Mountains and Valleys

Hiked down that valley

to get my loather's fill.

Every mountain that I thought I climbed

was a dusty prairie hill.

Hiked down that valley 

cause direction's what I need

but the hunger I was running from

was free from glutton's greed.

Hiked down that valley

but I hiked back up again.

I may go down another time 

but this time I take my friends.

--

State fair grounds with cowboy clowns

and New Orleans date nights.

Lowest lows and highest highs

to share our loves and frights.

Is it a wayward mountain or dusty desert hill?

Will this journey last forever or until we get our fill?

--

Hiked up that mountain

to try to reach its peak.

I found so much along the way 

but not what I would think.

Hiked up that mountain

to find a lovesick cure

and when I reached the final summit,

the view was all obscured.

Hiked up that mountain 

but came back down again.

Though at the base I smiled to see

I was surrounded by my friends.

--

Crowded bars and camper cars

and sleepy Texas nights. 

Lowest lows and highest highs

To share our loves and frights.

Is it a wayward mountain or dusty desert hill?

Will this journey last forever or until we get our fill?

--

It's a journey through the things we do 

to find out what we thought we knew.

So why must we all tread the path alone?

We learn and grow and we strive to know

the final plot of every show

and we're all just out here hiking like we hadn't got a clue.

--

Just kept on hiking

but learned to love the trails.

There's beauty in the sun that shines

still beauty in the hail.

Just kept on hiking

with hikers by my side.

When we laid it out, we all saw

there was ne'er a thing to hide.

Just kept on hiking

to see the sights to see.

And I dodged those wretched valleys,

turns out my mountain's here with me.

--

Summit views to harvest moons

till our very last day light.

Our lowest lows and highest highs,

to share our loves and frights.

Is it a wayward mountain or dusty desert hill?

Will this journey last forever or until we get our fill?

Moth at the Light

Though I knew it was wrong, this fight I'd not fight. 

Flocking back to old thoughts: a moth at the light.

Unquestioning regrets in a questionable state

Restless and confused on the off-course of my fate.

Suddenly spinning, as a plane plummets down

Mute as a mime with the frown of a clown.

A years-old scab to be pick pick pick picked

symptoms surrounding the still uncured sick.

Though I knew it was wrong, this fight I'd not fight. 

Flocking back to old thoughts: a moth at the light.

Both Ways

When I was your age I walked to school - uphill, both ways.

When it snowed I was cold,

when it rained I was wet.

when the sun was out we were soaked in sweat.

When I was your age you had to talk to folks - really talk, and listen too.

There wasn't "awkward",

no tech to hide in.

When your elders spoke you made sure to listen.

When I was your age I met my love - courted and married, just so.

No singles event,

no internet sites.

You just got out and found what's right.

When I was your age we went off to war - for God, for country.

We were strong over there,

we were strong over here

After such dark skies, you know what's clear.

When I was young I struggled and fought - I had ups, I had ups!

But I had downs too,

and I made my way.

Maybe it's unclear what I'm trying to say

What I'm trying and trying really to say - to be frank, to be more clear,

is my life has been hard

yours is going to be too.

But if I've made it this far, so can you.

The Quarantine Revolt

How cruel our lives have turned to be

when we're trapped inside when we long to be free.

It's not like there are folks who've died,

it won't be me, so the news has implied!

I have no cough, no fever, or ache

so let me go out for my goodness sake.

I'll run through the streets and hug all my friends

and I'll travel the world from its tips to its ends.

I'll swim in the ocean and swing from the trees,

I'll smell every flower and I'll save all the bees.

I'll go to more concerts and I'll see Broadway shows

but a leaf in the wind, I'll go where it blows.

No I won't be kept from living my life

I won't live in this fear, or sorrow, or strife.

I'll see every wonder that's ever been made;

the bill for this freedom once sanguinely paid.

and finally I'll return knowing I'm wild and free,

having seen every sight there was ever to see.

I'd met every person there's ever to meet

I'd swam in the oceans and ran the streets.

when I finally decide that home's where I'll be

I'll find the only one living is the virus and me.

Her eyes always glistened in the moonlight,
then again,
so does dog shit.

Uncorked

My thought were racing like the cars around,
a torrent of terrors though it made not a sound.

Surrounded by traffic but alone in the rush
every memory, emotion, each scar and each blush.

I sat in exile of leather and steel
unsure of myself and how I should feel.

Then in a moment born without thought,
I bubbled and burst like a pistol just shot.

I let out a yell
more, really, a yelp:
a sorry expression of the way that I felt.

and then like a bolt they scorched and they singed
an electric compulsion of screams that I binged.

They built ever louder as it came pouring out
each burden was dropped with each louder shout.

Till finally I yelled with all of my fight
like a warrior wailing with all of his might!

and when it was done
I felt empty inside.
It had all been released,
 never longer to hide.

I was free from the fear,  the sorrow, and shame

like a gray swollen cloud finally free to drop rain.

And as the cracked, broken pavement slowly got wetter

I discovered, above all, that I finally felt better.