week 652 ~ there comes a day the stars align

there comes a day the stars align
the sun shines down and you can smile
feel the breeze on your face meanwhile
you keep looking for any sign
to help convince you the world’s fine
breathe deeply step outside and laugh
as gloom piles up this photograph
of carefree love will carry you
awhile their dreams could make it through
and joy could be your epitaph

week 650 ~ second shot

second shot
worry’s done
it’s been got
second shot
feels a lot
like I won
second shot
worry’s done

week 488 ~ in the face of

in the face of
despair we sing
brandishing love
in the face of
chaos above
we’ve joy to bring
in the face of
despair we sing

week 459 ~ solemnity of sacred space

solemnity of sacred space
cool against the swirl of commerce
forcing thoughts to pause we immerse
ourselves honor this ancient place
of prayer and hope the fame we chase
fades we breathe and can simply be
for a moment here lost but free
to reflect allow gratitude
to fill us and in solitude
acknowledge the joy of beauty

week 453 ~ like an old-fashioned photograph

like an old-fashioned photograph
family faded by sunlight
we gather briefly here despite
distances for a snapshot laugh
-ing hoping to choreograph
the automatic timer on
the camera to capture joy drawn
on our faces salt from the sea
still on our lips reality
fusing us in time passing gone

week 450 ~ there is a scent of green in the air

there is a scent of green in the air
breathe in and exhale leaving flowers
as you pass they bloom the weather’s fair
there is a scent of green in the air
a smile pauses to look lingers there
while joy transforms minutes to hours
there is a scent of green in the air
breathe in and exhale leaving flowers

week 438 ~ friends rescue us

friends rescue us
when we lack joy
without much fuss
friends rescue us
superfluous
angst to destroy
friends rescue us
when we need joy

week 415 ~ when the fat lady finally does sing

when the fat lady finally does sing
will you be ready for what happens next
or lost in a maze of doubts lingering
be derailed by inattention perplexed
to find too few optimistic choices
looking ahead to the distant side of
now past your option to turn back voices
of others muddle the air breathe let love
place a cool towel on your forehead and dream
of a future without regret you can
find a way through even when the odds seem
stacked against winning the hard race you ran
hear her song know that possibilities
abound tilt your face sunward feel the breeze

week 399 ~ bring on the noise

bring on the noise
let the fun in
so many toys
bring on the noise
two little boys
one happy din
bring on the noise
let the fun in

week 356 ~ when there is a dream to carry

when there is a dream to carry
I hope that I will do my share
to move joy around simply care
enough to let the right things be
change some and watch the rest run free
recognizing there’s a new way
to move ahead with grace to stay
bound by indecision is death
so I pause just to draw a breath
then grab my mandolin and play