"Morning Noises"

Police and fire sirens blare
An early emergency somewhere

Neighbor’s water squeaking thro’ the pipes
Two cats clawing each other’s stripes

Traffic hums and honks, tires squeal
In such a hurry…what’s the big deal?

Mower of lawns and whacker of weeds
Garbage man missed: in-reverse beeps

Nearby pickup started and revved up loud
I’m not quite used to this urban crowd

Cell phone buzzes, again I slap the snoozer
I wonder: would I prefer a rooster?

"I Don't Wanna Go Sleep"

I don’t wanna go sleep,
I’ve had too much caffeine
There’s a million things that I could do,
Just time me: fifteen!

I don’t wanna go sleep,
I’ve had too much caffeine
I’m not my best without my rest,
Gotta roast me some fresh beans

From wall to wall I’m bouncing again—
It’s the biggest joy buzz there is (with fizz!)

I dont wann go slep, cuz mayb if I do
I woldn’t catc m favrit shw
Mor Coke, mo Pep—misd step!
I thk I wil go get me sum slasdf;ld...

---

adapted from "I Don't Wanna Grow Up"
Toys R Us (1987)

"Grace Like"

Vigilant, distant sentinel
Marching across the plain,
His whispered shouts
Echoing off fragile pane

Cleansing away the grime
Washing away the stain,
Pounding downpour
Eases scorch’s pain

Constant, steady gale
Stops a spinning vane
Direction thro’ chaos
To walk the narrow lane

Soaks all the earth
For harvesting some grain
Trees grow and stretch
Producing fruit to sustain

Thunderous roar
And shaking of mane
Vigilant, nearby sentinel
Returning to reign

"Hungry"

Starving people take desperate actions
They steal
They cheat
They lie
Sell their bodies
Fill their bellies with cheap, fluffy junk
Just to survive
But barely alive

Desperate times, desperate measures
We understand
We’ve been there
Even if it’s just a bellyache
And not malnourishment

One meal a day isn’t enough
But some exist on one each week
          Or less
And we wonder why they do desperate things
And we wonder why we do desperate things

A good diet
          Milk
          Bread
          Meat
          Fruit
Frequent meals
A few snacks
Even a treat once in a while
Or a glass of wine
Signs of a healthy life
Signs of an abundant life
No need for desperate actions
Just gratitude and satisfaction

Did you think I was talking about food?
          Did you?

We don’t live by bread alone

"Zydeco After Dallas"

Washboard and spoons
Guitar and drums
Accordion

Getting together
With the band

A moment not about skin
But about soul
A party not about race
But about rhythm
Take a stand
(or perhaps a dance)
Against hate

Yell a little
Prance a little
Live, love a lot

Making music
While joining hands

"Texas Stop Sign"

Blue ink on the back of a receipt,
Stopped for a certain ice cream treat,
Didn't have it; still got something to eat
I'll be back—after all,
          it's just down the street

"With Hands Raised"

I speak into Your ear
but You speak into my heart
Where have I been, Lord?
Where have I been?
I know it was me
for You were always there
My heart ached
but now it's awake
Where have I been, Lord?
Where have I been?
You are here
I am here
Where, Lord?
Where shall we go now?
Lead on
My heart ached
but now it's awake
Lead on

"For Mom"

I did not have a choice
In who I got for mother,
But even if I did,
I would not choose another

She gets my silly jokes
Right away or soon thereaft’;
My heart sure loves to smile
When Dad or I make her laugh

She taught me all thro’ life,
Such as how to fold clean socks,
Drip castles at the beach,
And fresh undies for the doc

When snoozing in the morn,
Once or twice, but never thrice,
All others hear the beep;
Best get up before the ice

On tax and other such,
My knowledge is ‘most bereft,
But this I know for sure:
Debits always on the left

She loves her only boy
And she loves his three sons too
And that—love—is the
Most important thing to do

And so I hope you see,
When we honor all mothers,
I’m grateful and I’m glad,
And could not choose another

"Snickers"

Hungry? Why wait?
Chocolate won't waste
Might go to your waist

Advertising is genius
Packed with peanuts
Quick way to protein us

Calories are king-sized
Due in part to caramelized
Nonetheless, it satisfies

You're not you, man,
When you're hungry for nougat
Share one (with Ted Nugent?)

Candy-licious, a name it needs
How about a Martian steed?
(Gives a flippant, hidden laugh) Indeed

"It Has Begun"

Let there be
Let them be gathered
Let them produce
And it was good

Let us make
And it was very good

Two certain trees
Surrounded by a garden
Two cherished ones
Parents of all men

Eve was tempted
Adam complicit
Nakedness known

The gate closed
God looked on,
Sorrowed, forlorn
"It has begun"

Let there be
Let her conceive
Let her choose
And she was good

Let him live
And he was very good

One certain tree
Not in a garden
One cherished one
Penance for all men

Christ was silent
Accusers complained
Righteousness sown

The nails pierced
God looked down,
Bleeding and scorned
"It is done"

Let them see
Let them be gathered
Let them rejoice
The news was good

Let him save
The news was very good

One certain stone
Rolled in a garden
One promised one
Presence to the end

Love is moving
Always comforting
Righteousness known

The Son rose
God looked 'round,
Veil's been torn
"It has begun"

"How Do I Take A Shower?"

Google it
...

Soap and plumbing shopping spree?
Several articles that all disagree

A hot one makes you look old
But few can tolerate the cold

Some “experts” say it’s best at night
Others consider bed-head fright

Don’t overdo it and do take care
Here’s a schedule to condition my hair

Soaps and scrubs all organic
Or just a sudsy bar in a panic

All these rules and regulations!
I don’t even know—what’s exfoliation?

Did my research and still haven’t started
Just...ugh! How do you turn on the water!?

"-synthesis"

Nourished in the dirt 

Poison absorbed
Breathe out number eight
Life from high above
Leaves raised to the sun

Nourished in the Word
All sin absolved
Sing out holy praise
Life through Awesome love
Hands raised to the Son

Planted and grown
For plenty of uses:

Adventure, climb

Quick door decorations

Fire’s fuel from wood

Beloved and known
So no more excuses:

Love-law is prime

Sick, poor ministrations
Prayers oft we should

"Nevermore"

A desert land of doom and gloom,
sadness and madness,
dampened hope and knotted rope

But in the darkness
shines a Light that beckons us tonight
Put it behind you again,
this prison den called sin

But quoth the Savior, "Nevermore"

"The Quest"

A questing journey to mountain’s peak
Thro’ forests dark and battles thick
almost severing hope’s endless wick
‘Tis an answer our heroes seek

Traveling trio with hearts all true
with bow, with arrow, with sword and shield
A year or more, and far afield
They’re loyal and strong, courageous too

They fight their way thro’ monsters large:
spiders, trolls, and countless beasts
fierce dragons, too, ‘til fires cease
An army’s call? They lead the charge

Of no value are shining gold,
sparkling gems, and magic rings
To them, these treasures don’t mean a thing
“Expenses only,” they’ve spoken bold

Amongst themselves, they quarreled a season
A fair maiden’s hand they pursued,
but she eloped—some other strong youth
Suddenly, there was no reason

They passed right by the youthful fountain,
a map and key to Shangri-La,
and ogre pursued by angry mob
Steadfast, they approached the mountain

Up, up! Above the clouds they climb
One final test before they quit,
but not all are fated to make it:
Two fell while rumbling rocks did slide

The last adventurer did not stop
Wiped frostbit nose with tattered sleeve,
decided he had no time to grieve,
Beaten, bloody, he crawled to top

“Young man, what is it that you wonder?”
the wise man asked, patient hands clasped
“Dear Sage,” said he thro’ faint final gasp,
“Toilet paper: over—or under?”

"Ears To Hear"

A second shift
‘cause ben-Yaaqob
said he was sick
Prob’ly faking again

It’s getting cold,
should build a fire
Working half-souled,
watching a rooster sleep

Abrupt bustle
A Roman squad
on the hustle
Assigned to go along

Across the brook
I raise my torch
and take a look
Twelve men in the garden

They look simple
I saw that one
in the temple
Wha—Suddenly supine!

A flash! A cry!
The big one’s sword!
I’m ‘bout to die
Mutter quick: whispered curse

Can’t hear, bleeding!
If ben-Yaaqob
is home reading…
If only ben-Yaaqob!!!

The one which we sought,
he has come quite near
Just what has he wrought?
It’s back! My right ear!

They rush Him off now
I fall to my knees
and in my heart bow
I hear, and I see

Perhaps he is sick
Could he too be healed?
ben-Yaaqob needs quick
to know: This is real