I heard a story
About a man and his wife,
He was about to die,
To give up this life.
When someone next to them
Heard the man say,
"I'll see you my darling
On the Milky Way."
He would wait for her there,
Though it be far,
And together they'd travel
To every known star.
And I thought how lucky
some people they be,
To have someone to die for,
And waiting to see.
Then I thought of my Mother,
Just before she had died,
And the Father who raised me,
Who looked in her eyes.
Now unable to speak,
And unable to see,
Though 76, looked 103.
A fragile lass she had become,
Dying at home with dignity done.
And He ten years younger,
A handsome man,
Tenderly stroking her hair
With his hand.
And the question he had was,
"Are you afraid?"
And she shook her head no
For her faith hadn't strayed.
And he said, "I didn't think so."
While admiring her,
When he asked her this question
Firsthand that I heard,

Ma: You said you were a little star, among the very many,
But through my eyes, your light by far,
Outshined each one by plenty.
You were the light that flickered, whenever I lost hope,
You gave to me this memory, to keep so I can cope.
To cope with all the trials, especially when down,
And I know each time I feel this way,
Your light will be around.
You said you were a little star, among the very many,
But through my eyes, your light by far,
Outshines each one by plenty.

The night my Mother died, there was a warm and gentle rain,
To wash her newborn spirit, and soothe away her pain.
She gave to me my first breath, and gave to me her last,
She was an Irish Mother, and she was until she passed.
She was an Irish Mother, the kind you read about,
Who live without a fear, but a faith that has no doubt.
She was an Irish Mother, a star amongst her kind,
When things would look mighty dim, the good in it she'd find.
She was an Irish Mother, and the good news I can shout,
Her soul went straight to heaven and she's someplace, 'round about.

There was an Irish wind, that caught an Irish wave.
They sailed on to America, where streets of gold were paved.
They left the green of Ireland, and solitude behind,
Said goodbye to mothers, for riches they could find.
The wind it was a wild one, her hair was sheer as light,
The wave was clear and crystal blue, its foam pure and white.
They reached the rocky shore when the country was still young,
They shared its time of spirit, and its coastlines to be run.
They truly had a time of it, when years they came to pass,
The wave lost all its luster, and the wind just gained in mass.
Those city streets (the streets of gold), were hard like Reagan's crown,
When laws were passed, just as fast, more freedoms just went down.
Greed was only part of it, for that there is no end,
But the spirit died along the way, as the willingness to bend.
Missed was the green of Ireland, and the simple ways in kind,
Like the beauty in her silence, and her dignity that shined.
The wind and wave they battered, like they never did before,
For gone was youth (its innocence) wrought by a devilish lure.
Their days would be spent in this anguish and the wind and wave would churn,
Each time they heard claps of thunder, 'twas their mothers that beg them return.
Yes, return to the green of Ireland, and the solitude of her sea,
The land that remains as enchanting, as those mothers who still cry for thee.

An old man once had told me, and his eyes they seem to know,
If you want to have some peace of mind, keep it simple as you go.
Then he said, here's a poem, keep it by your side,
And if you want your freedom, in these words you must abide.

Chorus
Simple lives the bird, master of the sky,
Barely flaps a wing, holds the record high.
Simple lives the bird, master of the sky,
Doing what comes naturally, naturally to fly.

I had a lot of wood to burn, I was thicker than a fir,
'Cause what the old man told me, was nothing but a blur.
I was taught to lie, cheat and steal, and cover up my sins,
And nothing really mattered, except that I must win.

Chorus

I lived to work, not work to live, with nothing more to show
I guess I forgot what the old man said, keep it simple as you go.

I'm working so much less now, enjoying it so much more,
I got rid of all the useless strife, I truly did endure,
And I really just don't give a damn if I'm a loner or I'm poor,
The old man's poem changed my life, and this is what I'm striving for.

Chorus

City halls, prison walls, dragons on the roof,
Magic man, if you can, make them all go poof.
All the haze, let it raise, show us what can be
Magic man, if you can, give us eyes to see.
Jealousy, selfishness, stuff we do not need
Magic man, if you can, take away the greed.
Silly wars, stupid laws, dragons on the roof,
Magic man, if you can, make them all go poof.
Magic man, oh magic man, mix a new solution
One that ends all poverty, and takes away pollution.
Foolish hates, steel gates, dragons on the roof,
Magic man, if you can, make them all go poof.
Magic man, if you can, see what you can do
And when I wake, I hope and pray, that all I ask comes true.

I wish I was a wishing well
So very rich you'd be,
For if I was a wishing well
I'd grant each wish to thee.
And if I was a wishing well,
The sun would always shine,
And all of sorrow's sadness
No place before you find.

But I am not a wishing well
I am only me,
Wishing for some wishes
For you that I'd give free.
But sometimes that's enough
and all that one can do,
and so I'll go on wishing
And wish this wish comes true.

I'm tired of all the fixin'
And the messin' with the mixin'
Trying to improve the recipe.
You see on closer introspection,
I've been messin' with perfection
And things don't need to change,
It's only me.

Chorus
Oh, no, things don't need to change.
Oh, God, things don't need to change.
What will I do, if things don't need to change,
When the only thing that needs to change is me.

Now the reason for the friction,
Is I have this one addiction,
That wants to change everything I see.
But I'm tired of all the fixin'
And the messin' with the mixin'
'Cause I can't improve a perfect recipe.

Chorus

I took the caffeine out of coffee, the sugar out of ice cream,
The spices out of pizza and some cheese.
Then I went to regulatin', like smokin' and spectatin',
Then almost passed a law that said no one could sneeze.

Chorus

Well, it's me and my spinach, miso and rice,
A yellow tomato, now isn't that nice.
A flower at my table, with a wonderful view,
But I'd rather be sharing a meatloaf with you.
I'm feeling the blues, am I setting the stage?
I'm here all alone, while coming of age.
The refrigerator hums, a God-lonely sound,
'Cause we'd both rather have your meatloaf around.
Ice cream and candy, sausages and beer,
Pork on the table, dripping in fear.
Greasy old french fries, talk full of sin,
Sounds good to me, than the health that I'm in.
No more Ginsberg or Trungpa, Nietzsche or Blake,
I'll keep our talk simple, the poets forsake.
No Shakespeare or Joyce, Lawrence or Keats,
And I promise that I won't care what I eat.
I'll tune into TV, I'll take up a sport,
I'll even fit in, my values abort.
I'll buy a new car, every two years,
To hell with the payments, at least you'll be here.
I'll work extra hard, go back to school,
Follow the fads, obey all the rules.
I'll salute the flag, attend Sunday mass,
I'll even wear spandex, to show off my ass.
I'll go to aerobics, sit at the bar,
Talk about the old days, when I was a star.
I'll become a Republican, get super rich,
Go to executions, even pull the switch.
I'll be a hero, join the National Guard,
Get a killer dog, clean its shit - I mean poop - in the yard.
I really don't care, I'll learn how to take,
Although it sounds boring, I'll just be a fake.
We'll go to parties every Saturday night,
I'll paste on a smile, like everything is all right.
I'll talk about things, from my point of view,
And of course my next car, the BMW.
Yes, ice cream and candy, sausages and beer,
Pork on the table, dripping in fear.
Greasy old french fries, talk full of sin,
Sounds good to me? Well, I better think this again.

I'm so in love,
I just can't stand it.
Day and night,
I feel this way.
I'm so in love,
but there is a bandit.
And the bandit stole,
again one more day.

An evening butterfly,
came to my window.
A nightingale,
was singing her song.
The songs were sad,
for her love was rejected.
And my heart just burned,
feeling love so strong.

I'm so in love,
I just can't stand it.
Day and night,
I feel this way.
I'm so in love,
but there is a bandit.
And the bandit stole,
again one more day.

A firefly,
came to my window.
(later that night
outside my home)
I laid down to sleep,
with no one beside me.
And I thought about the nightingale,
and being alone.

I'm so in love,
I just can't stand it.
Day and night,
I feel this way.
I'm so in love,
but there is a bandit.
And the bandit stole,
again one more day.

A hummingbird
came to my window.
It brought a tear,
to this eye of mine.
A hummingbird
came to my window.
As I felt my love,
Running out of time.

I'm so in love,
I just can't stand it.
Day and night,
I feel this way.
I'm so in love,
but there is a bandit.
And the bandit stole,
again one more day.

'Tis the tale of two loves who had parted their ways,
one went to sea, while the other would stay,
and when she returned, they had this to say,
and this is their story, on that homecoming day.
"Where have you been lass? Where have you been?
'Cause your sails look torn, a bit ragged and thin.
Did you find what you went for? Would you do it again?
'Cause your riggin' looks worn lass, as the vessel you're in."
And she said, "You know why I left, you know why I left,
'Twas the thing to do, and I've go no regret.
'Cause the thoughts that I had, inside that I kept,
I could feel them each morning, and every night as they wept.
Now I caught the waves, few days out at sea,
And the wind it blew, just as hard as could be,
And I prayed and I cursed, as I cried out for thee,
And when it turned calm, I knew I was free.
Yes my sails they were torn, a bit ragged and thin,
And my riggin' was worn, as the vessel I'm in,
But my soul came alive, I can feel it again,
And that's why I left, and where I have been.
I was looking for me, feeling so lost,
And was willing to chance it, no matter the cost,
'Cause if I had stayed, I would not have crossed,
But sank to the bottom, to be covered with moss.
Now my sails will mend, and so will its mast,
And the vessel I'm in will make its way back,
And I'm glad that you cared, and I'm glad that you asked,
'Cause I know that I love you , and I am your lass."

And when she was through, a smile filled his eyes,
He was glad she was back, and her soul had revived.
And they stared for a time, to let the silence just pass,
When he finally said, "Welcome home again lass."
Then he added, "And while you were gone, I wanted to run,
To chase you down, for what I thought I had done.
But the truth of it is, my soul was as lost,
And I had to stay back, 'til this devil was tossed.
And I ranted and raved, and I fought with desire,
And I felt the burn, of a furious fire.
And the dragon I clung to rode me on higher,
As I swung with my sword, 'til the flame did retire.
Now I'm glad that you went, and I'm glad that I stayed,
For our lives will be different, as we are this day.
For we answered the call, that woke us the same,
That came from our souls, to each other by name.
So here we are, together at last,
And I don't think it matters, whatever will pass,
'Cause I see it now, so clear as fine glass,
That this love is true, my beautiful lass."

In the land of CHA LOO LEE
Where the mountains touch the sky,
There lives the rarest flower,
And if seen, one never dies.

It lives deep inside a cave,
Far away from sight.
There among crystals,
That shimmer in its light.

It is said,
When God made the earth,
And the future He had seen,
He was saddened by what He saw,
When this flower turned to green.

And when, God, He saw this,
He was taken by its love.
And so He placed it in this cave
On this mountain high above.

Then He said, "My special flower
You are the purest green,"
And so He gave this flower
A pair of eyes to stand between.

And then, with a gentle touch,
Each petal He pulled down.
For NEVER, would they ever close,
Because of what they found.

"And with it some magic
And the power to heal..."
Then He kissed it
With His own sweet lips,
To place His Sacred Seal.

Now for those who want to go,
(And not just to see)
In search of this chosen flower,
For all of its beauty.

They themselves must be
Of the courageous kind.
With open eyes, and opened hearts,
And a willingness to shine.

But first one must meet
The green eyes of Her kin.
For through their eyes,
It is known, who's ready to begin.

For they hold the power,
The magic and the key.
For one to find that secret path,
To the cave in CHA LOO LEE.

In the evening,
When the moon comes up,
From behind the sycamores,
And the fairies dance,
Just above the fields,
To the sounds of the outdoors.

You can see them twirl,
And spin around.
and they gladly take encores.
In the evening,
When the moon comes up,
From behind the sycamores.

Fairies dance, twirl and spin,
Circling 'round the trees.
Fairies dance with their kin,
An evening summer breeze.

You can see them there
If you look real hard
With a heart that's really pure.
In the evening,
When the moon comes up,
From behind the sycamores.

The moon, the stars,
The nighttime shades,
The peepers in the woods.
The smell of flowers
That kiss the air,
From dreams under their hoods.

Fairies dance, twirl and spin,
Having done their daily chores.
In the evening,
When the moon comes up,
From behind the sycamores.

There's a garden over there.
Can you see it?
With a child in her mothers' arms.
They are walking down a path,
with rainbowed flowers.
Where tears are not allowed to
touch the eyes.

There's a garden over there.
Can you see it?
Look at the river passing through.
It's carrying lily pads in clusters.
With frogs madly waving,
proud to be the crew.

There's a garden over there.
Can you see it?
Look at the man who cares.
He's petting the animals who love him,
While birds keep circling in air.

There's a garden over there.
Can you see it?
Look what's coming in view.
Those people, look, they are smiling,
and one has a face, just like
YOU...Can you see it?

This little boy would talk to God
Just like he would a friend.
He tried and tried, day after day
Until he was at end.

"Hey Mom," he said, "I talk to God."
(He stood 'bout to her hips.)
When she inquired, "What does He say?"
He showed her buttoned lips.

"How come," he said, "I talk and talk
And he never says a thing?
All I get from God...," he stopped,
Came close to her to cling.

She didn't have an answer.
Yes, it caught her by surprise.
But soon there came this twinkle
As it does from mothers' eyes...

Then she herself remembered,
This question she once had -
And how it, too, confused her
And feeling just as bad.

"You talked to God this morning
And He didn't say a word?
I think you came to ask this
So God now could be heard."

"We all must learn to listen."
Then she said without a blink
"God speaks when we are puzzled
And we don't know what to think."

"When we talk to God -
That's praying
And He listens very well.
Then He brings together people
Just like now so I might tell
That we know
He gives us answers.
This is how it's meant to be.
Because, my son,
These words He gave.
He spoke to you through me."

Bring me all your troubles,
Let me take them for awhile.
Let me stand between the heartaches,
The tears that took your smile.
Let me have each tear that fell,
When alone that wouldn't dry.
Let me fix your broken wing,
For that day that you will fly.
Oh the sun will shine tomorrow,
And those clouds will disappear,
And the joy that you felt yesterday,
Will whisper in your ear.
Just bring me all your troubles,
Like the ones you keep inside.
Let me fix your broken wing,
So the wind, your WINGS can ride.

DO YOU KNOW I'm the one who loves you?
Do you know, that I find you so rare?
Do you know, that you are my angel?
Do you know, that I always will care?
And during times when you stumble through darkness,
Or take your ship through a turbulent sea,
There is a light that never stops burning,
That shines for you from inside of me.
I know the pain, each one of your sorrows,
I know the fear right down to the last.
I know the joy and laughter that follows,
I am the sail attached to your mast.
You and I, we will share it together,
With the wind that touches our face.
You and I will sail every weather,
As we touch every known place.
Do you know, I'm the one who loves you?
Do you know, that I find you so rare?
Do you know, that you are my angel?
And for you, I will always be there.

Pick me! Pick me! said the Tree,
Peeking from the pile.
Pick me, pick me, and you will see,
I will make you smile.

I didn't want to leave my home,
The forest that I knew,
But they took me with
Some friends of mine,
And there was nothing we could do.

They strapped us in a bundle,
Then threw us on a truck,
And I heard one fella say,
"I think we've had good luck."

Well, I really didn't think so,
My arms were killing me
And I was feeling rather nauseous,
And Gee I had to pee.

It seems we drove forever,
When day turned into night,
Then I heard, "Hey it's the city,"
And everywhere were lights.

I heard about this time of year,
I think from my first cousin.
When folks take us into their homes,
And do all sorts of fussin'.

Pick me! Pick me! said the Tree,
Hidden in the pile.
Pick me, pick me, and you will see,
I will make you smile.

Now I know I'm rather short,
But I'm full around the middle,
And I know I'll make you smile,
And your friends to surely giggle.

Pick me! Pick me! said the Tree,
Peeking from the pile.
Pick me, pick me so I can feel,
Some purpose and worthwhile.

When we arrived they sized us up,
Favoring the tall.
So I ended up in the back,
Lost amongst them all.

For several days I stayed like this,
While people passed me by.
Old folks, young folks, children too,
No matter how I'd try.

Then it came the last day,
And time was running out,
And no one heard my anxious pleas,
But still I wouldn't doubt.

Then every tree was gone,
And I was left alone.
When snow began to fall,
and I didn't have a home.

Everything turned quiet
Only thoughts were left,
And I felt myself slipping,
On snow that was still wet.

Then laying on the ground,
Wondering what to do,
From high up above me,
A light came shining through.

It was making circles, way up over head,
And, although the snow
Was falling hard
I could see it was a sled.

They kept on getting closer,
Closer to the ground,
And then I saw this man,
With a white beard looking down.

His eyes they had this sparkle
that made my needles glow,
And I guessed it was
The midnight hour,
And I wished that I could go.

But then they disappeared,
Where I wasn't sure,
And everything was dark,
Much darker than before.

Pick me! Pick me!
My memory played,
Thinking of the pile.
Pick me, pick me, and you will see,
I will make you smile.

I don't know when it happened,
'Cause I'd fallen fast asleep.
But I felt something nudge me,
That was warm and full of heat.

I slowly came around,
Trying now to see,
And what I saw were Reindeer,
Breathing over me.

Next I saw that man,
A smile lit up his face,
And he said, "I heard you calling,
From a very far off place."

"And I'm glad that I found you,"
(As he reached down with his hand)
'Cause, he said,
"I have a special place
Where I want you to stand."

His touch made me tingle,
When he raised me off the ground,
And his reindeer all had glassy eyes,
When on my head he placed a crown.

Everyone was smiling,
When he put me on the sleigh,
Right above the presents,
I was on display.

The reindeer tossed their heads,
Approving His selection.
When through our tears
Now turned to ice,
I saw my own reflection.

I was strung with colored lights
No two were the same,
and on the crown He placed above me,
Was a star that was a flame.

Then he said, "Tree we love you,
And now everyone else will see,
The reason that I put you there,
Is you have such a middle as me."

Then he laughed and we all got excited,
And I felt my middle just sway,
When he said, "OK everybody,
'Cause it's time,
Up Up and away."

There's a promise straight ahead, don't you know,
Don't you know?
There's a promise straight ahead, don't you know,
Don't you know?
There's a promise straight ahead, where the hungry will be fed,
With so much love it just overflows.

Come on and hop on, Come on and hop on,
Don't worry if you have to stand,
Come on and hop on, Come on and hop on,
Cause we're going to the promised land.

We're heading to the land where it is free, It is free!
We're heading to the land where it is free, It is free!
We're heading to the land that God himself has planned,
And He's here today calling you and me.

Come on and hop on, Come on and hop on,
Don't worry if you have to stand.
Come on and hop on, Come on and hop on,
Cause we're going to the promised land.

Hop on, come on and hop on,
There's a promise straight ahead we're going to find.
So leave that baggage you've been carrying,
Leave it all behind, 'cause we're heading to that place,
Where the sun always shines.

Come on and hop on, Come on and hop on,
Don't worry if you have to stand,
Come on and hop on, come on and hop on,
Cause we're heading to the promised land.

How do you plant the corn?
How do you fish the streams?
How do you ride your horse?
How do you stitch your seams?
How do you reach the stars?
How do you travel so far?
How do you know these things?
How do you get your wings?

Chorus
How? It's a POW WOW
WE listen now,
then do the
HOW HOW HOW HOW.

How do you sow your seeds?
How do you fill your needs?
How do you string your beads?
How do you stop what bleeds?
How do you sing your song?
How do you stay so strong?
How do you let it be?
How do you live so free?

Chorus

How do you give your heart?
How do you even start?
How do you fix your stare?
How do you see what's there?
How do you paint with life?
How do you feel its worth?
How do you plant the corn?
How do you love this earth?

Chorus

How do you heal the sick?
How do you make it stick?
How do you face the Sun?
How do you know you're One?
How do you deal with doubt?
How do you go without?
How do you rise up high?
How do you touch the sky?

Chorus

Listen to the wind when it blows outside,
Listen to the birds that go flying by,
Listen to the baby when the baby cries,
Listen just listen.

Listen to the wave when it breaks on land,
Listen to the ground upon where you stand,
Listen to your heart because it understands,
Listen just listen.

Can you hear can you see,
It's not some future destiny,
It's in the moon circling free.
Listen just listen.

Listen to the sound when a choir sings,
Listen to the life that's in everything,
Listen with an ear to this offering!
Listen just listen.

Listen to the silence that is so alive!
Listen for the one who now waits inside,
Listen and know that it does survive,
Listen just listen.

Can you hear can you see,
It's not some future destiny
It's in the moon circling free.
Listen just listen.

Listen to the rain when it's falling down,
The forest that speaks
With those on the ground,
Listen for yourself in all that's around,
Listen just listen.

Listen to the ice when it starts to melt,
A Fire that cracks how loud it shouts,
Listen to your breath going in and out,
Listen just listen.

Can you hear can you see
It's not some future destiny
It's in the moon circling free.
Listen just listen.

In summer's soft velvet dress,
I felt its flame that so impressed,
To carry me, for so I kept,
The sweetness of her every breath.
And when I walk, with her I bring,
And when I sleep, I hear her sing,
And when I wake, I feel her wings..
And so for her, this offering.

She was here just this morning when the sun came up,
And I knew it was her, I could tell by her touch.
She came into the room like a breath of fresh air,
Yes I knew it was her, I knew she was there.
I sat up in bed, and drew a faint smile,
And I felt my self blush, as I did when a child.
When the curtain it moved by the window she came,
And I felt her beside me when she whispered my name.
And she touched me again and again,
With those feelings that just don't pretend.
Yes she touched me again and again,
And I knew it was her, by the wind.

I just love being loved by Lula Belle,
Cause the memory she leaves doesn't fade,
And I know when I'm there with Lula Belle,
Everything that I feel is OK.
She's like the leaf that quivers from the slightest touch,
The moon that falls in the bay.
She's the one that we all dream about,
But not the kind who will ever stay.
Lula Belle is that sparkle that jumps around in the sea,
Lula Belle is the fragrant one, the flower that enrages the bee.
I just love being loved by Lula Belle,
And the memories she leaves with me.
But she's not the kind who will ever stay,
But I love her for being
So free.

2000 years let's celebrate,
2000 years we're finally twenty-one.
2000 years let's integrate,
With 7 billion cheers,
That our teenage years are done.

The fish rose from the water, to give birth high on land,
This sign of Capricorn, suggests we too expand.
Let's put away those childish things put behind our fears,
Let's celebrate this entry, with 7 billion cheers.

Our teenage years are done Mom,
Our teenage years are done.
We finally reach adulthood,
Our world is twenty-one.

2000 years let's penetrate,
2000 years this year that's finally come,
2000 years let's dedicate,
Remembering how we got here,
Thanking everyone.
We've been through adolescence, been through puberty,
I'm sure we'll use our senses in this century.

It's time to use our heads, connecting with our hearts,
Stop punishing each other, might be the place to start.
Let's put away our differences, though different let us be,
Like leaves that have their place, though all from the same tree.

Our teenage years are done Mom,
Our teenage years are done.
We finally reached adulthood,
Our world is twenty-one.