Walter and the Crossing (the Lost Train)

Walter has been gone from his old hometown
for longer than he can remember
which isn't saying a lot, I guess;
he can't recall the first of November

and it's been longer than that
you and I know
and the way it's going he may be gone
until after the winter snow

The Trancharian lord came to some tracks
traveling as far east as he could see
turning, he found the tracks traveled west
as far as he knew, to eternity

he was at a crossing on a not busy road
when lights started flashing and arms came down
not a car was in sight, not a bird made a noise
and of trains there were none to be found

in either direction nothing locomotive appeared
east was horizon and west was the sky
Walter thought, "oh dear the poor train is lost"
then for a moment, a fleeting moment, realized, "so am I."

He tried to piece together the cars that connected
his engine to his caboose
but when he got to the car full of coal
the connection just seemed to come loose

and just when a tear came into his thought
a man on a handcar pushed by
not a group of cars or four big engines
just a simple handcar, slow, but wanting to fly

The man looked at Walter and Walter stared back
a glint of recognition in his eye
"that man looks like me," Walter thought (to himself)
and he waved as the man pumped by

Walter blanked out but just for a bit
and got a wry look on his mouth
then he picked up his feet and headed forth
on that road that led north or south

My Attention

People
what's with people?
they're either trying to live their own lives
or they're trying to get me to notice them

here's a few people I'd like to see:

at the grocery store, the mom with five kids
pulls out a cane and a top hat
and starts dancing and singing
"I got rhythm, I got music
I got five kids, who could ask for anything more!"

that would get my attention

on the corner, the guy with the sign
it says "don't need anything just wanted to say hi
and how much I liked listening to 
'I know this much is true'
by Spandau Ballet
when it was on the radio"

right on, dude! Everyday he'd put up a different song.

the gas station attendant
who blows the beginning of
'Boogie boogie bugle boy"
on a bugle
every time he comes out from inside
the store

until I roll my eyes because I've seen it so many times

a checker at Roth's who juggles my stuff
as he bags it.
whistles 'Sweet Georgia Brown'
and winks at me like it's all a big joke

not to me it isn't, buddy!

a runner who wears a flamboyant yellow outfit
with wings and fins
and jumps up and all around
running down the sidewalk for five miles
doing tricks and twirls every 20 feet or so

now that's exercise! 

If you want to get my attention
don't be subtle
give it to me!
and I'll give it to you.

Midnight

midnight
I'm awake again and I'm thinking about my life
I've been 
traveling on the edge of a knife
one side is endless searching 
one side's gray, the same old shade
time for me to cut my losses
and get off of this blade

always
searching for something I thought I had to prove 
my heart
stuck in the mud while my feet were on the move
leading me to dead end streets
leading me to wonder how
can I see the future without taking care of now?

and I want to know how...

He was brave, he was brave until the end
and he saved me, he saved me from within
he forgave me, he forgave me of my sin
won't you tell me His story again?

every
thing I've done comes tumbling back to me
many times 
I forgot to ask for grace and dignity
now I stand before His glory and I ask forgiveness please
let me start again in you
I have fallen on my knees 

and I want to know how..

you were brave, you were brave until the end
and you saved me, yes you saved me from within
you forgave me, you forgave me of my sin
won't you tell me your story again?

Midnight
I'm awake again and I'm thinking about my life...

It's Cool (wait- did I forget something?)

Why must I wait until it's time to go to bed
to undo all the things I've done or say what I left unsaid?
Why must I wait until there's nothing else to do
except brush my teeth, take my pills, and put away my shoe?

Why must I wait until everyone's gone home
to then remember that I don't like being alone?
Why must I wait until after the party's done
to realize that I like to sit and visit with everyone?

Why must the evening always end too soon?
I can't remember everything before I start to swoon
and so it always ends up that I stay up too late
to do everything that I didn't do when I was awake

The lunch for tomorrow, the ironing of my clothes
sitting watching tv instead's what I chose
Is there gas in the car? Is there air in the tires?
Have I arranged all the supplies I need from all of my suppliers?

I guess I'll just make some mocha, get in bed, open a book
I can't believe you'd get anywhere by taking a second look
It's true that I never did homework in school
For in my little world procrastination is cool!

A Halloween Party

Frankenstein, my friend, was in his prime
he was feeling content and so very sublime
It was dark, and all of his guests were so small
at last, finally, he felt, maybe he'd found his call

He sidled up next to a gloomy-gus Dracula
gave him a nudge and a gentle pat on the scapula
"You know, Vlad, I really like it 'round here
so smile a little, it's fun, be of good cheer!"

The count said he needed something to eat
but on bloodless Skittles and Nerds he was not so sweet
So Frank wandered around, said hi to the witch
chatted with Mr Wolf hanging out in the kitch

little goblins and princesses down below his knees
were besprinkled and busily buzzing like bees
passing candy to each other and looking in bags
giggling and laughing with zigging and zags

Mr Stein, as they called him, tightened bolts on his neck
and smiled down toward them and did a head check
Yes it looked like they were all accounted for
then he heard another delightful ring at the door

"I'll get it!" he cried and he strode cross the room
careful not to step on the little witch's brooms
he opened the door to a hale "trick or treat!"
and ten more tiny goblins appeared at his feet

"Come on in!" he said, "I need your help, pretty please--
there's a man over there I'd like to you to give him a squeeze!"
They shouted hooray and for Dracula they headed
Drac looked shocked, but happy, that his friend had said it

The party continued until quarter to eight
when the host monsters decided it was getting so late
they gave away the last Hershey and shooed guests outside
and they all went back to their castles and died.

The End

Moral to the story: you got to live a little before you die? Make the most of your life?  Go out and do all you can? Be nice to kids? Get home before the sun comes up?

STOP!

What will be the answer
if we don't stop the world
from picking up a hammer
or using a fist that is curled

when a domestic tranquility
rests on uncertain terms
of an uncontrollable rage
that starts from a germ

a disease that will thrive
in a house overruled
by violence and pain 
dolled out by a fool

Before you say to yourself
'there's nothing I can do'
it's time to take a stand
so be a man and be true

call somebody out
on their hurt and their hate
before they go too far;
to wait is too late

Love is a Stranger (in a car alone)

Last night I took another drive in my car
trying to get into the right frame of mind to talk to you
why can't I talk to you?

Yes, the stars were out; yes, there was a crescent moon
Yes, it was an easy drive to the top of the hill
it's always quiet at the top of the hill

It's nights like these that take me back in time
looking down on the lights that made me passionately blind
grabbing all the luck and the love I could find

let's take the back road down....

Love is a stranger in a car alone
feels so empty but I'm just five miles from home
and I want to talk to you

Somehow when these summer nights call
I see things that aren't real, or I see nothing at all

The stars they twinkle so relentlessly
I count on the morning sun to be equal,
reassuring me

but the moon is yet to go down and the warm wind swells
and the night just waits
because it knows me so well