From the Outside

Everything looks great from the outside
It's amazing what laughter
and smiles can hide

Everything looks great from the outside
It's amazing all the details
you can keep inside

Everything looks great from the outside
It's amazing how mangled truth
never sounds like you've lied

Everything looks great from the outside
It's amazing how your heart
keeps beating even though it's died

Everything looks great from the outside
It's amazing how deftly
the illusion is applied

Everything looks great from the outside
It's amazing what smiles
and laughter can hide

Bullets Without Brains

Still judged by the color of skin
not the content of character
Did MLK even exist or
Are his dreams just fantasy and myth

Peace love and harmony
do they matter?

Bullets without brains
death, destruction and human remains
Animosity, distrust and tempers rising
Is World War Three on the horizon?

Seems like my parents marched for no reason
My words will convince others that I speak treason

Liberation and Compromise

You won't find rules already set in stone
In this reality you must create your own
Surprises on the horizon
Adventures at your door
Life is never sedentary
for those who wish to explore.

Sometimes
 it's about compromise
Others liberation
Figuring out
which one
at what moment
takes time
and
dedication.

You won't find rules already set in stone
In this reality you must create your own
Surprises on the horizon
Adventures at your door
Life is never sedentary
for those who look for more.

This

This is not what I wanted.

This isn't the way it should be.

This is not what I planned.

This isn't  unfolding properly.

This isn't going to last.

This won't be forever.

This isn't just a phase.

This isn't just one of those things.

This won't last forever.

This too shall pass.

What Happened

I don't know what happened
that can't possibly be the time
I remember waking up
but now the sun's met the horizon line.

Drifting in and out of hours
thinking thoughts not quite concrete
Some how today decided that
it must escape from me

Gotta get it together
Gotta find my focal point
Summer days won't last forever
Soon it'll be time for stormy weather

My many moods are becoming one
My mental state's not quite undone
Keep the demons on the run
Time for reality, won't that be fun

More and More

More and more
I'm noticing
I don't know who
is on the screen

I can't name
that tune or
even the band

I use the language
of another land

More and More
my meals
have changed
eating healthier
is not so strange

Get more sleep
Drink more water
Staying up late's
not all that great.

Sleeping in
enjoying the day
languidly
wiling the
hours away

Is it comfy?
Is it warm?
Will it weather
a coming storm?
Questions for clothing
has definitely changed.
Comfy not cutesy is
not a shame.

Seeing age from
the other side
Noticing
smile lines
and silver hairs
Understanding the value
of I don't care.

Famous, infamous
Friends and family
One by one all whom
you know will
eventually have to go.

I now grasp fully phrases
once said to me
The age you are
is not the age you'll be.

Look in the mirror and I see
a me not quite the me
I used to be

Birthday by birthday
I've come this far
Make a wish and
it still will be

More and more
is reality
no matter if
you kick and scream

Why not accept it
gracefully?
Continue to persist
quite passionately.
Appreciate the moments
of everyday
Don't let your true
essence fade away.

Time

Fleeting flashes

behind closed eyes.

Questionable memories

of times gone by.

How did I get here?

Where did you go?

What happens in the moment

seems to disappear in years.

I'm uncertain of my 

next tomorrow-

Where I will be?

What it will bring?

But as for today,

with feathers,

I play.

In My Way

Wanted to sleep in today

something got in my way

Wanted to run errands today

something got in my way

Wanted to be myself today

something got in my way

Wanted more time today

something got in my way

wanted so much for today

something got in my way

Something got in my way

That's what happens 

when you make plans

My reality

Today begins the return to me
of my unique reality
Freedom in its many forms
makes a comeback as my
daily norm

My reality
My life choice
I hear it calling
in its own voice

Looking forward to its return
Taking with me what I have learned
Looking forward to start anew
Looking for ward to what I might do

Today begins the return to me
of my unique reality
Freedom in its many forms
makes a comeback as my
daily norm

Laugh Alone

Did you stop to notice
you laugh alone?
Not the last to get the joke
just the only to find it funny.

Not everything is meant to be
a crisis of faith, a statement on
the state of things.

Don't say develop a thicker skin.
Don't say you need to learn to take it.

Funny is what you choose to make it
but I've always known;
It's not funny
if you laugh alone.

Listen

Listen,
Listen to the sound
of the words not spoken.

Listen,
Listen to the thoughts
that lie just below
your consciousness.

Listen,
Listen to the inner voices
that you keep trying to deny.

Listen,
Listen to all the stories
so that you can hear the lie.

Listen,
Listen and take heed.

Listen,
Listen and discover.

Listen,
Listen before it is too late
for you to recover
what once was.

Listen,
Listen to those inner voices
that you keep trying to deny.

Listen,
Listen so you can hear the truth
beneath the lie.

Freedom of Being an Adult

It's hard to be the only one
who takes care of you
It's lovely when
you can share what
you need to do.

Breakfast tastes better
when someone else makes it
For that matter
lunch and dinner do too.

It's hard to be the only one
who takes care of you
It's lovely when
you can share what
you need to do.

Make the bed
Wash the dishes
Can't clean the bowl
through a thousand wishes.

It's hard to be the only one
who takes care of you
It's lovely when
you can share what
you need to do.

Grocery shopping
can be a bore
but no one eats
without this chore.

It's hard to be the only one
who takes care of you
It's lovely when
you can share what
you need to do.

Can't believe I asked for this
the freedom of being and adult

Work it out

Somehow we manage
to make it work
Less hours than we need
More projects than we thought
Somehow it all gets done

Wonder Woman
Super Man
Doing the best
that we can
With the  cards we have
been dealt

Breathe in
Breathe out
Remove your doubt
because it's true
Somehow you
will manage too
Somehow we all manage
to work it out

Yes or No

Grounded in reality
but longing for the stars
Tell me will I ever know
if there is life on Mars?

Did you never daydream.
Were you told to stop?
Didn't you ever wonder
if this world would be enough?


Beyond the sky lay space and time
all I want's to make them mine
Tell me that I have the key
don't shake your head and dismiss me.

Tell me No and I forget
that once I had all the answers
Tell me yes and just who knows
The worlds you can discover in me.

Another Morning

Morning takes me into another day
Am I ready for all that may come my way?
Life's ever hectic pace has caught up to me
and woefully unprepared as I am
I must settle down and do what must be done.

Days pass quickly into weeks
Only time can tell me if I am on the right path.
Ready or not time waits for no one
Ready or not time marches on
I might be more prepared than I know
only one way for me to go.

Months move swiftly into years
is it possible we're all still here?
Time never stands still when you need it to
and never moves fast enough when you notice.
I cannot know what dreams may come.
I can only do this day by day.
Another morning and here I am.
Another morning and here I stand.

Resolutions

A little early for resolutions
Don't really make those anyway
Time to rethink where I'm going
what I'm doing and what games
 I want to play

A little early for resolutions
Don't really make those anyway
I have to be more flexible
or wind up fixed on
inconsequential details

A little early for resolutions
Don't really make those anyway
Taking stock of my current
reality makes me want to
improve the quality
of me, myself and I

Don't really make resolutions
no promises I can't keep
but I do know I need to
do more for me
I've miles to go before I sleep

Explosive Reality

Explosive with the knowledge that

hope shall provide a vision to come

is the child whose dreams

are on the verge of coming true

within the boundaries of a universe

waiting to expand into reality.

The Road

Crosswalk

Jay walk

Corner to Corner

How do we cross it?

How do we reach it?

The one less traveled;

The one we all must take.

Come to the fork

Stay in the middle

Is it dirt or

Is it paved?

How do we cross it?

How do we reach it?

The one less traveled

where the difference is made.

Too Soon

Even if I turn off the volume

close my eyes tighter

and ignore the morning light

I know it's that time again

and I am not ready for it all to begin

Mornings are a rough start to the day

There has to be another way

to awaken me from slumber

Too soon the dark of night 

turns into day

Too soon the warm blankets

must give way 

Too soon my return

to responsibilities of the day

Too soon

is all I have to say

I know it's that time again

and I am not ready for it all to begin

Small Steps

Small steps.

Rebuilding habits

Lost for a while

returning to now.

Not quite sure of

how to proceed,

Will figure it out.

Will figure it out.