Soapbox

She is hiding
just behind the front door,
peeking through the window panel:
pretending she is not watching him go,
pretending her heart is not in her throat
longing to fly out the door
and ride next to him on his journey.

He walks with a jaunty step
and cheerfully tosses his bag into the car,
never thinking to look back.

He crosses the city each day now
to work and to classes
negotiating highways
full of impatient commuters
who do not pause to consider
that his anonymous blue car
holds someone’s precious child.

He is seventeen,
newly independent and confident.
After weeks of being a working man
he puts the car in gear
without a worry on his mind.

But she still stands
just behind the front door
watching him leave
and remembers
letting go of a small hand
to let the child run ahead.

A love song for Ted

Beneath the late September skies the season is turning
The seeds were sewn, the crops have grown, autumn sounds the call.
A world in change surrounds us as the summer light is fading
Geese prepare to travel and a single leaf does fall.

The days are warm and bright but the crickets sing a warning
Of the hoarfrosts of November that will grip the closing year.
The time of green abundance is passing as we witness,
So the reds and golds of autumn are the colors we will wear.

Stand with me beneath the late September skies
Hold my hand as we watch the time go by.
I’ve loved you since spring was fair upon the land;
Be my love ‘til the snows begin to fly.

There is a certain blue sky that you only find in autumn,
An aching, evening beauty that must surely be God’s hand
Reaching down from heaven to gather in His harvest
And bring it safely home again when winter grips the land.

So we’re standing side by side as we watch our season turning
Summer lingers on our shoulders and November’s in our eyes
A golden leaf drifts by- I try to hold it for a moment
But you smile, so I release it to the bright September skies.

Stand with me beneath the late September skies
Hold my hand as we watch the time go by.
I’ve loved you since spring was fair upon the land;
Be my love ‘til the snows begin to fly.

Stand with me beneath the beautiful September skies
Hand in hand we have wandered where life led.
I’ve loved you since the bloom of spring was on the land;
Be my love still, for the best is still ahead.

September Skies MP3

So many people are inside this song- so much happiness and sorrow shared. This is for all of you.

Now the years and the miles are many between us
And the words between us, long gone.
Yet as the years pass I’ve remembered you fondly-
So many good thoughts I have never passed on.

Sweet thoughts of you kept like pennies in my pocket,
So many thank you’s I never got to say
For the ways, large and small, that you touched me and changed me,
Healed my heart or just brightened a lousy day.

So I wrote you this letter and filled it with pennies-
I hope that it reaches you, wherever you may be.
I know they’re not much, but they jingle with the music
Of all the good times you once shared with me.

Thank you for listening to my silly problems,
Thank you for laughing at all my stupid jokes,
For thinking my friendship was something worth having,
For hearing the pain that I never quite spoke.

Memories of you, pennies in my pocket
Ways you made me strong, or made me smile.
It’s time to spend those pennies, say "thank you" for the shoulder,
"Thank you" for the laughter, for loving me a while.

Now these are your pennies; you can put them in your pocket,
You can listen to them jingle or just hide them in a drawer,
Or you can send them back to me~ you know it really doesn’t matter-
These pennies are for you. Every day I make some more.

Put your arm around me
Hold me, cheek to cheek.
Take my hand in yours,
There’s no need to speak.

Happ’ly we will drift
Where the music wills
You step forward, I step back
And our senses thrill.

Bodies gently swaying
While Bing Crosby croons:
Fascinatin’ rhythm-
Fly me to the moon!

Far away times, long ago friends
Memories like diamonds in the sand
Days when life just glittered, new and bright
Laughter, low and kisses, slow
Dancing by the moon’s sweet glow
And music filled the air on warm spring nights.

The gentle wave of each day lifts me
And the winds of time, they drift me
Just a little further from that shore.
Been so busy with my journey
I just let it slip behind me
Till suddenly I can’t see it anymore.

My boat is safe and sturdy
My progress has been worthy
And my companion precious, sure and strong
But sometimes I look backward
Still hoping to hear laughter
Drifting on the warm night with a song.

I sailed away upon life’s journey
And I know there’s no returning
And so I’ll travel on while there is light.
So many days upon my journey
So far away, but now I’m yearning
For just a trace, or one dear face
For some old friend to dance with me tonight.