April 14: Purpose to Serve Part 2: Honor the Earth

II.  Honor the Earth

The earth has provided.  The earth is the carrier.

It’s given us pleasures that make our lives merrier.

The earth also has its natural barriers,

And dangers we may need to face!

Thus we inherit both doubts and success,

And sometimes it’s present, or impending, distress

That prods at our minds, and makes us progress

Towards knowing and finding our place!  (Verse 2x, Only I inherit)

Thirsty, I stumble on a rushing river.

I must figure out how to build a bridge!

A dry wind is blowing, and I start to shiver.

I’ll need to climb over the ridge,

But seek shelter under a ledge.

In the wilderness, I can go on forever,

And there’s joy in survival as I learn to be clever.

Sometimes the achievement of my higher endeavors

Requires joining in with the community.

Get some support when I’m feeling pressed;

A chance to put my skills to the test;

Other perspectives to determine what’s best,

(And a hundred new faces of lunacy!)

Up against many converging forces

Which in time must be resolved

By the utilization of my best resources,

Sometimes a solution evolves.

Sometimes - there’s just too much involved!

In all of this, I strive for expression:

To state what is true without concessions;

To stand for what’s just and to look for connections

With the life I perceive all around.

I draw upon science and engineering.

I try to see past how my life is appearing,

Never forgetting what I hold endearing

While creating with light and sound.

In the many modes of life and survival,

This is a pathway I choose;

Always preparing for the Kingdom’s arrival,

Straightening what’s been confused;

Not yet knowing how my work will be used!

I honor the earth, for the earth is the carrier!

Its natural beauty has made my life merrier.

I praise its abundance and also its barriers;

And its storms, which we may need to face!

In the vastness of space, we are graciously blessed.

Who can deny that we’ve made it a mess!

Shall we live what we mean - by doing our best,

Doing honor to this time and this place?

We are more than mirrors of life’s expression

As we state what is true without concessions,

And stand for what’s just and look for connections

In the life we perceive all around.

I draw upon science and engineering.

I try to see past how my life is appearing,

Never forgetting what I hold endearing

While creating with light and sound.

I honor the earth, for the earth is the carrier!

Its natural beauty has made my life merrier.

I praise its abundance and also its barriers;

And its storms, which we may need to face!

In the vastness of space, we are graciously blessed.

Who can deny that we’ve made it a mess!

Shall we live what we mean by doing our best,

Doing honor to this time and this place?

April 13: Purpose to Serve, Part 1: Fate into Destiny

Purpose to Serve

I.  Fate into Destiny

I do have a purpose.  I have a goal.

Quite simply, it’s a matter of soul,

That enables me to take many a role --

For furthering paths of humanity.

I relish each challenge to get involved:

If it’s strife or confusion, that it be resolved,

Or if it’s a problem, that the barriers dissolve,

So we move beyond fate into destiny.

I assimilate service with creative visions –

Well, I don’t want to be too proud:

I’m applying right now for an office position,

Wondering how I stand out from the crowd.

Will any of my dreams be allowed?

Like - heart-to-heart communication;

Insight to deal with life’s complication,

While ever striving for simplification

And a lifestyle that can be sustained;

A humbleness to be always learning;

The culture evolves, but the world keeps on turning.

Through all of the changes, each heart is yearning

That  awareness be reached and maintained.

For the future, we can’t be completely prepared.

All the ways that I got here?  It’s shameful to tell!

Life is precious  – and so we all get scared,

But, even in times that we’re going through hell,

I have learned that it’s all just as well!

A great acacia eventually falls,

Pushing back the forest walls.

The birds in its branches might be appalled,

But not the young trees in its shade.

They were healthy; doing alright;

Feeling protected both day and night,

But when the morning comes, and they see the sun light,

It’s a moment for which they had prayed!

Like the trees, I know how to keep in my role.

Fundamentally, it’s a matter of soul

I do have a purpose; yes, I have a goal

To be furthering paths of humanity!.

I relish each challenge to get involved:

If it’s strife or confusion, that it be resolved,

Or if it’s a problem, that the barriers dissolve,

So we move beyond fate into destiny.

April 12: Lisa after the Small Town Dance

After The Small Town Dance

We had taken a walk from the small town dance.

I had gotten sweet on Lisa and she gave me a chance:

She'd consider me her boyfriend if I showed some good intent;

If I could help her break through from her predicament.

I could see my car, not too far up the street,

We'd been hiking in the rain in our soaking clothes and feet.

 I asked her what time she had to be home.

She glared at me and said, “Baby, I live alone!

And nobody tells me when it’s time to come or go!

I don’t mean to be impatient.  There’s just so much that you don’t know!

But then her voice grew softer, and she gave my back a pat.

She said, “It's not about you.  I've got some time to chat.”

Lisa had me laughing when we got to the car

About how men live in their heads, but that’s just how we are!

She said, “You better take me home or else we’re both gonna freeze!”

When a car with no headlights came out from the trees.

When I flashed my lights, I saw the nozzle of a gun.

Lisa said, “Ed’s out having some fun!”

But when the rifle blasted out into the night,

I said, “I think Ed’s out looking for a fight!”

In a second, or less, I hit the pedal,

And then a second shot rang into our metal.

Then when I saw there was a road block ahead,

I spun my car around and drove straight towards crazy Ed.

As we approached his car, I drove real slow,

Slouching down a little, to keep my head low.

I called out the window, “Hey Ed, what the fuck?”

He said, “That girl Lisa is our little duck!”

That’s when I made the tires squeal,

With five little sports cars right at our heals.

I was hot with the thought of Lisa disgraced,

And all across the town we eluded their chase,

  

Chorus:

Lisa, Lisa - What have you done?

What games have you played?  What battles have you won?

Has someone done you wrong?  I hope I can do you right.

I hope we can get along, if just for only one night.

Then I played what I knew would be my winning card,

And headed my car into the lumber yard.

I knew the layout, (That’s where I had my job.)

And the dogs that protected the place from being robbed.

I took out my key, and opened up the gate,

And we stepped into a shed where we could rest and wait.

Our pursuers were there in a minute or so,

And they stood next to the fence.  I heard them whispering low.  

They climbed into the lumber yard, one by one –

Ed was first to enter.  He was brandishing his gun.

I sent all three dogs off onto the attack

Knocked one guy over right onto his back.

Ed shot the lock off, so the other guys escaped,

But they didn’t get away in very good shape.

I called off the dogs, just to show I wanted peace,

And went into the office to call the police.

Chorus

Then I called my boss.  He says, "Are you okay?"

I told him that I'm sorry that I let 'em get away.

He told me where to look for a padlock and chain.

He said, "I know how it is, kid.  You don't have to explain!"

The guy who had fallen got up and tried to crawl.

He was fumbling with his phone, trying to make a call.

Lisa said, "Barry!  Don't you try any tricks!"

And the phone went flying when she gave it a kick.

Lisa said, "Barry, you've got no place to go.

Just tell the police the things that they'll want to know.

It won't be too long before you get out,

And I'll still be around , so you can give me a shout."

 As we waited in the drizzle, Barry started to whine.

Lisa got a rag to clean his cuts full of grime.

He called out to us as the cops put on his cuffs,

But we got back in my car, because we’d both had enough.

Chorus

Lisa said, “Steve, now don’t take me home.

I don’t know where to go, but don’t leave me alone!

Ed and all his buddies’ gonna try and hunt me down!”

I said, “Let’s go to my place on the other side of town.

April 11: Lisa at the Small Town Dance, The Song

Lisa at the Small Town Dance, The Song

I saw Lisa at a small town dance.

She was kissing all the fellas – well I wanted my chance,

But once I tracked her down, I was too shy to talk.

She said, “What do you say?  Let’s go for a walk!”

She said, “I just had to get out of that place –

Too many other girls -- getting on my case;

Too many fellas just wanting some ass,

And a couple old boyfriends – stuck in the past.”

I said, “I’m glad I was able to help you get a break,

But I hope I don’t turn out to be another mistake,

Because to have this time to meet you is a dream come true.

I guess you could say I’ve got a crush on you!”

She said, “Give me some time to get to know who you are.

Maybe we could park somewhere, if you’ve got your car!”

“I admire you, I said, because you seem so very free!”

She said, “I’m not sure you’d want to be me!”

Her Folk had had no trust, and she’d tried to escape,

But then became a victim of serial rape.

Having put out a little just to make a new friend,

She was facing demands that would never quite end.

Chorus:

Lisa, Lisa - you're so very pretty.

Life got rough when you left the city,

But that's not the way that it has to be,

And I hope you'll come to me!  

We both just want to be free!

She said, “I can’t be boxed in by social conventions,

But I at least need my friends to have some good intentions!

Some people blame me because it happened that way,

And when I speak about my shame, they only look away!”

I said, “I want to know whatever is true,

And I’m sorry for what people have done to you!

Such blatant de-meaning just makes me feel disgusted:

Betrayed as you’ve been by the guys you had trusted!”

She asked, “Are you really different?  Could you sometimes be crude?

I’m sure the way you’d show it would be somewhat more subdued.”

I said, "I’ll show you my craziness, but I’ll do it with respect.

I don’t want to use you.  I just want to connect.”

I said, “But then, I also have that physical attraction.

Should I be ashamed when that’s my natural reaction?

I don’t want to curb my passions.  I don’t want to be excused.

But after all you have suffered, I hope I’m someone you could choose!”

Then the lightning flashed and the thunder roared.

I asked her if my love could be a risk she could afford.

She said, “Right now I just can’t know  - what it is I’d have to gain.”

I said, “I want the chance to show you.”  Then it started to rain.

Chorus

She said, “Isn’t this romantic?  Caught in a thunderstorm!”

I reached out for her hand and I found that it was warm.

And as the wind blew through our clothing, and the raindrops stung my face,

I released the comfort of her hand, to make a fleeting embrace.

For as the lightning flashed on her shirt-soaked breasts,

It seemed to be posing me some kind of a test.

She said, “A lot of men just fantasize of getting me in bed.

I’m glad I have a gentleman to talk to instead."

“All right,” I told her.  “So tell me a story

About something you’ve wished for, or a moment of glory.”

We plodded on in silence, in squeaky, soaking shoes,

And I began to talk - about the evening news.

Then the thunder made a tremendous crack

That threw my whole story all out of whack.

She stopped me short and said, “Let’s do it like this!”

And parted my lips with a kiss.

So at last I held her in a strong embrace,

And we met one another, face to face.

You don’t know how it strengthened me to feel her caress,

Standing pelvis to pelvis, and breath to breath.

Chorus

The rain on our faces tasted sweet and pure.

My shyness vanished and I became self-assured.

She said, “What were you alluding to in the six o’clock report?”

“I guess you had to be there,” Was the best I could retort.

April 10: Colder Than Cold

Colder Than Cold

I think it just got colder than cold

When you said it could never work.

We get more and more ruthless as we start to get old.

I concur with your need to break free from the mold,

But I can hardly believe what I’ve just been told,

And that you could say it with such a smirk.

The whole town seems to want to just sulk and hide

As I step  out into the foggy night.

My coat doesn’t touch the chill inside;

My plans I had built with so much pride;

The hopes I believed in which now have died.

I know that nothing can make it all right.

We never stop searching for where we belong;

To find the best pathway to getting along,

As we pass through the jungle of rights and of wrongs,

Seeking within what it means to be strong,

Doing our best to carry on.

I’d parked my car across the parking lot.

On its hood sits a man who is playing with a knife.

I feel for my cell phone, but I must have forgot

It there on the seat with my movie plot.

He sees me coming and he fires a shot,

So I turn and I run for my life!

I go back to the tavern, but the place has shut down.

There’s a convenience store across the street.

Should I take the train to get across town,

Or get the help I need for standing my ground?

“The phone doesn’t work,” says “the man” with a frown.

A young cripple begs something to eat.

When I get to my house, the police are there,

Following up on a crime.

The shot I had heard in the foggy air

Had hit an old woman in a rocking chair.

The cop is asking me, “were you really unaware

Of what happened in that place and time?”

"What  made you park your vehicle so far from the bar

And then flee from the scene to the service station?

Now listen, I have no idea who you really are,

But I’ve read the screen play you left in your car,

And I’ve tested the urine you keep in a jar.

You’re under investigation!”

We never stop searching for where we belong;

To find the best pathway to getting along,

As we pass through the jungle of rights and of wrongs,

Seeking within what it means to be strong,

When the world is spinning out of control.

I said to the cop, “I’m not feeling so well.

Can we take it from here in the morning?”

He says, “I think you’ve got a story to tell,

And I can tell that you’re a criminal by the way that you smell,

So get in the squad car, ‘cause you’re going to hell,”

And he slaps on the hand cuffs without warning!

So I sit there and wonder just what’s  coming next.

Was there damning evidence hidden somewhere on my phone?

I have many things to do.  Now it’s so complex!

Will the inmates think I’m good for sex?

Why are there so many disconnects?

And why am I left so alone?

We never stop searching for where we belong;

To find the best pathway to getting along,

As we pass through the jungle of rights and of wrongs,

Seeking within what it means to be strong,

When we just don’t have a place we can go!

The morning came and went, but I’m up for release.

The judge thinks I seem to be okay!

I’m belched from the belly of the ravenous beast,

With a relentless hunger that never seems to cease.

I get some relief, but just a portion of peace,

It’s only this time I’ve got away!

Now, for all these things I’ve gone through, seems like nothing’s really changed,

Except I’m touching the place where I’ve been shaken.

Suddenly my prospects seem wonderful and strange.

What can I hold on to when my life’s been re-arranged?

What is my position in a world that’s been deranged?

Who do I become when I’ve been forsaken?

We never stop searching for where we belong;

To find the best pathway to getting along,

As we pass through the jungle of rights and of wrongs,

Seeking within what it means to be strong,

Living the convictions of our souls!

I think it just got hotter than hot

When she asked me to come on out to play!

Did she think somehow that I’d already forgot

How she’d cut me off when I liked her a lot.

I was morbidly engrossed, so I figure, “Then, why not

Go back out to see her anyway?”

I don’t know where it’s going, but I kind of like the fear.

I just want to get beyond that place we were!

And remember my love is what I’ve got right here;

That our time on earth is precious and I want to hold it dear,

And that in life’s rough and tumble it’s my goal to be clear,

And that’s the freedom that I want to share with her!

I’ll never stop searching for where I belong;

To find the best pathway to getting along,

As I pass through the jungle of rights and of wrongs,

Seeking within what it means to be strong,

And express what I’m feeling in my songs!