One Tree

Written April 12, 2009

My nothing is a little something to everybody else
And all I’ve got is myself

Never knew anyone cared
Been comfortable in my burning chair
Where no heat can touch me
‘Cause cold is how my heart was meant to be

But the rain can wash away the degrees
From which I feel the heat
‘Cause love is more powerful than the mind
When you’re trying to come back to life

If all but one tree were cut down
Could you hear it cry?
If you were the only one around
Would you mind?

‘Cause I’m too tired
I’m too sad
I’m too tired
To give a damn

White walls ain’t no way to escape my head
And the weight of my mind can’t be held up in bed
Not even your hands could lift it this long
Anyway, soon enough, you’ll all be gone

It’s just me, one tree
Can’t you see that it’s just me?
Not we, only me
Now leave it up to me

Photography by Johann Siemens, from Unsplash

If Every Hole Were Ever Filled

Written April 12, 2009

What happens when we’re not there?
It’s impossible to be everywhere
The unknown is never clear
Simply ’cause we’re never there

If every hole were ever filled
Never would a man be killed
Over competition, woman’s love
Or to control the stars above

If every hole were ever filled
Never would man have the will
To fulfill an endless, grandeur hope
Or glance the barrel of his scope

Endless love would turn us loveless
God would never look upon us
Change would come and never go
If we filled up every hole we’re ever shown

Given time, wholes would have holes again
Holes are never wholes in the end
Given time, wholes would have holes again
Holes are never wholes in the end

‘Cause a hammer and a tack
Ain’t gonna hold the wholes together
It’ll take some more than that
And some of our own weather

Or now, or now, or now, or now

Or now we can take a pretty picture
And shake it ‘round in the wind
Forget His pretty sister
Let’s just make pretend

Or now, or now, or now, or now

Or now we can float on by
And dance ‘round in the wind
Let the new sun rise
Let’s just make pretend

Photography by Rosario Nuñez, from Unsplash

From My Arms

Written April 12, 2009

There are lights
So many lights
On this star-lit night
Full of wondrous life

I’ll be right behind you
Everything will be okay
There’s no need to cry
Everything will be okay

It’s hard to see passed what’s falling
I don’t even wanna blink
Maybe it’ll help if I call on
Just one or two more drinks

There are lights
Too many lights
On this star-lit night
Full of wondrous life

What’s that supposed to mean
What are you trying to tell me
I can’t do this on my own
What are you trying to tell me

Don’t take the babies from my arms
She’s too little for me to let go, let go
Don’t take her to the cold
Don’t take her to the cold
He’s too little for me to let go, let go
Don’t take him to the cold
Don’t take him to the cold

These balloons are the hues of the blues in the night
The ocean of color brings wonder of life
The past and the present and the future of you
How I’ll never get to see the things that you’ll do

Photography by freestocks.org, from Unsplash

My Girl Next Door

Written March 18, 2009

To love for the first time
Is to have never loved at all
Every other heart you long for
Will never have you fall so hard

But then you grow up or so you think
And though I shouldn’t try
I wish you had never changed

Every time I flee passed your street to my own home
I’m reminded of what we used to be
When you were my girl next door

Because we’d be rolling on the ground
Taking pictures while I sang our song
And we’d test out your bed again
And sit outside as the sun set again

Those are the days I miss
When you were perfect
When we were perfect
When ignorance was bliss

But you’ve grown up or so you think
And though I shouldn’t try
I wish you had never changed

Because every time I flee passed your street to my own home
I’m reminded of what we used to be
When you were my girl next door

I walked to your house, you let me inside
I gave you my clothes because you were cold
We laid together for many hours
Just trying to guess what the other was thinking

I should have let that sink in
‘Cause now you’re gone, gone, gone
And I can’t seem to move on, on, on

Because every time I flee passed your street to my own home
I’m reminded of what we used to be
When you were my girl next door

Photography by Karl, from Unsplash

Listen

Written January 27, 2009

The hundreds of drops
With no intention of stopping
I didn’t listen

I walked up the stairs
With warnings to heed everywhere
I didn’t listen

If only I could have listened
I’d still have you, I’d have your trust
I’d see your smile
I’d get to hug you just a little while longer

The memories were fading
I couldn’t believe you were actually waiting
I should have listened

One of my greatest fears
Nearly brought on the tears
I should have listened

I swear to you that I’ll listen
Do I still have you? Do I have your trust?
Can I see your smile?
Can I hug you just a little while longer?

I didn’t know and I don’t remember
But that’s no excuse to be a sinner
It all washed away on a forgotten night
Why did I betray everything that was right?

Do I still have you? Do I have your trust?
Can I see your smile?
Can I hug you just a little while longer?

I can’t afford to lose you
Not after all we’ve been through
I can’t afford to let you go
Not after all we’ve come to know
I can’t afford to walk away
Not after all we’ve had to say

Photography by James Sutton, from Unsplash

Let Go

Written January 19, 2009

I’m squeezing tight with all my might
I don’t want to lose those memories
I’ve got to fight for what’s right
I just want to replace you, please

The waves are many
The waves are high
That’s not water on my face
It’s tears in my eyes

I’m letting go of all I’ve held on to
I’m letting go of these memories of you

You can have ’em, you can keep ’em
You can throw ’em away
But never again will they be part of my day

Someone needs to be where you left off
And put the pieces aside
Someone needs to be where you left off
And put the pieces aside

And when the new wave breaks onto the sand
I just wanna have the will to stand
On my own two feet
And walk this crowded beach

I’m letting go of all I’ve held on to
I’m letting go of these memories of you

You can have ’em, you can keep ’em
You can throw ’em away
But never again will they be part of my day

With all the sleepers around me now
I’ve got to wake them up some how
Get them on their feet
Walking this crowded beach with me

Let go, my friends
Let the suffering end
You’ve got to
You’ve got to
You’ve got to
You’ve got to let life begin

Photography by Bryan Minear, from Unsplash