In The Clouds
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DECISIONS, DECISIONS DECISIONS!
Vision of Destiny / Visión de Destino
M'LADY'S FIRE
A fire burns deep within her,
Of bright and passioned flame,
You'd think that it could injure,
Whoe'er her ire might claim.
But rather does her blaze,
Act servant to her heart,
And in return her heart plays,
Its gentle, guiding part.
And received of her direction,
With love and care her guide,
With passioned introspection,
She takes all woes in stride.
And gathers all about her,
Who need the warmth she sows,
Who couldn't live without her,
And the love that she bestows.
PASSED ON IN PASSING
A foundation is what they leave,
Upon which a new tomorrow springs,
And their passing that we grieve,
In it's wake a new day brings.
On triumphs passed, now put asunder,
We build on their mistakes and flaws,
The lessons learned, each resolved blunder,
Lends structure to our cause.
Just as good parents strive to provide,
Their offspring a life more promise filled,
So has each generation until it died,
The soil bequeathed it, for us tilled.
To make the world a better place,
To give the future brighter chance,
So that their progeny come to face,
A dream their forebearers only glance.
I SEARCH WITHIN
12/16/01
Searching back in my mind,
Searching for its origins,
Wondering what I'll find,
Where all that I am begins.
Am I my memories reborn,
New thoughts by past ones shaped?
Have I not the Will to form,
Ideas unchained, escaped?
Am I the roots that fed me?
So bent the twig I grow?
Brought but to where life led me,
By going with the flow?
Or is there more to me I'll find,
A self, a path innate?
A built-in soul and mind,
Free from whims of Fate.
Will my search provide me,
A conscious will and way?
Let loose the past that hides me,
And let me be myself today?
DECISIONS, DECISIONS DECISIONS!
People, hear my voice!
I hate to make decisions,
Hate to make a choice,
Then face Fate's sick derisions.
Often, much too often,
I see a chance for joy,
Fate my heart then softens,
Then breaks like a fragile toy.
Not everything causes pain,
But most isn't worth the effort,
To act I have to strain,
To move causes much discomfort.
But, life still moves on,
And I must move on, too.
I let life move me on,
And do what I can't do.
It's not that I hate living,
It just doesn't satisfy.
And all, by what it's giving,
It can do is pacify.
And when I Must decide,
Which course of action I should take,
The decision, I must confide,
Is almost always quite hard to make.
Something happens each time,
I try to carry through my visions.
My life is not too kind,
With its decisions, decisions decisions!
OH, YES I CAN!!
11-10-01
They said I could not write this verse,
The theme was too beyond me.
I'll not fall prey to their foul curse,
They'll rue the day they conned me.
I'll show them what I'm made of,
With rhyme and poignant humor.
They'll know I'm not afraid of,
Their poorly, plotted rumor.
To write, or rather to compose,
I so begin this rare impossibility.
And wonder if one might suppose,
They'll accept defeat with true civility.
It matters not, as I reach conclusion,
Of this fine and noble work of art,
That they might live on in their delusion,
That I'll not finish what I start.
FIN
MORE THAN WORDS
To what do we owe the song,
That's journeyed with us so long?
Are there clues to this mystery
To be found within our history?
Which came first: the phrase or verse?
Our Ancients listening to birds rehearse,
Mimicking the melodies that they heard,
Invented Song, before the word?
Were concerts born of council tribal,
Which never since have had a rival?
Still today 'tis seen in native tribes,
Communities joined in sacred vibes.
And don't forget the minstrels of old,
That in their songs our history told.
Nor all the ballads of lore and glory,
That still today retell our story.
And all that sing agree,
That song has set them free,
To express what's in their heart,
More than words alone impart.
SHE and I and FATE
11/18/01
'Bout danged time you got it right,
You Fickled Finger of Uncaring Fate,
'Bout time you turned my sorrowed plight,
'Bout face, and filled my empty plate.
Guess, I could be noble now,
And let you off the hook,
Seeings how my troubled brow,
Now sports a happy look.
Got no time to hold a grudge,
Got better things to do,
Let's forget you wouldn't budge,
And bid the past a fine adieu.
Guess I ought to be mighty grateful,
That you brought her here to me,
And my decision turned out so fateful,
That I asked her my Bride to be.
Heck, let's just celebrate,
The happiness she brings,
Just she, and I and Fate,
And the song tommorrow sings!
DARK FUTILE TREK
A mist was in the air,
Together we set off,
This brave but foolish pair.
For days we had prepared,
It was a dark cold night,
Ere starting on our quest.
Not sure our plans would work,
Still we knew we'd do our best.
Though the route had oft been charted,
Each year 'twas marked by change.
And all our well logged landmarks,
Would some imp or devil rearrange.
We made our way with caution,
And journeyed as though half blind,
For the dark and cold and mist,
Made the way quite hard to find.
Along the way we found but few,
Of the old familiar haunts,
That in the past had offered,
Warm satifaction of our wants.
The bounty which we dreamed of,
The treasures that we sought,
Seemed now of less import,
Than the travail that we now fought.
Our glorious dreams and visions,
Now paled by sinister plight,
Made us want but to end this trial,
Escape this cold cruel night.
Then passed what seemed eternity,
And familiar environs we sighted,
And found we now ourselves,
Home at last, well frighted.
We vowed that night,
We mad a sacred pact,
Ne'er again to commit,
Such a vain and fruitless act.
LAST NIGHT
I looked for you last night,
But you were nowhere in sight.
Thought to find you travelling,
In the same circles and revelling.
Hoped that shed some light,
On my problem you just might.
Guess the weather kept you in,
Away from where you'ld've normaly been.
But tomorrow you'll rise and shine,
And your routine'll be back in line.
And coming from the usual place,
My eyes'll meet your glowing face.
And your reflections I'll welcome,
On my problems and their outcome,
And I'll relish in our time we spend,
Till it dawns on me it's time to end.
NAME OF LOVE
What can you do in the name of love?
Can you lay claim to the stars above,
And bring them down on a silver tray,
To, at the feet of your lover, lay?
Can you proclaim all sorrows end,
A thousand heartaches you will mend,
And bring a love so fine and pure,
That all life's trials,
It can endure?
Try as you could,
It might do no good.
CAN IT BE?
Can it be that a man can miss,
A love he never knew?
Longing for a tender kiss,
From lips his lips never knew?
Can it be that he can lose it,
That faint promise of tommorrow?
Wishing, only, that he could chose it,
To replace his lonely sorrow?
Can it be that he'll regret,
And continue to yearn,
For the dream he can't forget,
And pray for its return?
Can it be? I know it can!
Longing for that certain glance,
That means to this regretful man,
You'll give him another chance.
YOU CAN'T LOSE
You can't lose,
And I can't win.
Guess that's the way,
It's always been.
You got your way,
And all along,
It mattered not if,
You were right or wrong.
I played along,
No argument.
Even when I didn't know,
Just what it meant.
And now, you're gone.
Part of your plan?
You think you'll find yourself,
A better man?
I tried my best,
But, it's over now.
Maybe I failed you,
But, I don't know how.
So, you go your way,
And I'll go mine.
I got the feeling you'll do,
Mighty fine.
Cause you didn't lose,
And I didn't win.
You played your hand,
And brought it to an end.
There's no way left,
That I can go,
But out the door,
And I want you to know.
I've got the feeling,
That you planned it so.
.................................
FREE TO FALL
I was falling, long ago,
When I was free to fall.
Way back when my heart,
Was mine alone to call.
Yes, I was falling then,
And by my heart's own choice.
Not hindered by urgings of,
Any other heart's voice.
And I'd have kept on falling,
'Till I was there, at last.
But, stupid me, I stopped when,
That heart yelled from the past.
I should have kept on falling,
Let my heart be its own boss.
But I let my heart be swayed,
Now I suffer for that loss.
Yes, I was falling,
Long ago,
In love with You.
You know?
MYSTERY
Mystery,
What does your mist conceal?
And, if the haze were raised,
What secrets would your heart reveal?
Mystery,
Is the mystery really you?
Mystery,
Do you cast your illusions,
So that others may unmask themselves,
By their own conclusions?
"Mystery", they say,
"I know what sparks your fires."
And speaking their revelations,
Confess their true desires.
Mystery,
You know them well;
That what they see in you,
May their own stories tell.
Mystery,
You do what you must,
To peer through their dark mysteries,
And find who you may trust.
WEDDING DAY
I should've slept late today.
Should have forgot the plans I'd made.
Would've been better that way:
Wouldn't have made the mistake I made.
Thought I was doing the right thing,
The best for all involved.
Didn't know that two problems I'd bring,
For the one I thought I'd solved.
It would've made a difference,
If only I had known.
Would have changed today's events,
If only, her feelings she had shown.
Even told my mother,
That I was sweet on that girl.
Didn't want no other,
To take my heart around the world.
But, it just didn't seem,
That she might feel the same.
So, I swallowed my dream,
And went to play another's game.
So, I made a mistake today.
And to the wrong girl pledged my life.
Threw all of my dreams away,
And took the wrong girl for my wife.
And now, I tell my True Love,
About what I've just done.
And, now, find the truth of,
All I've lost, not won.
And now, she won't talk to me.
She won't even look my way.
Oh God, what have I done?
Silently, to myself I say.
She won't scream or yell,
Or give me Hell,
Tell me I'm stupid, call me a fool,
Tell me I ought to go back to school.
There's only dead silence.
Oh, what did I think I'd prove?
She won't utter not even a sentence.
Why did I make that stupid move?
Now, it feels so tragic.
I didn't know that she cared.
Didn't know that the magic,
Was, between the two of us, shared.
And now, she won't talk to me.
She won't even look my way.
Dear God, what have I done?
What can I do or say?
SUNSET OR DAWN
"You are the Sunset."
No, I am the Dawn!
"When the day is done,
"I will meet you and dream my dreams."
"But, till that time is come,
"I'll rejoice in bright sunbeams."
No! You live now in the night.
You mistake your dreams for day.
But I, the morning light,
Will bring happiness your way.
"You are the gentle rest,
"That ends the fun-filled daylight."
"Someday, I'll be your guest."
"But, till I tire, I won't not the night."
Come, you must awake!
Please come and join me here.
See, the day does break.
I want, I need you near.
"You offer but a sleep,
"A place where I'll retire."
"I'll not now join you deep,
"Till I've seen all I desire."
I offer more than this.
My gifts are more than just dreams.
I bring a life of bliss,
And success to all your schemes.
"You have to wait your turn."
"There's so much for me to do."
"And while the sun does burn,
"I cannot be with you."
You must, you must believe!
I am, I am the Dawn!
And if now you take your leave,
When you return, I may be gone.
"You are the Sunset."
NO!
I AM THE DAWN!
VISION of DESTINY / Visión de Destino
I once had a vision
Una vez yo tenía una visión
Of Destiny clear,
Del Destino claro,
The one I had searched for
La para quien yo buscaba
Was finally here.
Por fin me hubo venido.
Seems signs from above
Me parecía que señales desde el Cielo
Formed an arrow to guide
Hicieran una flecha para guiarme
Me out of the prison
Afuera de la prisión
In which I did hide.
En la cual yo escondía.
And so I pursued you
Y por eso yo te perseguía
But to no avail,
Pero todo en vano,
The more I did woo you
Lo más que te cortejaba
The more I did fail.
Lo más yo fallaba.
Both poet and lover,
Ambos poeta y amante,
The ones you inspired,
Ellos a quienes tu inspiraste
My Muse and my Eros
Mi Musa y mi Eros
No longer retired.
Ya no más jubilados.
To the door of your heart
A la puerta de tu corazón
I had not the key;
No tenía yo la llave;
I'm not what you needed
No soy que nesecitabas
To help set you free.
Para liberarte a tí.
I once had a vision
Una vez yo tenía una visión
Of destiny shared,
De un destino compartido,
That I and my true love
Qué yo y mi amor verdadero
Were soon to be paired....
Pronto nos emparejaríamos........
NO WAY TO CONTAIN
for Kerry
There are no words that begin,
To convey all within,
And give voice to this love oh so true.
And all the dreams that I weave,
Can't begin to conceive,
Of the depth of what I feel for you.
There's no book full of verse,
Whose sweet lines I'd rehearse,
That describes what I feel in your arms.
And no song can explore,
All of you I adore,
To do justice to all of your charms.
There's no way to contain,
And then to explain,
The feelings moving deep in my soul.
Nor could every part,
Of you, that dwells in my heart,
Ever hope to equal up to the whole.
And if I could imagine,
The strength of my passion,
As it moves my life in subtle ways,
I'd need not your presence,
For I'd live by your essence,
In dreams I'd dream for all of my days.
THE WIND
(1970)
I, a lonesome pilgrim,
On the desert sands, so dry,
Loathe the burning Sun,
And hope, sometimes, I'd die.
But, die I won't, I know for sure,
For my will is much too strong.
Yet , even though I will survive,
My battle still is wrong.
My strivations are self defeating,
And the desert will take its due,
For the Sun will roast my body,
And the thirst my life undo.
Yet, is that a breeze I feel?
A soft, cool current of air?
It is, it is! my senses reveal,
Come to relieve my despair!
A gentle, refreshing wind,
Has come to give me relief.
But, only to deaden the pain,
And not to remove the grief.
Its purpose on this journey, I see,
Is to help me my burden to bear,
To tell me there still exists hope,
And to show me approximately where.
Providence, I ask no more,
I ask not life from the Wind,
Only a guide through the desert,
And a travelling companion, A FRIEND!
ONCE UPON A NOW
for Kerry
July 13, 1999
Snow White awaiting a kiss,
In a slumber that she'll never miss;
Cinderella waiting to dance,
If her Prince will give her a chance;
Pocahontas alone by the shore,
Waits to see her Captain once more;
Guinevere in old Camelot,
Burns a candle for her Lancelot.
Enchanted Princess do not despair,
The Winds of Love are in the air.
On an eagle he'll soon take flight,
And by your side he will alight.
Then with a kiss, a tender embrace,
All sorrow will your Prince erase.
He'll bear a gift of Gilded Fire,
To help convey his love and desire.
With this offering by Angels borne,
His Lady Fair he will adorn.
Fairy Tales are meant for Two;
So happy I'm sharing This one with YOU!
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