Unlicensed

I wish that I could speak

The way you do to me 

With no reserve and confidence 

But I know that will never be 

My role is just to listen

It's what it's been right from the start 

I'm your confidant and therapist 

To unburden all your heart 

But you never think of me, do you?

Of how it makes me feel 

You know nothing of who I am 

Of the wounds that just won't heal 

I've got this great deep well 

Of longing and of pain 

Of emotions bubbling to the surface 

That I simply can't restrain 

It's now showing on my fingers 

On my face and on my toes

The manifestations of my distress 

Tied up with little bows 

You speak, and I listen 

And I listen some more 

No question of how are you today? 

If asked it's cursory and a chore

And after all that talk 

I no longer want to share

Because you're not really listening 

And so blissfully unaware 

And so my heart is torn 

The pain wells up so strong 

Despite my guilt at feeling it 

Because I know that this is wrong 

Wiser

I saw a name today
That truly made me start
A singsong sound to it
That felt like living art

A call to years gone by
Disappearing in a trice
A haunting memory
Of an internal, burning vice

Left along the way
The knowledge of this lust
Wiser now than then
Understanding we all return to dust

Don't. Give. Up.

No. Just No.
Stupid. That's what this is.
Potential. Being wasted.

Life. Grinding on.

Hearts. Being beaten.
Stop. How can we?
Promise. Of a new day.
Focus. On the sun. 

Immaturity

Oh you stupid, stupid girl!
Can't you see what's going on?
A momentary shiver
Turn around and it's all gone.

Remember these words I say
You'll think back on this I know
When life's hard and bitter winds
Have had their time to blow

One day you'll understand
The folly of your youth
And wonder with regret
How you missed the deeper truth

Maybe it's your age
Your young-ness in heart and soul
That's leading you astray
So far from life's ultimate goal.

Quiet Place

I have a private life
It's one you cannot see
It's right there inside my mind
It's only meant for me

It has a lovely garden
Filled with greens and reds and blues
And a lonely beach at sunset
For my secret personal use

A mansion there stands glowing
With rooms of now and then
Of fantasy and fiction
Of friend and foe and ken

In this world my eyes can see
As brightly as before
But with more clarity and vision
It's where I am for sure

Those who enter in
Are fleeting and very few
They come by invitation
For if they only knew...

But now I've said enough
To stir the mind and soul
To let it be presented
You see only part of the whole

Goals

Growing restless now
The finish is close
But the goal is far
How do I get there?

Ode to a life built together

There was a gulf between us
A chasm wide and deep
Eroded slowly through the years
Created by the sins we keep

But now there is a bridge
Where none appeared before
A structure delicate yet strong
Willed there from our very core

We were young and kindred spirits
Connected easily through song
Dancing to our very own soundtrack
Never thinking things could go wrong

But, we let the years slip by
Intent on living life
Fighting through the peaks and troughs
Honoring vows as man and wife

And then one day we found
That our souls had gone to sleep
Lulled into a numb submission
From wounds silent but going deep

Yet we were meant to be
You know it as I do
Two troopers bound for life
With hearts both bold and true

We'll meet there in the middle
Where we can feel once more
We'll fill the gulf with memories
And let our spirits soar

The music has restarted
Softly, yes, but there
A reminder of the beginning
Of just how much we care

So, hold tight the ride's not over
Not yet as far as I can tell
We have many years before us
So, let us live them well

Name

Your name ties me to you
In ways you cannot know
A sweeping fuzzy feeling
That leaves me all aglow

An assurance of the past
Of what you meant to me
A solid, comforting rock
An escape to history

I'm sure of just one thing
That despite my age and time
Your name will always soothe
With no reason, just lovely rhyme

Rekindled!

Winds have fanned the flame
I never thought it could be the same
But it's a better version of the past
Proving togetherness is a solid mast

Warm arms provide a comforting embrace
A secure refuge from this crazy race
Knowing deep down we're in this together
A support, a team, a partner forever

And I thank my stars every day
That fate placed him in my way
No better destiny I can see
Than knowing he stands next to me

Still Singing

Left and back again
A slowly burning pain
Desire that smolders away
Intensifying with the grey

Hearing of a stolen glance
Of a once-in-a-lifetime chance
Knowing it's just a fantasy
Daydreams that set you free

Despite the years gone by
These thoughts still wrench a sigh
Of what could never be
As fancy can't do reality