I started writing poems and lyrics in the hopes of turning them into songs as early as age 13. I definitely developed over my many years of writing but some of those early pieces are also my favorites. Sometimes I would have lyrics looking for a medley, or I grab on to a melody and with a recording going, I come up with an outline theme or idea for lyrics. I also have some poems I never put to music. In this Lyrics and Poetry section I’ve gathered some pieces I have in different writing books or recordings, dusting them off and putting them in one place.
It’s Interesting how some pieces were finished as soon as the first draft was laid, others took years to finish. Shedding some light into the inspiration behind the work created, like my first one here - poems are interpretation of emotions , words are dropped and stay forever on the page. Many think that poets have their heads in the clouds. I say a poet’s feet are firmly on the ground, uncovering awareness, revealing deep emotions in a sometimes ordinary moment. Or a dramatic moment like the piece “Don’t Care”. It was written in minutes after participating in the Massachusetts Gay Marriage protest in early 2004, in front of the state house, with haters screaming at me, “go to hell” or carrying hate signs like “kill a fag for God”. Those lyrics came quickly after that emotional and enlightening day for me. Enlightening because realizing that those people will never have any respect in my life, in all the work I’ve accomplished. My words, my poet self, is what I am most proud of.
DON’T CARE
You don’t care, what you see. A need diminished, a new reality.
You don’t care, what you hear, it’s coming through in waves but’s it not exactly clear.
Or it’s what I fear.
You don’t know what to believe, turn the cheek, sexy, fine, you’ve been watching me.
You don’t know what you needed me for. When I turned around and saw the signs, oh. I was flawed.
Closed the door.
What you said.
What I saw.
How I love remains unknown to your soul. Take your shallow breath! Speak your shallow mind. God you’re speaking of is your God not mine.
Last night I cried for a love that’s leaving me. Illusions bust.
Now I can clearly see. You’ll never know!
You’ll never see!
You’ll never, ever, ever, care for me.
BORDERLINE MADNESS
Have a sadness that light!
Tears that are real!
Love so deep it gives me hope and still…. Everything thing that has come.
Everything that I’ve lost. In an endless search. Emotions my boss…
So all my wrenched out sobs.
Folded in with the morning dew..
Brings a calmness inside.
At peace with the light, in a winters grey hue…
Cause pains like a shell,
And with it once cracked!
Lies my stories unraveled.
An understanding once lacked….
So cry me a River, in a Borderline Madness… seep, deep in my mourning, of glorious sadness!
RULES OF THE FATHERS
In his dreams thundered by his rage!
Wakes up! Turns the page!
Learned to read rehearse his lines.
Green sullen eyes!
Cut himself on a true desire.
Never, no never ever lied.
Learned to clean shine his weapon.
Good son! Fine selection.
Twisted reaching, for another wrung or a holy sign, trying to hold onto. Rules of the Fathers.
Worked and worked bought the book, on time.
She fell in love couldn’t put it down.
Rebel thought to overthrow, he fell way below.
Still remembers the moment he was hypnotized, songs of glory, taste of blood red wine!
Still reaching for another wrung or a holy sign trying to hold onto to Rules of the Fathers.
Worked and worked bought the book on time, she fell in love couldn’t put it down!
COIN TOSS
Use to think that cruelty/lies or kindness/decency was on the ‘24 ballet, in this evolving, complicated country, diverse, divided!
Now convinced that it’s toxic masculinity, misogyny, racism, all looking for “daddy love” in a tantrum based rampage!
Or a sane, efficient, affective, brilliant, capable, humane vision, executed calmly, turning the pages.
Use to give the benefit of doubt to some knowledge of tenderness within the soul of “every” man!
Now realize many men have not found any tenderness, in their souls, or anywhere, or even can!
Use to think our free press in the U.S. would always present the truth. Unshakable!
Now in their own words see FOX lied about the last election, continue lying. They could make public hangings palatable!
Use to think Germany was bad in the 1930’s/40’s!
Now realize that the Nazis were bad, horrible, animalistic! But not all Germans were Nazis. In fact the majority were against!
Hitler won by 1/3 of populist vote, and he looked to us in 1939- to learn from our laws, from our own Jim Crow!
Use to think the U.S. would always be a democratic nation.
Now believe we are in great danger of becoming an autocracy , for democracy is a verb! This election is an MRI, in real time, of our political curve!
Use to revel in the progress made by homosexuals, from Oscar Wilde, imprisoned for being one! To 60's Stonewall, to acceptance and 70's when coming out began!
Moved beyond the hatred of Anita Bryant, the tragedy of Shepard, to today in America, where same sex marriage is legally accepted!
Now see old familiar hatred in some eyes, homophobia that comes with ignorance and self denial!
Actually saw it clear, in some eyes on January 6th, the bigotry, rage, anger, for gays come second on a “ White Supremacy “ hate list!
Use to think we conquered racism, starting with the words of Lincoln, “fellow Citizens we cannot escape history, the fiery trials of which we pass, will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation” to the progressive civil rights, free love and hippies!
With Obama we got Kings dream! We’ve “come so far as a nation” or so it seemed!
Now stuck in a groove, the underbelly of KKK in America never disappeared! See how it has found its face, a vote, its voice, an echo of an old out of tune note!
Use to celebrate all the milestones my sista’s have achieved through the centuries Lysistrata, Currie, Suffragettes, work place, control over body, burning bras!
Now autonomy is hanging by a thread, some states the thread is gone and some of our sista’s are dead! What do our sista’s or any of us have if no control over the body we are in!
Use to think that anyone could be reasoned with, talked with, be educated.
Now realize only if open to thought, not if closed minded, misguided or bigoted.
Use to think on November 5th will be about who won and who lost.
Now I believe this is a test who we are as a nation, is Thomas Paine's “ Age of Reason” gone? If so, at what cost?
Use to think everyone here now knew the planet is round!
Now have spoken to people who deeply believe the earth is flat, they have conceptual arguments, crazy speak abounds!
Use too have Hope!
Now grasp for it!
Without it, I’d be lost!
As an Unflinching Observer of a “nation defining” coin toss!
I WIN
I Wrote this after my breakup with the Wildcard band. It was painful but I ended up with much better players. I was made the hero in the story and they were completely diminished in the local rags, especially the “Noise” which I reference to in the lyrics. I wanted to write my revenge song with my new “bitchin” guitar-driven rock band! Ended up being my “heaviest” song. So….
What you gonna say? What you trying to do? Step on my balls, try to feel a little taller?
When you coming down, from your mighty little cloud? I poked a hole right through it. Ha! Ha! Screw Ya!
Now I won’t turn around and change destiny.
It’s your game, my move, I WIN!!!
When I saw your word, noisy little blurb, I held a mirror to it, I sent it right back at ya!
When you coming down you, SILLY little clown. When I saw you boys, diminished in the NOISE, I knew right then I could begin to send away your energy, and now I say EAT MY DUST, I WIN!!!!
In the end you dream about me now, I’m running late for the show, I’m minutes away, you’re a minute away, no time for your lies, play someone else or should I say EAT MY DUST, I WIN!!!