It took 24 hours but I remembered my Xanga user name and password eventually. Things sure look different around here. Now I’m going to have to figure everything out all over again.
Hello to anyone that might still be around from 2005 and 2006 when I actively Xanga-ed the last time.
Well folks, it is time for a change. We are moving from North Palm Beach, Florida to Spokane, Washington. My family lives out there and hopefully I will be able to finally find a job after a very lengthy period of unemployment. To start with, we will be living across the state border in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for a while until we get more permanently settled. Please help us out and keep your fingers crossed for us that everything goes smoothly and that the future will look brighter on the other side of this transition. Thanks and have a great day!
Since we have lived in the deep south for about 5 years now, we are obviously left with some horrifying, weighty questions. Any input on the following would be greatly appreciated! Does anyone know how long it takes to get phrases like “y’all” and “all y’all’s” back out of one’s vocabulary? Can one get the southern influence exorcised from one’s psyche? How quickly does one’s IQ recover? How long does it take before “urges” relating and pertaining to unnatural acts with water fowl and Everglade reptiles begin to fade? Please help!
Here are some really simple lyrics to a really simple song I concocted for the various kids in my life. It is my first attempt at a vocal track… ever. Maybe my last? The link to the song, in mp3 format, is below the lyrics. I think it is kind of fun!
Swamp Jazz
There was an alligator His name was Mighty Max And everywhere he went He left his mighty tracks He cruised around the swamp All day and every night Looking for somethin’ tasty Things that he could bite Well, Max like looking good In his alligator leather He wore it quite exclusively Out in any weather Didn’t need sun glasses When he walked onto the scene His teeth were big an pointy He was always getting mean Yes, he liked layin’ low He liked stayin’ cool He liked playin’ bass He liked to sing the blues Struttin’ yeah Oh yeah Layin’ low And staying cool Mighty Max He’s the man He played bass He sang the blues Swamp Jazz, smokin’ Always on his mind Swamp Jazz That certain bump and grind Swamp Jazz | All the lady gators loved him Watched him when he walked They sighed and heaved and fainted When they heard the way he talked He knew just how to treat ‘em ‘Cause he had all the moves And when it came to dancing He knew all the latest grooves All his friends thought him the greatest The rest looked on in fear They all made him a space Whenever he’d draw near He always had the plan He was the leader of the swamp Anyone that crossed him Would experience his chomp But he liked being mellow Sitting in the shade And checking out the ladies They all made the grade He like layin’ low He liked stayin’ cool He liked lookin’ good Swamp Jazz Struttin’ yeah Stayin’ mellow Everything’s all right With Swamp Jazz It’s smokin’ Always on his mind Swamp Jazz That certain bump and grind Swamp Jazz |
Five Years in the Desert
I’ve walked five years
In sand and wind
Without a drop to drink
Although it’s been there
Everywhere
Dearest fallback friend
My path was long
And cumbersome
Ungainly at its best
Over hills too steep
and valleys filled
with ever parching heat
Past countless bones
And haunting cries
Of those who’d lost their way
Or looked too long
Into the wells
Inviting all to stay
I’ve found a guide
To help my through
The many troubled times
I’ve found a way
To live each day
No different from the rest
And at the dawning
Of this new year
I hope to stay the course
My Salvation
A few years ago I climbed atop a horse
A horse that saved my very life
All was new and wonderful
I, full of enthusiasm
We rode together constantly
Without gaps in time and distance
But life changed, rearranged
I rode less frequently
Rides became shorter
Fondness slowly faded
Other priorities arrived
Yet still I rode…
From time to time
Someday soon, I fear
I’ll fall from the saddle
(Lacking practice, I’m out of shape)
Landing again upon the ground
My life in my own hands
Instead of riding faithfully
Will I have the courage
To try to ride again
The very horse that saved me
When I had nothing left to loose
And my whole life to gain?
Perhaps its time for me to ride…
Before it is too late
Frenzied Hormone driven Clicking The grooves Worn deep Both side to side And up and down In the ball Where evidence That left no doubt About the horrifying things That had transpired The raw emotional force That had been transmitted Through that poor Mistreated computer mouse The picture’s clear No forensics needed Obsession etched deep Into the creases On her troubled brow Neurosis dripping From ragged hair She raced through The blog trail Chasing comments: What had he said About her? About us? What was he saying To this one And that one And especially That other one With the jaunty chest And had they replied? | Emotional tension Grew to breaking Like a high wire transformer Struck by lightning Jealousy and anger overwhelmed Her tender nervous circuits She raged like a Tormented beast Screamed lungfulls Of pure hate When suddenly… Ring… ring… ring… “Hello” “Hey you, I missed you today How’s everything going” “Ok I guess” As suddenly as it came It dissipated A cloud of nothingness Replaced by little words Of love and affection All that remained Was the abuse inflicted on An innocent mouse “Do you want anything special For dinner tonight, dear?” |
Miles Away Another long, lonely night 400 miles from you Pullin’ out of Six hours overdue Thinkin’ of you all the way I’ll spend the night in With whiskey to take it all away Another long and lonely night 700 miles away from you Snow as cold as your heart had grown In that mountain pass the tears broke through Well, I drove 700 miles today I was thinking of you all the way Felt When I arrived at the Inyokern Café Another long, lonely desert night Since you went on your way Things have changed but I remain And the whiskey takes it all away |
Truth’s Shadow Between what we do And what we say It lurks Hidden And carefully guarded Between what we are And what we aspire to be Its gleaming eye Stares back hard As we desperately look away Between what is And what isn’t Desire Retells the tale Through silence, elaboration and lies Between now And then Is woven a frightening tangle We don’t want to face Longing for a miracle in its place | Between hither And yon We sit Unwilling to move Yet praying for transition Between our fisheye lens And the camera eye Life is deformed Dividing a colorful image From a bleak photo with calculating eyes Between what I am And what will be Lies my truth What I must face Lest I stagnate Accepting Its shadow Misconceptions Misdirection and Its fallacies As my destination My twisted righteous verity To avoid knowing What I really am |
New Found Thunder
Your Memory has faded In the light and shadow Of new experiences Both wondrous And tragic
Although years have passed Your face was always Crisp And came readily to mind In the joys and sorrows Of others In the lonely and quiet times When I felt regret Guilt and shame And worthless
The smell of your hair The little nervous motions Your smile So full of mischief The full force Of your concentration And angry glare Remain a ghost A potent portent And a gloomy cage A fate And a cruel misfortune In a single image And a thousand Details | But now your details Fade and blur As another face Another name And another time Wander through my history It is another me Making these experiences Taking these steps Looking into new eyes Chancing another mystery Imagining a new future Discovering new hope It is a cautious new heart Stirring for the first time After such a long Seemingly endless Foregone conclusion
Is this poetry? No Just a realization A simple fact I know But cannot always feel Like the speed of light Or the presence of God A thing without relative measure Yet one thing is certain This one thing I feel Today my heart beats
Today my heart beats With a thunder
And today my day ends With a smile |
