Fool's Gold

I’m plasticized wood

A grinning wolf in a hood

Waiting at Lil Red’s door

I’m a snake oil salesman
A good luck talisman

I’ll give you some, you’ll still want more

I’m fool's gold and ivory soap

A maker of horoscopes

Taking what I can get

I’m a preacher and savior

I won’t judge your behavior

As long as my needs are always met

I work at the carnival

No sweat. I’ve seen it all

Seeing the people take their ride

I stand in the shadows

With the broken down scarecrows

I’ve watched you walk, I’ll make you stride

I’m a ghost from your nightmare

A smile from your worst scare

A shining light that lies in the dark

I’m plasticized wood

A grinning wolf in a hood

I’ll give you some, you’ll still want more

I Wonder

I often wonder

You, the man who stings

If you were to have a daughter

Would that somehow change some things?

Would that awaken in you

Memories when you did great harm

Would you feel a painful shudder

As she nestles in your arm?

Would you recognize your actions

Understand your guilt

Would you promise to try harder

Tearing down what you have built?

Would you own up to your transgressions

Try and be a better man

Would you take the steps you need

To fix what you still can?

And so I’m left to wonder

You, the man who stung

Now that you have a daughter

Have the changes at last begun?

Step Out

Step out in to the world and breathe its clean air

Take pains not to worry, take trouble not to care

Hold tight to your conscience and hold fast to your dreams

Be careful to remember, nothing’s as it seems

You’ve kept yourself in, locked and hidden away

Determined to remain and shielded from the day

You’ve remembered your grievances, yet forgotten your sins

Keeping score in your mind of all your losses and wins

Like trying to swim

Like saying goodbye

It’s time to stand up

And learn how to fly

How long do you plan, to continue on this way?

Days, months and years?  Who really can say?

So you haven’t been hurt, and that’s your desire

Living your life, like a bird on a wire

Rise up to the challenge, take life by the reins

Grab hold of the moment, let go of the pain

Learn from your past and guard yourself well

Everyone out there has a story to tell

Like trying to swim

Like saying goodbye

It’s time to stand up

And learn how to fly

Lost

Without a rudder.  Without an oar

Without the moon to lead me to shore

Drifting in circles.  Drifting in waves

Peddling fiercely to get out of the maze

Stuck in the darkness.  Stuck in the night

Stuck without sunshine even in light

Standing on quicksand.  Sinking in fast

Inventing a hope that surely can’t last

Waving for rescue.  Waving for release

Waving for something to provide me some peace

Taking on water.  Breathing in sand

Grasping for help from an invisible hand

Realizing too clearly. Realizing too well

Realizing one doesn't hear what one doesn't yell

Standing alone.  Standing compliant

Left in my own solitary confinement