
Snow atop the Rockies, reaching across the sky
The Earth is everlasting, the world is ever here
Time is ever flowing, the moment always near
Above us, around us, like stars across the sky
Below us, within us, and there dancing in our eyes
The trickle of icy waters, rivers built from streams
Flowing to the ocean, veiling volcanic seams
touching the horizon, stretching across the sky
Every living moment, the receding sense of time
The twilight cast of shadows, ethereal and sublime
Moonlight everlasting, passing across the sky
Moonlight everlasting, moonlight ever passing,
Moonlight everlasting, like our souls
Across the sky
9/4/23
She’s Gone
Feeling lonely, feeling blue, friends say don’t sit around, and just be you
At the bar, I see this girl, very pretty, nice and sweet
I gin up my courage, get on my feet, brush back my hair, only to find…
She’s gone
Never said a word. Flew off just like a bird
Now what’s there to do? Guess I’ll try something new
I’m on my phone, swipe right; here we are all sunny and bright
I find a girl, she likes to talk. We meet for dinner, but she gets there late
Takes a look, then hesitates, says: “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
She’s gone
Never said a word. Flew off just like a bird
She left me all alone, guess I better head on home
This modern life, it isn’t me. I like things simple, just what you see
There might be someone, you never know. I’ll just keep looking and take it slow
Years go by, I find a wife. Somedays are quiet, but you know that’s life
Then I find there’s no one home. No dinner together, where did she go?
Maybe out with friends, you never know
Wait there’s a note: “I got to go. Met a better man.”
Oh
(Well, I guess we know what that means)
She’s gone
Never said a word, took off just like a bird
She up and ran away, guess there was nothing left to say
(Never said a word, took off just like a bird. Even took the dog…kinda liked that dog… Maybe there’s something on TV… maybe a game…something…)
Damn
8/24/22
Sweet Slice of Bread
Some mornings I won’t even raise my head
Some mornings are the ones that I really dread
Some days don’t ever want to roll; some days seem to always take their toll
But even in the darkness when my soul is hiding out in bed
I’ll get up for a warm sweet slice of bread
Every now and then, I heave a sigh
Sitting on my porch as the world goes by
Watching as the sun eases in the sky; wondering if life’s even worth the try
But just as a cold wind’s blowing; after everything is said
I’ll get up for a warm sweet slice of bread
Get some butter, get some jam and spread it all around
Feel those feet start floating, floating off the ground
I hear those footsteps, the knocking on my door
I find I’m dancing, dancing cross the floor
My heart starts pounding along the way
Cause I know what’s waiting there for me today
I see her holding it, and me hanging by a thread
For her warm sweet slice of bread.
Sweet slice of bread
That warm sweet slice of bread
1/17/23
In This World
Come to me she tells me, pull me close, spin me round
Tell me how much you love me, I’m the best that you’ve found
Don’t forget to remind me, that the world is a dream
Where the words that you tell me, are not what they seem
Promise me always, you’ll be there when I call
And if I lose my balance, you’ll be there should I fall
Don’t forget to remind me, that it’s all in my head
That the words that you tell me, are not what you said
All that I find in this world is not really mine
All of these words that I hear will fade out of time
Hold me close she tells me, keep me warm in your arms
Tell me how much you love me, that you’ll keep me from harm
Don’t forget to remind me, that I choose to believe
That the words that you tell me, are meant just for me
All that I find in this world will fade out of time
All of the words that you say will always be mine
All that I find in this world might not be true
But all of the words that you say will bring me to you
2/14/23
The Gift of Another Day
The sun is waiting patiently beyond the window shade
There’s breakfast if you’re interested, muffins and marmalade
Coffee and a welcoming smile
A kiss that lingers for a while
The question of what to do
And what you’d like to say
At the start of another day
A Sunday in the park, with people everywhere
Children scream and laugh, running from here to there
Mothers on their phones
Some in pairs or on their own
Watching from the corners of their eyes
Not wanting to look away
Delights of another day
A book is waiting to be read, waiting day to day
I promised oh, so many times, but time it slipped away
And then it all was gone
A moment, having moved along
Medics rushing in
Time to go
Time to go
It’s only in the quiet, when there’s nothing left to say
To the mournful tear-stained smiles
Who only want what’s best for you as you slowly drift away
And pray
For the gift of another day
The world is always spinning, churning out its news
Seeking our attention and giving us the blues
But the sun still loves to rise
And it’s good to be alive
To have you here with me
And receive
The gift of another day
The gift of another day
The gift of another day
6/11/22
When I Was 21
When I was 21, I fell in love. It hit me really hard like a bolt from above
But you know, that’s how it goes
Love is a funny thing, sometimes easy and smooth.
Gives you everything when you’re feeling the groove.
But you know, you love that, too
You got the kind of eyes, makes a man long to dream
The kind of love they sometimes call supreme, but we all know that love’s not always what it seems
When we were 25, we headed west. Took all our treasures, figured that was best
Cuz you know, that’s what you do
After travelling a while, we hit the coast, set up our little home and made some toast
Cuz you know, it’s what you do
And you have the kind of smile that makes a man long to sing
The kind of song love longs to bring, just like wedding bells and a pair of rings
The years kept moving on bringing a couple of kids, running us all around doing what we did
But you know, that’s how it goes
Then one day they’re off and gone, all big and grown, just a kiss goodbye and you’re all alone
But you know, that’s the way it goes
I see you crying as they say goodbye, holding tight to my hand as we stand in the drive
Hoping for all the best as they start their lives
Time is just a whisp of wind, that calls your name and pulls you in
You take a nice deep breath and then it’s gone with nothing left but an old man’s song
Now I’m 65 and I’ve had a long life it’s true. Ain’t got much left to say, or if I thought it through
But you know, it’ll have to do
It’s been 40 years and I’m still loving you. You’re still smiling with a wrinkle or two
And I know, you love me, too
I see you shaking your head and laughing as you do
Thinking I’m just a fool, which is probably true, but at least we know it gets us through
Me and you
When I was 21, I fell in love
3/16/23
Your Hand in Mine
I have a memory of you as a child looking up at me
You were a quiet child, blue-eyed, shy, smiling up at me
Brother and sister come together, holding down the line
Brother and sister, you and I, how I held your hand in mine
Seven years and a day are all that set us apart
You would lean into me, hold my hand, hold me in your heart
Brother and sister come together, holding down the line
Brother and sister, you and I, how I remember your hand in mine
You tell me you’re doing fine; it’s good, everything’s alright
Not to worry, you say; it’s good, everything’s alright
But I don’t believe you; I worry; something’s wrong, it’s not alright
But who am I after all these years to say what’s right
All I had to offer was my hand, but yours was out of sight
I have a dream of you as a child looking up at me
Now it’s a memory, a thought running away from me
Brother and sister, once together, holding down the line
Brother and sister, apart, how I long to hold your hand in mine
4/13/23
All the Way
Do we laugh? Do we cry? Sing a song? Say goodbye?
Give a kiss? Let it ride? Fall in love? Feel alive
Is it good… Just to say… that it’s you…all the way
Some days are with me; some pass away—without a moment, or anything to say
Sometimes you see me, other times you don’t
Sometimes you hold me close, sometimes you won’t
But this is all part of life. Talk of love, and talk of strife
Through days and months and years, through everything we love and fear
Make me laugh, make me cry. Sing the song…that makes me sigh
Hold me close, push away, flash a smile, ask to stay
Is it good… Just to say… that it’s you…all the way
But in my dreams, when I dream, I am lost and cast away
The moon and stars are all around, both in light and both in sound
Ever close, ever bound
No one sees me, or seems to care, that I neither here or neither there
Only you ever take my hand, only you in neverland
All our sorrows; all our joy, all the love that we destroyed
All that ever once belonged; reach for me, when you see, I am gone
Every moment, every day, through the years, never stray
Move away, gone today, here tomorrow, here to stay
Is it good… Just to say… that it’s you…all the way
8/27/24
When I Return
The ocean breeze, mountains majesties, amber waves, and clear running streams
Star-filled skies, the face of God, the face of time, no face at all
One day,
We’ll meet again
Across the distance, through the divide that runs between us
Rusting iron, buried bones, memories, letting go
The face of God, the face of time, no face at all
One day,
We’ll meet again
Across the distance, through the divide that runs between us
5/25/23
When You Walk Along with Me
Your eyes dance and sing
When you walk (along) with me
Your hand slips into mine
When you walk (along) with me
The road (ferries us) and time (Carries on)
But we (through each day) stay together
When you walk (along) with me
No wind is too strong
When you walk (along) with me
No winter is too long
When you walk (along) with me
This life (ferries us) along (this road)
And each day (we breathe) together (this love)
When you walk (along) with me
No ache is too deep
When you walk (along) with me
No climb is too steep
When you walk (along) with me
The road (ferries us) and time (Carries on)
But we (through each day) stay together
When you walk (along) with me
Our life feels so alive
When you walk (along) with me
Our love is always there
When you walk (along) with me
This life (ferries us) along (this road)
And each day (we breathe) together (this love)
When you walk (along) with me
3/14/22
Sing Our Song
Oh, let me hear you sing my song, sweet and low
To me, as it shimmers and slows
Sing if the highs carry you
Sing if the lows won’t let you go (sing my song)
Sing when your heart longs to express how it feels
To that love, that it seeks to reveal
Sing when the ache is just too hard to bear and no one is there (sing your song)
Sing your song if it fills you with joy
Sing your song should sorrow come to your door
Sing your song cause it thrills me when you do
Sure, they’re just pretty words that sound, oh so sweet, when you sing
When the joy just can’t be bound
And as life carries on, taking us along, while we’re singing our songs: sing along (sing our songs)
12/7/22