Logging Camp

You never really had much of a childhood

Growing up in a logging camp chopping wood

You never played ball or went to school

You had to work to eat, that was the rule

Sometimes I feel like I had it rough

But I just think of you and that’s enough

To change my mind about my life as a child

Riding bikes, playing in the woods, running wild

I know it doesn’t sound like much ado

But I really appreciate all you went through

Everyone has a past a story to tell

And if we learn from them we are doing well

I have learned a great deal of life

Understanding your hardships and strife

Your words paint a picture of an adventurous kid

Who had a tough go at things and then

Without an education or discipline for

Raised a family on a carpenter’s dollar

If you could see now the seeds that you sowed

And see we have made it then you would know

That it is worth it every tear every mile

Filled with laughter, fear, heartache and smiles

Gray Mountain

The mountain is gray and bare; its majesty lost
Soon covered with snow and tempest tossed
The storm now passed reveals its wake
Branches heavy, bending, breaking under its weight

Forgoing the silence of the night
A distant howl, a midnight call in the expanse of solemn snow
The sun now rises with blinding brilliance reflecting off the covered Earth
The snow melting and nourishing the new birth

Spring is in the air and flowers bloom
Color returns to the scope and view
Rewriting history and starting anew
Without a threat of pending doom

The seedlings grow and take root
On the mountain once forsook
The mountain is green and lush; its majesty regained
A sign to all who witness new life start again

Gray Mountain Colorized

I Never Called You Dad

I never called you dad sometimes I wonder why

Things happened the way they did but I cannot hide

The way I feel about you even though words never expressed

The love that I have for you is genuine nonetheless

I wish things were different when I was coming of age

But I can’t change the past and it made me who I am today

I remember the fishing trips and how you would just stop in

Two or three times a week and I’d stay with you on the weekend

As a teenager I was really upset that you didn’t call me son

When you passed away I wanted to be alone and run

Away from it all so I didn’t come say goodbye

I know I probably should have but I think I was trying to deny

As I had been denied for all of those years

The dad that I should have had to help calm my fears

Of growing up in this world of despicable men

I’m sure it would have been easier if you had given in

And just let me love you the way I wanted to

As a dad and not just someone I knew

I do wish things were different but you know it’d be a thrill

To say I love you; always have; always will

Sing

I find myself limited, restrained

I start looking around to see who I can blame

But no one’s there; just me. How could it be?

I put myself in a box and threw away the key

I live my life trying to break free

From the imaginings and myths of normalcy

Trying to reconcile and circumvent the very thought

That I am here by choice; it’s my own fault

I glance past the wall that I built with care

And I dance around the corner; do I dare

I shout out loud and burst into song

Off key and out of tune; you should sing along

I am happy to sing with you ‘til you find your voice

It’s not about the sound but hearing without noise

Break down that wall; remove the façade

Encore, encore; your heart applauds

Now there you’ve got it, just give it a go

Invigorating, empowering; more than you know

There is only one thing that you must do

Pass the song along to someone like you

Who Am I?

Who am I?

What will I leave behind?

When I am gone, will you remember me or know my cause?

I hope to make you think and give you pause

Time to reflect and to deliberate

Am I predestined? Is this my fate?

What are you up to? What are you about?

Are you living your life from within or without?

Be yourself with no hesitation

Proclaim to the world; every post; every station

No one can be me like me and I ain’t changing

To conform to a standard by proclamation

I don’t know how I will be remembered when my time it through

I don’t have the answers but one thing I know is true

I will be me and you should be you!

Thinking Of You Today

Thinking of you today

Heart so heavy words cannot say

I like to think I am past the tears

But then I realize my greatest fears

Being here without you; it’s been awhile

Since I’ve held your hand or seen your smile

I know that you are still with me each and every day

In the lessons and musings you taught along the way

I want you to know Mom, you were the best

It is comforting to know that you are at rest

It is hard to grasp that you are really gone

In a crowded room I can still feel alone

I am doing well; just thought I would say

Thinking of you today

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to gather ‘round the table

To count your blessings and thank God you are able

To be here with family and all you hold dear

Momma we miss you, it’s that time of year

We think of you often and the way that you left

And how you loved us with every breath

We know you are well in your robe of white

But what would I give to see you tonight

To see you at the stove frying sweet potatoes

Or icing a cake you so lovingly made us

Calling on someone to help lift the turkey

With so much food you could never go hungry

Virginia is making her potato casserole

And Louise, of course, has her pumpkin rolls

Ann fixed up the carport so we could all fit

Bud will surely bring his prized bean dip

Pat will bring food and all the Cochran kin

I hope Rhonda and Donnie can make it in

Vickie is working but we’ll save her a place

Ricky will be here with a smile on his face

I will be here with the rest of the crowd

With the grands and great-grands it’s gonna get loud

We love and think of you with every dish

We are all here together just as you wish

Love you, Momma!

Tall Tall Trees

Life’s journey has many perils as if upon the sea

But I am safe among the Tall Tall Trees

Without an anchor hurled where rage may deem

But I am safe among the Tall Tall Trees

Adventure; the struggle to survive; to be free

But I am safe among the Tall Tall Trees

Sea calms; sun rises; smell the fragrant breeze

But I am safe among the Tall Tall Trees

Ship in the harbor protected from all that might be

But I am safe among the Tall Tall Trees

Captain and crew yield greatness from their life upon the sea

But not me I am safe among the Tall Tall Trees

Queen Pink Hair

Disillusioned, rejected, abandoned by his own

The flamboyant and fierce cannot be condoned

He makes us look bad when he’s seen on TV

Why can’t he be a little more like me?

Well, he isn’t you and that’s ok

He’s just being himself; what more can I say

He is independent and wondrously so

He is creative and crafty and doesn’t go with the flow

For him to try and fit in; it is a futile task

When even the most mundane is attacked

We are all freaks; even you in the business suit

So don’t write him off as just some fruit

We are all family short, tall, thin and fat

We are perfectly imperfect and I say to that

You are my brothers and sisters; true?

God loves me and he loves you too

You are important don’t ever forget

Go and tell the world, you ain’t seen nothing yet

Everyone has value; it is obvious to me

Even the Queen with pink hair and butterfly wings

Mother May I

Mother, may I have a chance at life
Yes you may without thinking twice
Mother, may I have the tools to grow
Food, shelter and love you know

Yes you may I love you dear
I want you happy and healthy and full of cheer
Mother, may I find my love
Yes you may, it is fair to love

To have someone beside you each step of the way
To live; to love and grow more fond of each day
Happiness, health, love and good cheer
I wish it all to you; just don’t be queer

Mother, may I die this day
I can’t bear to tell you; Mom, I’m gay
Whirlwind of emotion caused me to run
But you loved me out loud – your son

Now I live my life without regret
Knowing now the precedent set
The bonds were tested and love found true
I love you Mom, I do I do

Man On The Corner

Man on the corner, homeless and tired
Angry and frustrated with circumstances dire
He is not here by choice as some would imply
He feels degraded and broken to beg, steal and lie

His eyes wander and search for his next victim
An outstretched hand and a quivering lip his crime
He is dirty and he smells of urine and wine
Where is the Church for the needy and poor?

They are in the sanctuary comfortable and warm
Praising and worshiping with glory divine
A God who is faithful and just to forgive
Those who do nothing choosing only to live

For they and few others are worthy you see
To receive God’s blessing and peace for eternity
Why is it that when he’s passed on the street
We turn our heads so our eyes do not meet

He is God’s child and we should welcome him home
And surround him with love so he’s not alone
Forgive and forget is what the Good Book says
Will he forgive me before I’m dead?

Home

Home to me is more than a place

Home provides comfort like a warm embrace

Home is in the city up high in a loft

Or in the country with a meadow to cross

Home can be on a ship out to sea

For those protecting us from harm can’t you see

Home is in a cabin way back in the woods

Filled with memories, some bad; most good

Home has a cat a dog or a bird

Home is when you listen you hear more than just words

Each of us finds comfort in different ways and forms

So forget all you’ve read forget the norms

Love is the glue that fortifies a home

Shoring the buttress for coming storm

Home is for shelter both inside and out

Keeping safe without a doubt

Echos

Echoes from the day when along the Drover’s Road

Cattle, hogs and goats were lead to market to be sold

The past is ever before me with images and vivid prose

Things have changed so much now so that’s how it goes

I can’t imagine a day when I have to walk to work

To have to wash myself in the creek and sleep in the dirt

I am not ashamed of the past I just don’t want to repeat

Meals were hard to come by and you had to kill to eat

The voices of my ancestors still echo in my ear

Work hard, keep your nose clean and never fail a tear

Save your money for a rainy day and give to those in need

Charity starts at home you know, we are all family

Can’t never could do nothing so always try your best

You won’t always get it right but in the end you pass the test

These words I will remember how could I forget?

If I listen real close, I can still hear them yet

Echoes from the day when along the Drover’s Road

Cattle, hogs and goats were lead to market to be sold