Like it or not

I’m always caught

Being me

Wild and free

Still feels like

I’m over-preparing

Makes my life less daring

Yet people seem less caring

So then I speak my mind

Stretching out to be kind

Climbing out of my brain

Not working for show

Yet becoming a pro

With good news

We should never be sparing

Even with naysayers staring

*

Like it or not

Love can’t be bought

Being free seems to be

What it feels like

When we’re most caring

*

Make life worth sharing

And people much better fairing

By speaking our mind

Reaching out to be kind

Jumping out of our brain

To give to the show

We all become pro

And choose to please

Whomever’s not wearing thin

On the play of the day

We are blaring

*

People don’t always agree

There’s many sides to a story

There’s playful opposition

Or fierce competition

We may be

Forever sorry

If we always want more

Try to understand

Like it or not

We’ve got what we’ve got

Don’t get upset

If you have a lot

We like and we love

There’s want and need

Don’t be too opinionated

Or deluded by greed

*

Like it or not

I’m always caught

Being me

In obscurity

Feeling like

I’m over-declaring

To make my thoughts worth sharing

For people that are more caring

Speaking my mind

Stretching out to be kind

Climbing out of my brain

Not working for show

Yet becoming a pro

With good news

We should never be sparing

Even with naysayers acting unfairly

***

***

In the forest

Past the edge of town

A Troll lives under a bridge

A nasty hopping troll

No tourist here

Hops fast over the hedge

He frowns and furrows his brow

And examines tracks in the dirt

Says to himself

“Who passed here?!

How’d they get by

Without me knowing?

It makes me mad

and I feel hurt”

*

A hunched and greasy Troll

Squished through branches of the hedge

Claw caught his arm

Tree-nails scratching flesh

But the plant didn’t care

“Home needs repair”

He seethed and scrambled down the bank

Attacked the cliff as if it was stairs

“Why won’t the passerby help me out?

It really isn’t fair”

*

The troll seemed unsettled

For all of time

Follows uneven ground

Down to the stream

He shuffled and slid

Rocks tumble and skid

Chasing the forest

Madly into a dream

Found some refuge

Curled in the base of a tree

No one amused

They thought his rock free

As if he used grime

As a ruse to confuse

*

Grime and filth of roads

We creep along

Folk jump lines

Squashing trolls like toads

Can’t wait for a new day

“More! More!”

Humans cry

Glazed eyes

Troll stares

into a thoughtless sky

Reaching out to catch clouds’

Gold and silver lining

Grace finds

Fallen angels flying

By sharing psyche

Divining

*

Out of the sky

As if from a cocoon

The grim Troll was greeted by wings

On fire

Inspired

To take him higher

And never again to sink

Was it truth, justice or human equity?

Or was it another wild delusion?

Free living or a dragon

Or someone to flag down

To share Love

With food and kinder amusement?

*

The mood had to do

with the attitude

All loose

Unrefined

was nothing to compare to

Sailing heights he could find

and deep insights

Rising from finding beauty in the world

Something that shouldn’t be disguised

And Never would be compromised

No matter how far down he climbed

The angel revived him

*

Above all and winding higher

No one anticipated such a fire

Melting candles

We must acquire

Illuminate shared desire

Day and night a glow on

The horizon

Words bestow way more pride on

When society reaches out

To help one stay strong

Fly through life fast and fair

And calmly stay aware of

Which side of life’s road

Light might shine on

And stay right on

*

Problem with angels

Timelessly old

Robbing angles

Of folks

Like this hopeless troll

Certain light

Helps his fight

And at times makes it right

But in blackest night

Even divinity struggles

No affinity for his social bubbles

Beauty of a butterfly

Form of psyche

Can’t occupy seclusion

Troll looks down says

“No one likes me”

*

“But I like you”

Came a voice booming from above

“Your choice is

Doom or true blue love”

The bottom dweller and bridge-haunting fiend

Thought about it and did not want greed

“Damn it all!

If this is the end

This is my last call

I take Doom”

In giving up hope

That was his fall

He lost all scope

and swung his rope

*

All twisted and tangled and totally misled

Tied up tight

Troll then turned and said

“I must get free from this tumultuous thread!”

He gazed up

with the beast

Flying over his head

And thought for one moment

Soon he’d be dead

Then the sky seemed to open

Yet when predator’s eyes turned to red

Kind guardian overlords took over instead

*

The force of fierce friends

Takes shapes that can shift

Lends assurance of life

So his energy lifts

Pigeons around Troll’s home

Under the bridge

Gave him spirit to rise up

Past any cliff

Past self-doubt

And fear

Past moods that can drift

And past any predators

That have caught a whiff

*

Down on the grass

Sitting ducks launch

Into the water

To get off the raunch

The stench of the Troll

Like water off their back

Attracts the worst in people

Not kept on track

Even wild friends swim to be clean

The black of the unknown

In kind light grows to green

Death of shared hope

is the most obscene

*

Then seeing the Troll under the bridge

Folks walking by were still having fits

“He’s creepy

Dangerous

And coming over the ridge

Push him down

He’s a clown

He fakes weeping

To prey on us

Quick

Save the kids”

But what they didn’t know was this:

The troll was one of them

Yet they threw him down in the ditch

*

Most folk spite him

Though he’d been enlightned

Life under the bridge:

So very frightening

He knew inside

His ideas were alright and

All their lies so up high still

He worked on his pitch

As they closed their eyelids

And gave him mountains to climb

They’re rich yet deprived him

No matter what good he did

His insight never would find them

*

“I think I’m here because of my luck

Some things I do

Help me on my way

What I started with

And the structure of the system

truly landed me here

in every single way”

The path laid past the true person

As he made his way down the line

He gained energy

from the joy in life he could find

with survival and kindness in mind

*

As he struts down the path

And shares passion in a breath

It’s as if no one cares

Except those that have wrath

Or others that laugh

With but not at

Those that do

Are so few

Put him to the test

Though he’s already stressed

It’s confessed that he’s blessed

And he worries about the rest

*

Typical adventure

To wish the best and be prevented

From doing what he meant to

Redemption

That never went through

But when he tried again

Friendship felt heaven sent

His words are gentle

The passerby didn’t comprehend them

Until they reached their potential

to blend in more mental health

As intended

*

“Oh my God

The hand I’m dealt”

the Troll-Person sighed

And deeply felt

“If they could share my thoughts

And into my dreams melt

To build mental health

There is no greater wealth!”

The Troll’s ability to adapt

Moved him past the bridge

Into the world he aimed to help

Their indifference was the only hitch

*

Regarding moving on

Some ties were hacked and severed

Not by his own choice

His pride: never in fact that clever

Those most annoyed

Slightly

Impacted by the weather

Forever but in the instant tethered

to the acting soul

Like a feather in his cap

Blowing as fast as

The brevity of wit could ever

*

Though certain trees had fallen

along his walk out of the forest

He knew to make his home here

To build each day up

With kind morals

And when his friend came out of the sky

To help with his chorus

The adventure was just getting underway

And honesty opens doors best

While patience is the core test

*

Reaching from the sky

Partly reflected from the past

A sign of things to come for sure

With changes coming fast

All around him today dropped down

So numb the skies were overcast

The world in metamorphosis

The old year still to pass

Shapes hidden cold and grey

Bursting through all shadows

Into a sudden place to stay

Everyone that’s glad knows

*

Before he could reach that place to bide

Where warmth

Comfort and companionship hide

He trudged through hills and mountains wide

And thought of the days under the bridge

he had lied

Where many folks had quietly died

And until now no one had cried

And when his icy tears were dried

He twisted the knob and went inside

*

Opening the door

Stumbling into the house

After such a long journey

He no longer had doubts

The Person

Not a Troll

Never screams and shouts

like a grouch

Found life and had past

for which he could vouch

Moments of truth bringing joy

still hide and crouch

Until in front of him

A fierce beast on the couch

*

Hunger they shared was

Insatiable

Showing no fear

Though death was near

Respect kept him clear

Teeth glistening

Hair or their necks bristling

Tongues whistling

Taste of love dripping life

They gave it all

Quite scared

but effort made both their lives savable

All the demands to be strong and courageous

They digested in stages

Both must be appeased

To keep their world safe as

Under the bridge places

In most cases

Truly cruel and outrageous

Despite both being

Totally capable

*

Run across the galaxy

Hold onto gravity

When the world throws us storms and fire

Look ahead

Life will inspire

Whether under a rock

Or far under the road

When optimistic

A prince shown from a toad

Dig for kindness and find it

Different light

Don’t mind it

Failure is a fallacy

New experience is all we need

*

The beast and the person

In total immersion

Of life’s changing ways

There’s always new days

The loss of one

Brings another

Into time and space

They follow the river

And go under the bridge

Find light under the sky

or black as pitch

If to each other

They have aversion

Time to move on

Or work it out

Take another excursion

That’s life

To be sure of

*

An emotional sunshine

Climbing to new highs

Or falling through the skies

ON understanding they balance

Between peaks and branches

The person we see

Pure and free

or caught up could be

the Troll or a Beast

or you or me

Time takes it’s toll

Yet if the dynamics roll right

Pain loses the fight

And comfort takes over the light

*

Descending towards night

Or rising for all days

Our breath

The Earth

As we travel

Changes

Under and

Over

Ancient archways

As to the sun and

Wretched disparity that’s

Done

There is always

Light

Hold all life as one

Aim for respect and empathy

Never shun

Better understanding

And with optimism

There are resources

For everyone

Only then our bridge is won

And no Person or Troll

Is left with none

Ot under the gun

Or on the run

Growing cold and old

With no love or fun

Or what folks want

Not bought or sold

Without dignity

Or stunned

Fairly allowed to live like anyone

A tale to be told

Or spun

Only of peace

Love

and new Freedom

Just

True

Freedom

***

* This is one of the first lyrics I wrote, written in the late 1980’s or early 90’s. I did some revisions recently and have the guitar ready to go for my next podcast…. Dark but with ideas of brightness.

***

Sky is endless black and

The Stars are forever bright

My eyes fill with fire

Burning in the night

A Dancing demon

or a Singing angel

These timid strangers lead to unseen dangers

*

My mind drifts deep

As I close my eyes tight

My body falls asleep

As I’m pulled into the night

Spirits fly high

But my body waits below

I fight to free my soul

With everything I know

*

We use our love to conquer all fear

We have gained control

 so We are safe here

Now we lie awake

 but our dreams seem real

The sun

the moon

the Stars

All bare our seal

*

Sky is endless black

And the stars are forever bright

My eyes fill with lights like fire

Burning in the night

Dancing demons

or Singing angels

These timid strangers lead to our greatest changes

*

My mind journeys deep

As the Visions glow in the light

My body

I can’t keep

as I’m pulled into the night

Rivers run high and

Flames burn far below

I fight to raise our souls

 with everything I know

***

Before I begin

I stop and listen to the wind

Sweeping through the trees

Cleansing all the leaves

To my core reaching deeper

Into my heart

And in my head

Orange and yellow

And bright red

All now swirling

Winter clean

Into the Earth

Till spring grows green

*

History awakes

A new day breaks

*

It starts to sink in

A cold winter wind

Ripping through trees

Barren of leaves

Now souls reach deeper

Into kind hearts

and into our heads

Wishes we follow

Thoughts left for dead

Moon overturning

Forgotten dreams

Outside the Earth

No season is seen

*

History seems fake

As new stars awake

*

No precedent found

For the sky or the ground

Break through days

Sharing fair ways

No causing pain

For personal gain

No attacks on our peace

Just because movements cease

Support the vulnerable with care

Stay more aware

Difference on the surface

Should not be feared but reassure us

We all deserve to live well

*

Our shared life has begun

And with the river run

Swept into the sea

Surging mystery

Vision getting clearer

Into my heart

And in my head

Once thought shallow

Now deep instead

Ages swirling

Cross-currents mean

Within the Earth

Kind channels clean

*

History is at stake

As a new day breaks

***

I wrote this about artistic inspiration. I am inspired by so many. The folks I invoke here have played a special part recently and for many memorable parts in my life.

***

Forever I remember your name

Your vision

Image

And wishes

No one will ever be the same

Your voice and words are so delicious

Bringing Health

and Courage

and Joy

*

I’m here

and listen for more

Imagining life in peace

The world is at the door

And through a certain slant of light

Yours is the only promise we need

*

As we trade our hours for dimes

Your spirit

Feeling and kind soul

Turn dark days into beautiful times

Weave notes and words into hours mindful

Sharing wellness

Ethics and passion

*

I’m here and listen for more

Way beyond yesterday

The future is at the door

Sent direct

Today is the messenger

Yours is the only promise we need

*

John Lennon and Jim Morrison

One day I’ll make a name for myself

Being true to my nature and fighting for causes

No talent will do the same as

Our Incredible losses

But others share powerful music

Our enduring heart crosses

Bif Naked and The Tea Party band

Working miracles for today’s many bosses🇨🇦

*

The old man down the road

could see the River bending

And in a moment of weakness

gave his soul to the

Commotion

Of all the kaleidoscopes

the best I’ve seen is in

Experimental cost

Focused on wellness

No matter what

And

Free for

Many hours we share together

Loving on

This crystal ship

*
Forever I remember your name

Your vision

Image

And wishes

No one will ever be the same

Your voice and words are so delicious

Bringing Health

and Courage

and Joy

*

I’m here

and listen for more

Imagining life in peace

The world is at the door

And through a certain slant of light

Yours is the only promise we need

***

We are all fast

We won’t come to a stop

We hold on to some of the past

While the future’s on top

My love please help me keep moving

Right now

Right now keep me moving somehow

Fast

*

We are so alive

Hold on to what we’ve got

For every goal we strive

Love means quite a lot

Come on Love

Help us out

*

Fast as fire

Fast as a river

Fast as our skin moves

if we shake and shiver

At the peak of the moment

Fast as release

Fast as times go by

when we can find peace

*

There’s nothing faster than action

Driven by love

There’s nothing more for sure than

Love from above

And still the world

Can’t get enough

*

Fast as lightening

Fast as hard rain

Fast as thoughts move

If we’re going insane

At the peak of chaos

Fast like a beast

Fast as times we hide

And hope to find peace

Theres nothing faster than dreams

Driven by love

There’s nothing more for sure than

Love from above

And still the world

Can’t get enough

*

We are all fast

We won’t come to a stop

We hold on to some of the past

While the future’s on top

My love please help me keep moving

Right now

Right now keep me moving

somehow

*

We are so alive

Hold on to what we’ve got

For every goal we strive

Love means more than a lot

Come on Love

Come out on top

Where are all

the people that care?

I know some do

But in the big scheme of things

Many seem unaware

Or unable and preoccupied

I try to reach out to help

The world seems to hide

It’s like we need wicked pride to just get attention

As if when we’re not elected or promoted

We’re not even worth mention

*

Where are all the people that care?

I know some do

But in the big picture

Many seem so unfair

Or unfocused and mystified

I try to reach out to help

But the world denies

It’s like we need a famous light to just get attention

As if public intelligence without spectacle

Is not even worth mention

*

So I keep shouting

And make a big production

If you can’t hear us now

Maybe soon you will

What I can’t understand

Is all the deep doubting

To cause health reduction

To other’s words you’ll never bow

Maybe soon you will

Realize you can understand

Ways to learn about being

Safe and well

with our kind introduction

*

It’s about peace of mind

We can’t find it without you

It comes from inside

And it is all about you

The outside world depends on your action

Now that they’ve found you

The energy grounds you

Together now

or alone

A healthy mood with Peace in mind

Determines everything that’s known

*

Where are all

the people that care?

I know you do

But when it comes down to it

Many will not dare

So unstable and stupefied

Stop and stare

Try to reach out to help

But the world has lied

It’s like we need to be crucified to just get attention

As if when we’re not subjected and devoted

We are not even worth mention

*

So I keep praying

And make a big production

If you can’t hear us now

Maybe soon you will

What I can’t understand

Is why kind plans are decaying

This is Peace reduction

To equitable words you’ll never bow

Maybe soon you will

Realize you can understand

Ways today to start being

Safe and well

with our kind introduction

*

This is how good things happen

Yes we protect our world

But we reach out to others

Keep our sacrifice healthy

Until we can make another

Introduce the current moment

Stay true to who we are

Don’t jeopardise the future

Instead build it up

The more we keep it together

The better life we share

***

Sometimes if we’re different

We make unusual comments

like how we make it through

to get past our hard days

With more than a few

We may challenge social norms

If in life we feel injured

We try to choose smart ways

But in a mood that’s incurred

Karma’s conflicting storms

Can consume all our days

*

Sometimes if we’re different

We have unusual visions

that help us make it through

to get past our bad days

Although it’s nothing new

We may hope for more warmth

But in life run through the wringer

We strive to choose ways to save

With tones calm and cool like a singer

Karma’s kindness forms

Stays true for all our days

*

You tear apart differences

as if searching for a truth

The only difference

is what you’ve learned

Keep it together to improve

One helping clue:

We ARE together

Caught up in the moment

Mood builds from philosophy

And new perspectives we haven’t known yet

Now coming into vision

Just because we’re different

*

Sometimes when we’re different

We make unusual choices

to try to make it through

We get past some tough days

But if we miss a cue

We can fall thru open arms

And life slips through our fingers

It seems we choose rough ways

But in truth illusion lingers

While Karma’s coping charms

Get us through all our days

***

Each day I awake

and before my eyes open

I think of You

You are the LOVE of my life

EVERYONE

EVERYTHING

EVERYWHERE the sun reaches

*

REAL LOVE

That starts like a spark

Breathes life in my heart

And grows in the dark

As it teaches

No preaching

Just feeling

*

REAL LOVE of

EVERYONE

EVERYTHING

EVERYWHERE

*

Real Love is just to care

Find ways to share

Always be fair

*

In a world that is often “Go go go”

Real Love can move

Fast or slow

It grows with our actions

Never just for show

*

Real love is about being aware

Sooner or later

We all win when we care

For Everyone

Everything

Everywhere

*

Deep within the unchecked silence

There are sirens ringing

People suffer neglect or violence

Build Real Love for

Defiance clinging

*

Rules and Ideas of compliance

Like hard-edged diamonds stinging

Fools and Egos deaf and blind as hell

While the alliance of Real Love singing:

Love all

Serve all

*

Each day fades away

And as my eyes close

I think of You

You are the Love of my life

MY ONE and ONLY

EVERYTHING

EVERYWHERE the night falls

*

REAL LOVE

Intensely good path

Breathes Peace in our heart

Lights up the dark

As it reaches out

To all needing

Good feeling

*

And to reach within

Past any fall:

Love All

Serve All

Words deemed flavorless

Out of a raven’s fist

Offer potential

To rise to new heights

One awkward statement

A downward spiral

No denial

Then one quick turn

Now looking up again

Sky in our sights

*

Feeling normal

Acting grand

No name or fame

Wisened flier at times admired

Seems to me

it’s all been planned

*

Of time oblivious

Caught in a lover’s kiss

Lifelong potential

To rise to new heights

One awkward statement

Carry for miles

Eased by smiles

More we learn

More we look up again

Our life invites

*

Feel stable

Take a stand

Mind the flame

Body and brain

Our desired fire is

Designed Inspired

Seems to me

it’s all been planned

*

Puzzle piece falls into place

Finds a perfect fit

An unsettling breeze blows over this space

Awkward instant tears us to bits

Dedication builds us back up again

At times in starts and fits

*

Be kind

There is no risk

*

Focus on the moment and the moment finds us

Nature we share

Help us take care of things

*

Be kind

There is no risk

As we understand

Share calm words

Be overheard with a consistent caring plan

Focus on the moment and the moment finds us

Nature we share

Helps us take care of things

Start opening our mind

To working harder at being kind

Save grace when we can

Seems to me its all been planned

*

You seem more than curious

about some kind of eternal bliss

Dream of potential

To rise to new heights

One well-placed statement

End of the trial

Finish with style

Time to burn

Till things look up again

We all have our rites

I’m feeling able

To lend a hand

Times seem dire till we rise higher

Seems to me

it’s all been planned

***