The Forecast

Looks like we’re in for heavy rain
A mix of sorrow filled with pain
Your star is set to glow tonight
Thirty percent chance of delight
A little joy, a lot of strife
Such are the seasons of this life
But there’s no use in repining
Like the sun, you’ll soon be shining

The horizon is dark with doom
A mix of pity filled with gloom
Before the sun falls from the sky
Thirty percent chance you’ll know why
One day a sinner, then a saint
Apply another coat of paint
It’s just a storm you’re going through
Tomorrow all things will be new

It sure looks like its gonna pour
A mix of hatred drenched with war
There’s trouble in the atmosphere
Thirty percent chance we’re not clear
One day a martyr, then a gun
Hailstorm of bullets spares no one
Don’t let the weather keep you in
We’re counting on peace to begin

A mix of anguish with moist eyes
A biting cold snap’s moving near
Thirty percent chance they’re sincere
A little mercy, a lot of grace
Who is winning the human race?
It’s time to come in from the cold
Your kindness never will grow old

Counting Sheep

What is this bleating of sheep in my ears?
My eyes cannot see the things my mind hears
The planet is spinning inside my head
If tired kills, then I’m already dead
Oh I know its dark, but I’m looking for the spark
To ignite the hope
Sighted men refuse to see
I’m not lost in looking for perfection
Just waiting for my resurrection

What is this silence that everyone hears?
Why is nothing ever as it appears ~
When a pounding heart is engulfed in fears?
Who put the perfect Lamb to the shears?
So many miles to the “Land of Dreams”
Things will never be as once before
So once again I’m counting sheep
Being led to the slaughter
Thirsty souls need eternal Water

What must I do to purchase sleep?
This elusive commodity is hard to keep
What price must I pay if go without ~
Robbed of peace yet filled with doubt?
Oh I know I wonder, but I’m looking for the thunder
To ignite my soul
Sighted men refuse to see
The fabric of society is fleeced threadbare
Not a stitch in time can repair.

Urban Gypsy

I am an urban gypsy -
Far I wander through this town
And the price to pay called ‘loneliness’-
Can get a good man down

Still I’m searching for the answers -
To the questions that I hold
But seldom do I believe -
The half of what I’m told

For the word down on the street
Is that you’ve gone away
You know my heart would be complete
If only you would stay

How I hunger for your friendship -
How I long for your sweet smiles
But I never seem to get to you -
Though I go ten thousand miles

I’ve sought to hold you close to me -
I’ve looked both far and wide
I’ll be an urban gypsy -
'Til you are by my side

For the word down on the street
Is that you’ve gone away
You know my heart would be complete
If only you would stay

You know I’m not an actor -
But I’d love to play the part
Of the guy who stops the show -
And steals away your heart

And with your heart you listened -
To my restless, beating soul
Now you come into my life -
And make this half a whole

Now the word down on the street
Is that we’ve gone away
You know you made my heart complete
So in your arms I’ll stay

I was an urban gypsy -
No longer do I roam
For the one whose love completes me
Has made her heart my home.

The Chair

I sit inside my house ... I sit in my old chair
I stare out the window ... I don’t go anywhere
Martha boils the kettle ... Eventually she’ll scold
If you don’t get out of that chair ... Your coffee will be cold

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
I’m not ignoring you... For I’m already dead

You really ought to talk to me ... There’s something you could say
If you don’t get out of that chair ... For sure you’ll waste away
I should call the doctor ... You’re looking deathly pale
You haven’t eaten for so long ... You’re looking rather frail

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
I’m not ignoring you... For I’m already dead

What is it with that window? ... What do you see out there?
Why don’t you answer me? ... It’s not polite to stare
When was the last time you loved me? ...
Oh why won’t you come to bed?
You sit in that old chair ... I think you’ve lost your head

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
I’m not ignoring you... For I’m already dead

You forgot my birthday present ... It’s the same excuse each year
You sit in that damn old chair ... Pretending not to hear
Martha gets so ticked with me ... She goes and gets a knife
If you don’t get out of that chair ... I’ll end your bloody life!

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
You can’t really kill me... For I’m already dead.

In Your Holy Presence

That silent place where I am awed
Lead me with Your love, O God
Where saints have prayed and angels trod
In Your holy presence…

That secret place where I abide
Keep me sheltered deep inside
Beneath Your shadow safely hide
In Your holy presence…

That sacred place where Moses stood
Burn in me, all but the good
Remembering that cross of wood
In Your holy presence…

That stillest place where wise men speak
Quiet me, that I may seek
To be like Jesus, low and meek
In Your holy presence…

Love’s fire for eternity
Lead me, keep me, burn in me
Shining brightly that all may be
In Your holy presence…

Eighteen Inches Deeper

You can fill your head with knowledge
Memorize all sorts of facts
You can sing about the Saviour
Even hand out gospel tracts
You can talk about the Father
You can speak of His sweet love
But you really get to know Him
When it sinks down from above

Take it eighteen inches deeper
From your head down to your heart
Though the mountain may be steeper
Just be sure to do your part
Take it eighteen inches deeper
Living out what God's begun
Bringing glory to the Father
Singing praises to His Son

You can search the whole world over
But you're never going to find
The answers to life's questions
Til you leave your 'self' behind
Of all the things you learn in life
There are some you can't control
You can be wise as a serpent
Only God can save your soul

Take it eighteen inches deeper
From your head down to your heart
Though the mountain may be steeper
Just be sure to do your part
Take it eighteen inches deeper
Living out what God's begun
Bringing glory to the Father
Hallelujah to His Son

When It's Love

When life has sent you trials
And you're on you're knees to pray
When it's love you're living for
Just watch God find a way

When you're waiting for answers
And you're trusting He'll provide
When it's love you're living for
You will not be denied

When LOVE is all that matters
And it's love that you adore
You just rise up your spirit
And shine brightly for the Lord

He'll have you moving mountains
Yes, your faith will pull you through
When it's love you're living for
Just see what God will do

You're living life on purpose
When you're walking in His will
When it's love you're living for
You're light upon a hill

When LOVE is all that matters
And it's love that you adore
You just rise up your spirit
And shine brightly for the Lord

Closer To Home

The River of Life...
My soul can feel it
The tides as they turn
Bathe in Your Spirit
The joy of Your love
Nothing is dearer
The Hope of Glory...
Drawing me nearer...

The rhythm of Life...
My soul surmises
With each act of grace
My spirit rises
The depth of Your love
No man can measure
I'm closer to home...
Make me Your treasure...

O, Giver of Life...
My soul can hear it
I feel Your heartbeat
Breathe in my spirit
The oil of Your love
Keeps my heart burning
To live for You now...
Is my soul's yearning...

Who am I?

I often hide where darkness reigns ~
I take great strides but make no gains
I have no dreams, I just don't sleep ~
I never laugh, nor do I weep
I have no faith, I won't confide ~
I don't make plans, I can't decide
I cannot trust, I can't believe ~
I'm never open to receive
Though my strength is sometimes faded ~
I'm not one to be persuaded
I could be right, but never wrong ~
I'm often short, but not for long
I don't recall, I can't forget ~
Afraid?... I haven't worried yet!
Is this life about reflection? ~
Have I gone the wrong direction?
I'll never hope to change my ways ~
I'm never worthy of your praise
I have no voice, I get no say ~
I have no mind to get my way
I just can't think, I just don't learn ~
I'm often hardest to discern
I have no heart, don't care at all ~
Sometimes it seems I'm ten feet small
I often touch but can't embrace ~
I don't feel love, that's not my place
I have no joy, I'm often dull ~
Just a sort of empty full
I do not yearn, I just don't pine ~
I never have to toe the line
I do behave, if for a while ~
But you will never see me smile
I have no need of company ~
Pity the one who is like me...
If I were you and you were me ~
You'd be a shadow, I'd be free.

The Love of Christ

Longer than my deepest longing
Deeper than my greatest need
Greater than my aspirations
Is the love of Christ indeed

Higher than the skies above me
Stronger than my eyes can see
Wider than the world He gave us
Is the love that died for me

Purer than the purest fountain
Better than all life itself
More wondrous than many wonders
Is the love of Christ Himself

Embracing the Mystery

I'm embracing the mystery of who You are God
I'm humbled and honored, I'm dazzled and awed
You've loved me for always, before time began
I'll follow Your footlights*, I'll live out your plan

I'm embracing the mystery of who You are Christ
I'm amazed by Your beauty and sacrifice
You're knee deep in crimson with arms open wide
I'll allow Your Spirit to change me inside

I'm embracing the mystery of all I can be
I'm living in You as You're living in me
Your blood bought my pardon, it flows through my veins
I'll treasure this freedom, You've broken these chains

*Psalm 119:105

Dancing On Water

Just die to your self... rise out of your boat
Sing in the spirit... just hover and float
You'll be dancing on water, with the Son and the Breeze
You're tall as a mountain... when you're down on your knees

O holy God, am I dancing on water?
If it were me, I would scarcely believe
But since You are God, I'll trust as I ought to
And give all the love that one heart can receive

Rise up your spirit, and shine like the Son
When this life's over, you've only begun
To be dancing on water, with the Ancient of Days
You'll be casting your crowns... while you're singing His praise!

O holy God, am I dancing on water?
If it were me, I would scarcely believe
But since You are God, I'll trust as I ought to
And give all the love that one heart can receive

Beyond The Clouds

It will be a miracle
If I’m going to survive
Not too long in this world now
To be among those alive

Somewhere beyond the clouds
He’s waiting there for me
Somewhere within the Son
My spirit will be free

I’ve got cancer
Now I’m looking for release
Jesus is my one answer
I’ve found in Him such sweet peace

Somewhere beyond the clouds
He’s waiting there for me
Somewhere within the Son
My spirit will be free

I don’t have a lot of choice
One last time, please, hold my hand
At the sound of His dear voice
I’ll be in the Promised Land

Somewhere beyond the clouds
He’s waiting there for me
Somewhere within the Son
My spirit will be free

[In memory of my late mother, Eileen]

Love is a bridge

Love is a bridge
we made the crossing
flew across the ridge
watched time passing
our souls lift and rejoice
unison of hearts
connected as one voice
into the everlasting
heartbeat of the Son
pulsating through the sky
like the echo of a drum
a vigil held on high
incandescent light undulating
caught up with emotion
in the interstellar code
in awe and beauty
our hearts just overflowed
into Heaven’s perfect light
we could not escape the glow
and shone on through the night
cut the distance
then held tight
for the moment
soon is gone
and if tomorrow never came
and ended sweetly
i’d love you just the same
for you complete me.

Hello, I Love You, Goodbye

I look at your photographs, some aged and curled
And wonder what happened, to my little girl
It seems the years flew, like birds in the sky
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...

After all the Hello’s
And before all Goodbye’s
I tell you "I Love You"
And hope you realize...

I feel the tears falling, tons of regret
The day that I failed you, I’ll never forget
As God forgives me, I watch angels fly
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...

I remember holding you, safe in my arms
From the day you were born, your innocent charms
How could we have let, those times pass us by?
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...

You’ll be out on your own soon, no telling when
Remember to call me, each now and then
Like on that first day, when I heard you cry
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...

You’re perfectly wonderful, you’re just as sweet
When I’m looking at you, I feel so complete
I look to heaven, and still wonder why
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye ...

[Dedicated, with much love, to my daughter, Laura Megan]

Another Small Degree

I called you from a phone booth
Outside a general store
I’ll be home tomorrow
And I couldn’t love you more
Ah, but when I get there
Baby, you will see
The depth of love I offer is
Another small degree

Hot as a thermometer
You inflame my point of view
Wherever I go, darling
My needle points to you

I overheard you list’ning
To imaginary breeze
All the world was whispering
Through some hollowed redwood trees
And when their blended voices
Rippled ‘cross the cloudy sea
They told you I loved you by
Another small degree

Hot as a thermometer
You inflame my point of view
Wherever I go, darling
My needle points to you

I watched as you were looking
At the shoreline through my eyes
I always look the brightest
When the sun is on the rise
That I’m not the wisest man
Never mattered much to me
As long as I can love you
Another small degree

As long as I can hold you
For all eternity
As long as I can love you
Another small degree.

Similar Contradictions

He’s a wise old sort of fool, and he makes a quiet noise
And yet the stillness moves, upon his wordless voice
As placid whispers drift, like silk upon the breeze
He listens to the silence, of the daffodils and trees.

He feels calm agitation, a stirring deep about
The brilliance of his dullness, reflects him in and out
Though it sounds preposterous, ridiculous, absurd
Whispers of the silent One, speak volumes in a word.

He holds an empty vision, a glass eye on his youth
All questions to his answers, lie ageless in the truth
He can’t speak words that tell, yet some hearts he has awed
With just one look at him, you’ll hear the voice of God.

He preaches ceaseless endings, their birth coming fast
All months in the future, will be the days soon past
He foretells the Ancient Days, predicted long ago
Dry tears hardly fall this soft, still birth the fallen snow.

A rainbow came into view, one august night in June
While he was blindly glaring, at darkness of the moon
He may be dumb and sightless, but not as some might claim
Though everyone is not alike, he sees them all the same.

Unpredictable

One minute he feels blue
The next, five shades of gray
He’s unpredictable
Like stocks in Old Taipei.

He’s just like the weather
No telling when he’ll rain
He’ll hold it together
Until he bursts again.

Sure, he’s never certain
Whether to go or to stay
So unpredictable
Sorry for the delay.

He’s had enough sorrow
It’s time he’s moving on
He’ll be home tomorrow
The next day he’ll be gone.

He’s unpredictable
No telling what he’ll do
One minute he’s all gray
And then five shades of blue.

drawn inward

It was a very solemn quietude,
the deepest of sleeps,
and one which afforded my inmost being
a degree of comfort I had never before experienced.

And in that most lucid dream state,
my mind was set adrift in an upward spiral of reflection.
A sort of transcending, winding staircase in the clouds.

Evidently, the core of my being was so far removed
from who I used to be - I didn’t recognize myself.

It was like being drawn inward,
but through a different person.

I thought to myself ... Drawn inward... a palindrome.
And as things are being drawn inward,
are they not also being drawn out?

But what kind of mirror is it that allows a man
to see through his own transparency?

Being somewhat indelibly touched
without fingerprints,
I became oblivious to those beliefs
I once cherished as sacrosanct.

I let it all go and with that letting go
went a lot of ought-to’s,
a pile of should-have’s,
a heap of what-if’s and
if-only’s and many self doubts.
I quickly learned - IF is the middle word in life!

The depth of tranquility that engulfed me
transported me far above and beyond
any imagined grievance,
and dissolved all negativity into insignificance.

And in that moment,
a deep-seated realization was taking shape;
awakening - but not yet crystal clear.

The eye of this mind storm was calm,
but every thought still turned over
like polished stones in a tumbler.

The fog was lifting as the eye
of circumspection was finding its clarity.

Deep down,
do we not all want creature comforts,
strive for improvement,
seek the truth, want peace and happiness?

Another question arises
from under the cerebral surface - and that is -
how far must one travel
outside and away from oneself
to find that which is already drawn inward?

The River

I gazed upon the river and there reflected,
like a reverse telescope, were all the events of my life --
as a matter of course, on the surface.

Beneath the surface is the depth of my being,
a reflection as it were, of a multi-faceted gem.
But it was not what was beneath, but beyond --
that made the river to flow.

In my mind’s eye,
I could see over to where the river met its end.
Not as a dried up creek or sun-baked riverbed,
but flowing fully into a yet greater ocean of life.
And it is the inner urge to be so much more
the part of life that causes one to move on.

Awake to the possibilities,
alive to the challenge --
the stirring of the river is an eternal genesis.

I now see so far beyond myself,
to the source of all beings.
I swim in the cosmic intercourse;
the place to where all rivers flow
into one in this sea of tranquility.

I bask in this ocean of love,
transfixed and mesmerized.

In these waters one will not find possession,
control, manipulation, fear or judgment.

What one does find is the warmth
of compassion, acceptance, love
and forgiveness --
for that itself is the serenity,
not only here,
but beneath the surface of all rivers.

The Masterpiece

The finest quality to be found in any work
is often called a Masterpiece. If we look for the good --
the finest qualities in people, we would observe
that we are all strands of a tightly woven fabric --
all meshed together to create a common unity, or community.

Those that are most important to you, whose strands
in the cloth of life intersect with yours -- make up part
of the overall picture where you fit in. Other strands
are loosely knit around you and also make their appearance
in the mosaic. Yet others are 'rough around the edges' or
living on the ragged edge. They feel outcast --
in a way -- stranded.

Also, when a strand important to us is removed from our
presence, we feel the void -- a hole in the canvas.

One must look a long time at a great masterpiece to fully
appreciate the beauty therein and find the meaning.

Now if you stand back, you will observe a grand design --
all the faces of humanity and their common threads.
Each has their rightful place.

Upon closer inspection --
you will see that every piece is a piece of the Master,
and only part of the whole.

Oh, I Wonder

Oh, I wonder about your heartbeat
Racing wild on the shores of extremes
It thunders through me
Like a sweet rhapsody
And takes flight on the wings of my dreams
And takes flight on the wings of my dreams.

Oh, I wonder if angels notice
As I watch from their climes up above
The heaven I see
Is complete majesty
When I look in the eyes of your love
When I look in the eyes of your love.

Oh, I wonder if time’s illusion
And I’ve loved you forever before
It seems so surreal
When inside all I feel
That I’ll love you forever once more
That I’ll love you forever once more.

Oh, I wonder about tomorrow
And the promise the future will bring
One day at a time
With each day more sublime
Oh, this life is a wonderful thing
Oh, this life is a wonderful thing.

Question Marks In Time

Daddy, oh Daddy --- why’s the sky so blue?
How many stars in the dark of night?
How will I ever know what is true?
When blinded by your shining light

How many grains in an hourglass?
How many fish in the deep sea?
Where does time go as seasons pass?
Do dreams become reality?

Can you ever be sure? How do you know?
Is it true what those people are saying?
Where on earth did the love of God go?
Are they down on their knees when they’re praying?

Where did they hide the fountain of youth?
Will it take forever to find it?
How many miles to get to the truth?
Have sinister eyes left you blinded?

Where did we go wrong?
Oh, where do we go from here?
Why does it seem the day is “so long” ?
When the ending is so very near?

Will you forever remember me ---
When my time here is over and done?
How many days in eternity?
Is the answer divided by one?

Mystery

Deep within a forest glade
Where only silence grows
I knelt and prayed
and only heaven knows

How Jesus walked on water
and how you walk on air
when I sink beneath my eyelids
how you are always there...

Deep within a poets' soul
Are dreams forever breeding
Given birth upon the knoll
Lay bare the heart yet bleeding

The whispered hope in verse and rhyme
Every day more gleaning
The cherished memory of all time
You gave this lifetime meaning...

Deep within a lovers' heart
Are flames of passion burning
When you think you can't go on
The page of life keeps turning

Loves' unspoken devotion
How a heart can always hear it
Like perpetual motion
Is the mystery of your spirit

My Old Flame

My old flame’s got me burnin’
She set my embers to glow
There’s no holdin’ back the yearnin’
I feel the flame of love begin to grow

And it’s burn, burn, burn, baby burn
They say some fools will never learn
When the spark of love ignites
It will take you to new heights
Into your glory, I return

My old flame has me hopin’
Days gone by we can restore
The door to our past stands open
I’ll take the step into her life once more

And it’s burn, burn, burn, baby burn
They say some fools will never learn
And as wisdom will decree
Love is for eternity
This page of life will never turn

My old flame she does inspire
So into the past I quickly go
Stirring my passion with desire
Just open up and let those feelings show

And it’s burn, burn, burn, baby burn
They say some fools will never learn
When the spark of love ignites
It will take you to new heights
Into your glory, I return

Autumn

It was a late September morning
When the leaves fell all around
The hoarfrost came without warning
As I stumbled to the ground

Wind chilled nostrils exhale
Icicling the lashes and freezing face
It was as if I had waxed pale
Vapour trails drift to hang in space

I felt a sudden need for sleep
Pregnant dreams are half-realized
Like harvest-time inside me deep
Not fully crystallized

I pulled my pillow to my face
And blanket to my chin
With Indian-summer's first embrace
I felt like sleeping in.