I danced beside blue oceans 
dangling feet in its calmest tides
but then the wind marched in
a menace
so I crossed the line
yea I’m off maritime 
and I’m prone to drift on salty breezes 
gently waving like I’m with the sea
so far away from me 
and 

Some things aren’t meant to be 
and the oceans are getting bluer 
getting rough and tasting bitter
and that reminds me 
that the sea is a part of me 
maybe I could part the sea 
like its been parting me
yea
I crossed the line 
yea
and I’m off maritime 
well 

I’m no sailor 
could be mermaid could be reef
cause that’s the sea in me
and I’m no killer I’m no thief
still getting all that grief
just a salty sea
bathe us in its blue 
yea
I crossed that line 





#climatecrisis

Off Maritime

Well I’ve had some sunny days and it’s been fun
but when I woke up this morning and I raised up the shade
it was a pink sky forewarning
bad times are headed my way 

Should I run 
Should I hide
Lock the door and stay inside and 
every time I look that sun gets higher
and that sky
turns brighter 
and 

It’s a holy ball of fire streaming death rays and golden spires
bathed in the rouge of a painted lady
wears all her desire
and 

I’ve had days of constant struggle 
like I’m living in the bowels of a dead end puzzle 
so I’m happy for the settling hue
of a sun who’s time is due
give me a pink sky tonight 
a lick of rose
a peaceful sight 

Well I’ve had some sunny days and it’s been fun
but when I woke up this morning and I raised up the shade
it was a pink sky forewarning
bad times are headed my way

Wears Her Desire

I'm never gettin over
all the time I've been oppressed
and the longer that I sit here
the less
and less
and less   I digest
O
but I digress
and if I had lacked discretion or recognized this mess
I'd be smilin every day now
and gettin down
less and less
but I was blessed
cause no matter the final tally
or the measure of the test
I refuse to let it beat me
yea I confess
cause the longer that I sit here
the less
and less
and less
I'm feelin blessed
O
seems I'm never gonna (not be) depressed
yea
if I had to guess
but I'm damn sure that in the end
it'll be me in the end
yea
I'm never gettin over
all the times I've been oppressed
and the longer that I sit here
the less
and less
and less
cause ya know
it's the best I'm ever
gonna get

Never Gettin Over (amp)

In the early morning 'fore the day begins
I walk among the shadows...watch'em go away...
one-by-one...
like the last train leaving
when the work day's done
and I imagine the lovely shadows waiting
as they ride the long journey to the and of shade
O
I've heard it said
it's in the early mornings 'fore the day begins
that light is courting shadow for what shadow brings
and shadow wants to stay...cause she's into flings...
so light and shade...forever kept away
(from each other) and it's a tragedy
O
so sad to see
the shadows living in mourning...
where the light now grieves
and she's off to the land of shade...

Courting Shadow

If I were a portrait
an abstract or found art...
would you try to change me
could you hear my voice
would you acknowledge my choice
and say I spiraled
I dipped
and somehow I got ripped
do you think you'd save me
O lord
is there a world in which I'd be the star
the centerpiece the attraction...
cause let me tell you how a renaissance extraction that ended in distraction, instead of history...
the inheritor of caption in immortal meme
yea babe
pollen falls from my frustration
a masterpiece
a remonstration
and O
I was a movement I was a field in Van Gogh's dreams
I was the Mona Lisa...
but no one favored me
so now I'm in the alley and I'm feeling down and apart and
If I were a portrait
an abstract or found art...
would you change me
tear out my voice
go against my choice
so I spiral...I dip
and somehow I am ripped
so will you save me
O oh o
will you save me

Immortal Meme

Yea
Didn't you ask to confess
to seek defense
to humble yourself and prepare to cleanse
and was this you...?
who wailed and shook and claimed their innocence was took
with a dearth of tears...where you tried
yea, and O you tried
so I'm searching 'round for the ones you cried
O but ain't found nothing
so I came back
its a fact...that you hold the power
so its all an act...you, pretending to be sweet
just end up being sour
and O
I'll be safe in high tide if the water in the ocean is the water from your cries
yea I'd like to be a jurist to hear you plead your case
cause the facts have long departed your version of this disgrace
O and it was you asking to confess and you
needing a new defense
better humble yourself

The Water From Your Cries

Stuck my head out the window
as the world was rushing by...
lost my breath for a moment...
escaped me in a sigh
as I close my eyes...
pull my braids apart and let my hair
go whipping by
and in this moment...I can pretend...
that I can fly...
Off go the troubles I've been carrying on my back
fall like debris...
like rocks and trees...a quiet landslide
in a slipstream...
while I hang from this window
on this fast carride...
well thank god for good friends
who find me in the quiet
who hear me in my silence
know my hearts' defiance
and intervene 'fore I die
as I close my eyes
I ripped my plaits apart
and let my hair go whipping by
cause in this moment...
I can just pretend that imma bout to fly
yea imma bout to fly 

Artwork: Loui Jover

Escaped Me In A Sigh

I've been walking in my sleep...kinda wandering...
and sometimes I wake up...odd debris clinging to my feet
and I got my reasons
when I'm dreaming but find myself awake
yea...Imma sauntering...and I am unbelieving
and I know I'll find you there
in the billows and the breezes
cause your scent lingers
in the tendrils and the trees...
your grasp a phantom I'll invent
(so I've been told)
the love I held for you...becomes the stone that I now hold
a weight I carry...a stone
an orb
a globe...
one I push upon an incline
restrain against retreat...chained around my feet
this world a burden I must hold
for eternity...but babe
for sure you burn with me
for when I'm dreaming but find myself awake
yea Imma sauntering
and I am...unbelieving

Funk 118

I strummed a chord, I plucked a note
my fingers dancing slow
and I watch the trains come in
then leave again...and sometimes the cars
are all empty
and did you know...this 'ol trestle, down the track...got a troubling reputation
sad story of young lovers awhile back
fell to their deaths
'fore they could be tried for the crimes they'd be facing
yea...lil Ann and Cole Jack
'sleep beneath the waters for all time
and I'll just sit here...on the park bench
strum on my guitar
picking out the notes when the music's hard
got my fingers dancing slowly
as I watch the trains come in
then chug along 'fore they leave again
sun'll be setting soon
gonna pack in my six string
limp along beyond the yard
just the clothes on my back and an old union card
yea strummin a chord
pickin a note my fingers dancin slow
as I make my way home

A Troubling Reputation

I was kissed below the egress
where the light could not be seen
and my lips lay crushed beneath
the weight of being
into this world I come
to feel in warmth and love
to hold the gaze of the morning sun
I fly among the others
and with this herd I run and run and run
yet in a realm of consequence
in flesh and bone we perish
and what extravagance is this to thieve
my will...call it a compact
a kind of marriage
and I...
a child bride...my voice stripped from me
my wings clipped from me
as mortal flesh I am succumbed 
yea...bent below this force
like matrimony...and through these...
my husbands all
would take my grace (refined)
and spill it in the earth 
to break my spine
and you just climb and climb and climb
crush the patriarchy
let'em whine...cause I'm on time
and I ain't tardy
and I've got every right to be here
to B at this party

B At This Party

Knee deep in the jungle
been told I'm a feisty one
but make sure you close that trail
cause man...
too much competition means ya can't be sure I fail
yea
you're the hammer
and I'm the nail
and damn this bush is thick....
got me lagging far behind
but I got gears and I brought shears
and man...I'm gonna shine
yea I'm gonna shine
Ya cut my grid though you kept it hid
but you lay with trash
you catch the filth...and I hear you
cuttin jokes...but I ain't no milf
and all that charm you weave and spin
all the while...my grave you're digging
you've become the hack behind my back
suckin wind from out my sails...yea babe
cause you're the hammer
I'm the nail
and damn this bush is thick....
got me lagging far behind
but I got gears and I brought shears
and man...I'm gonna shine
yea I'm gonna shine

Funk 110  (I’m Gonna Shine)

I've been heading home for days and 
it seems I'm oft delayed
quashin fight 'fore a fist is raised
but now...it's like the lights keep turning off
this earth takes a lil spin...
then the lights flash back...
and the world has moved ahead of me again
raised a glass to the passing decades
all the storms bringing rain in as blows
but its the only time I ever get to see you
cause when I drink I talk to ghosts
O
there's a few I'm talkin to
mired in agitation then there's those
who stay real close like to jump inside 
my skin...and now
...it's like the lights keep turning off
this earth takes a lil spin...
then the lights flash back...
and the world has moved ahead of me again
tend to drink when I'm on the ropes
cause its the only time...I can talk to ghosts
...it's like the lights keep turning off
this earth takes a lil spin...
then the lights flash back...
and the world has moved ahead of me again

I Talk To Ghosts

It would have been easier to just lay down
to stay flat on the ground
looking up at the clouds...
on a rainy day...
puddles to drown me
rain all around me...a drop at a time
to drill a hole in my mind
yea
a lil water torture...cause ur methods' so fine...whoa whoa whoa yea yea
so fine
from here in these weeds...mud sucking me in...some kinda pull
shake me out in a sieve
but now I circle the drain..yea
puddles to drown me
in all this rain
It would have been easier to just lay down
to stay flat on the ground
looking up at the clouds...
on a rainy day...
puddles to drown me
rain all around me...a drop at a time
to drill a hole in my mind
to drill a hole in my mind

A Hole In My Mind

I'm partial to a palate that trades in 
blues and greys
like a pattern on a tea cup
(indigo in shades) along chipped edges
where the lipstick fades
and my eye lingers on the length
so thin and slender
a neck outstretched...for bourgeois fingers
pinkies out...
when they're quotin' scripture
O yea
and there are moments in the hangtime
'tween a sunset and a moonrise
when all the world seems cloaked in velvet
shades of blue and grey
then the moonguard shuffles in...
to chase those hues away
but my eye lingers on the length
so thin and slender
a neck outstretched...for bourgeois fingers
pinkies out...
cause they just want pictures
so here I stay...
on the periphery of night and day
sublimate my haughty structures
reverberate in my glacial ways
yea...and I'm partial to a palate
that trades in blues and greys

They Just Want Pictures

Seems I've been standing by this ol juke box
and I can't help but stare at those old records
I put my quarter in...but the records aren't spinnin'...
and my money is now missing
and I might be getting mad
...'bout the time I ripped the cover off
the barkeep is yelling...-hey hey
but I'm finding out that this box is just a fake...crumbling in my fingers
and before my eyes it disintegrates
O its just a fake
Ahhh its just a fake
and I don't know why you'd strip the best parts of the past
pull out all the meaning
and then charge us...while you laugh
cause, used to be
I put my quarter in
and I'd watch my record spin
worth every penny...while I was listening

While I Was Listening

There was a battle in the tower
spillin out the archer's windows
overrun, til I hit the gallows...and
now I'll run no more
now I'll run no more
and when my neck is stretched
to send my spirit off
and when the blood that's spilled...
is cleansed
all those valiant warriors with paper swords
still drawn...for the stacks of forms to fill
and all those brave accounts to pen...before dawn
Lo
when the light does come...
ribboned paper...strewn and plumbed
and I - a fruit too wet to drop
but dyin all the same
yea, sing for me the song I've sung
the song that tells my name
the notes that fall as seconds...ticking off a clock
for I am that stubborn fruit
still too wet to drop
and now I'll run no more...stretched beneath the gallows
my toes can feel the floor...for I've hung here long enough
think I've proved my neck is tough...
and my heart...a stone fruit core
no I ain't done with running...
til this heavy fruit is bore

h/t Billie Holiday/Meropol Strange Fruit

This Heavy Fruit

For all the seconds I've spent waiting
a whole damn life of hesitating
tryin to see the scale of the shitz u give
and down I've gone upon those mats
in a chokehold as I suffocate between the cracks
...pontificatin' on the substance of a flying pig
and it took a whale bone corset
strapped to my puppet strings
to get me to the mountain...so I could pray upon these things
and my barefeet touched the stone
the kneebone of old giants
whisperin love and kindness...point me to my home...where forgiveness idles timeless
but I have met with stale resistance
as I study now ur face...my sense of u is fleeting...an echo in ur place
for...you've gone missing...
and it took a whale bone corset
strapped to my puppet strings
to get me to the mountain...so I could pray upon these things
I'm aware of the space about me the questions on ur face
'what about me?'...yea
u hesitate in ur dream...where u forget about me...and - I - u - it would seem
and my barefeet touch upon the stone
the kneebones of old giants
whisper love and kindness
where forgiveness...idles timeless

Idles Timeless

I tell myself...I'm fine
then I step inside that shine...
and I ride it all the way
a trapeze artist hangin by a leg
open mouth beneath a powder keg
with a funnel made of clay
yea
and I might be trippin but this sabotage is plain
cause within the fears I've internalized
lie the keystones that remain
yea
the makings of a morsel ground down to a buncha grains
and I tell myself I'm fine...
then I fall outside the lines
riding all the way
open mouth to a powder keg
whoa...yea
and I tell myself I'm fine
then I step inside my shine
O let it shine
   let it shine
yea...then I ride it all the way
whoa...yea
the makings of a morsel ground down to a buncha grains
and I tell myself I'm fine...
then I fall outside the lines
riding all the way
open mouth to a powder keg

Open Mouth To A Powder Keg

Hey hey...
let me carry ur crime...til the end of time
cause I'm a sin eater - at the five and dime
though u get wat u pay for
carry on...at ur cost...cause I'll eat the sin
but ur victory's lost
cause for the lowest of prices...its all hollow
yea,...sorry...I don't swallow
and...O
I'll carry ur crime til the end of time
cause - I'm a sin eater...at the five and dime
and you'll get a carry out sack with hot sins and hail mary's
lookin for a saviour in the one who will carry
for ur sins r many
and they'll not stay buried
yea...no rest for the wicked
being so cheap is unwise
cause I'll carry ur crime til the end of time
yea
just a sin eater at the five and dime
O yea

Five And Dime Sin Eater

Coulda been a line on a map...nearly 
invisible - yea
I coulda been that
and I might've been the rod that takes the lick o lightnin
and I might've been caught
cause my grip has been tightening
waitin on the thunder clap
and the wrath of god
O whoa woa
coulda been...coulda been...all of that
but instead I'm the inch worm...inching along
nearly invisible...yea
just inching my way cross this iron horse highway
and it's almost biblical...the proportions
conveyed...cause that horse is a giant
a goliath to my dave
yea
awwww yea
coulda been coulda been all that
O
could've been a line on a map
nearly invisible...yea
I coulda been that

Coulda Been

I slept in my braid last night
still got the salt of my tears in its plaits
and I won't take it apart
cause its all I got...squeezed from my heart
lays heavy upon my skin
a crown of thorns where my braid begins
the remnants of my grace
tearstained where they slowly trace
cause...for all my efforts...I've been laid to waste
yea
siftin' through the remnants of my grace
lays heavy upon my skin
a crown of thorns where my braid begins
O
a fever heat
a jaw untightened
cold tile where I stand frightened
my future has gone cold
for I've tightened up my hold
on this tearstained braid
yea
lays heavy upon my skin
a crown of thorns where my braid begins
the remnants of my grace
tearstained where they slowly trace

The Remnants Of My Grace

On my left hand I drew an arrow
it had fletchings...made it roll like a barrel
but on the other hand...
I caught the tears of a falling star
water from the ages
while the flame in my heart...rages
and I...
rip fat chords on my guitar
pluck and hammer upon those strings
...til I've gone too far...yea
and on my right hand
I drew a trigger
it had no safety...I pulled it anyway
O
whoa whoa wo
but on the other hand...
I caught the tears of a falling star
water from the ages
while the flame in my heart...rages

The Other Hand

When I'm down...reflecting
I often think of Luke...a boy born in Georgia
in a time of dust and soup
he was hopeless to his future
took to drink to find his wings...then he found himself in prison
beheaded meters with his angry swings
and the county wept for its loss
sentenced Luke to pay the cost
and upon a chain gang swingin'
buildin' ditches along dirt roads
'neath the sunglassed gaze of Bossman
yea
a swingin' he must go...
O and
my spirit cries in kinship to the man struck to the ground
for I too have known the sting
and I too've been beaten down
says Luke: I've never planned...go hard - in the paint I play...and if I slip these chains
lord...its in my heart to run away
for this war won't be won
if my tears just salt this earth
and I'd rather face the flames
than pray within your church
and should I turn to drink to celebrate new wings
I might find myself in chains
goin' Luke with my angry swings...
lord...and
upon a chain gang swingin'
buildin' ditches along dirt roads
'neath the sunglassed gaze of Bossman
yea
a swingin' I must go...yea
a swingin' I must go

I Think Of Luke (Cool Hand)

Starting out...I used to think about
the number of days I have to survive
'fore I can jump a train...
thumb a car
or just start walking....
and if I don't leave today...
if I can't save my life this way
then...what am I doing
and I'd been dreamin of another life
where shame ain't at its core
a life where the stitches of my wounds
don't show no more
 and I hop a train...
thumb a car...and lord
I just keep walking....
turns out...leavin yesterday
just like the day before...a generation steppin
like a first tour in a foreign war
O
bodies in the street yea
bodies keeping score and its working out this way...til this lion learns to roar
and if I don't leave today
if I can't save my life this way...
then...what am I even doing
yea
hop a train thumb a car and just keep walking

A Foreign War

Well...I sent my mischief on an errand
and now my neighbors have a ghost
gonna haunt 'em for their daring
...say my grievance just ain't close
yea
they killed the quiet in my head
actin like they're dancin with the dead
O
midnight moonlight madness
bringin on the badlands
gettin busy on the floorboards
fiddler in my bed
well...I stomped to raise the sash
keepin time...but its gettin fast
rap upon the window pane
sent my mischief across the lane
yea
now my neighbors have a ghost
gonna haunt 'em for their daring
...say my grievance (such ignorance is gross)
yea
O midnight moonlight madness
bringin on the badlands
gettin busy on the floorboards
fiddler in my bed

Fiddler In My Bed

I stepped out in the sun...after seven rainy days
raised my head up to the sky
and my wings unfolded
and my mind exploded
whoa...I'm an angel (and I didn't know it)
good lord, what can I do
what of all those sins I did
yea...been actin like a fool
g...damn will I be forgiven
yea I'm an angel (and I didn't know it)
here I ascend...ponder on my story
yea...woe is me
and my allegory
I'm in trouble deep
I think I lost my halo
thought religion the biggest joke
been flippin off the pope
O I'm an angel (and I didn't know it)
yea...got these angel wings
hope I didn't blow it
yea...comin home Lord
fixin up my pious face
got duct tape on my grace
hit the bell curve of the angel throng
yea
I got it goin on...O
I'm an angel...and I didn't know it

Im An Angel And I Didnt Know It

Note* Love u Tracy Chapman

I stopped to listen to the squeal of amped electric...
plugging up in the belly of a six string relic
and I polished off the pool stick
with the powder of blue years
yea...and a pox upon your house
for all these fresh tears
and then she started singing...
my belly fell two gears
yea
and I'm choking on the powder coming from blue years
whoa ooo
the hook of destiny
the spear to tear my flesh
yank me back to '88
(when grief don't know me yet)
and I was existing beneath horizons
blue skies when the sun's arising
afloat upon my hope...where it'll be a shining
O yea
but the world got loud and I found it hard to hear
the singing drowned beneath the powder of blue years
yea...a pox upon your house for all these fresh tears

Of Blue Years

I was hangin round (out back)
was a lucky find ( at that)
I have the emperor's clothes...yea
and I'm headed to a party
whoa whoa wo wo
I have the emperor's clothes
and I hear they're really shiny
a sight so very rare
features all the colors
compliments my hair
and it don't matter I can't see 'em
cause it's all I'm ever told
yea baby
I was hangin round (out back)
was a lucky find ( at that)...cause
I have the emperor's clothes...
and in this suit I am a queen
the envy...at every party scene
yea
I'm a glamour dream baby
in these robes of wonderous pattern
whoa whoa wo wo
cause I was just hangin round (out back)
my lucky find ( at that)
I have the emperor's clothes...
and you'll all bow down before me
yea you must avert your eyes
for I am the awesome goddess
in my emperor's clothes

My Emperor Clothes

I took the same oath, brother...I see u
#PTSD

There's a man in the street
holding out his hand
seems his mind is loose
and his fingers gone blind
wounded eyes...searchin out new signs
and his idle's shaky
gotta thirst for more time
like he's dyin of rabies
a mad dog on cheap wine
spilt his spirit on the curb
man's gone trippin
flaps his arms for kind words
lays down in spilt wine
drippin through the grate
but his fingers are blind
for a thirst of drinkin hate
yea wounded eyes...searchin for new signs
and his idle's shaky
gotta thirst for more time
like he's dyin of rabies
a mad dog on cheap wine
he closes his eyes cause all he can see
is the war in his mind
that won't leave him be
choppers and busses
and a rifle named Sadie
cause
his idle's shaky
gotta thirst for more time
like he's dyin of rabies
a mad dog on cheap wine

A Mad Dog On Cheap Wine

She's been living like an exhale
held from when she walked about
like living in an air jail
where your breath lets out
and she looks through darkened glass
hoping you'll look back
cause she's afraid to be seen by your naked eye
yea
she's looking forward only...too afraid of her past
O and wishin you were blind
(don't wanna be seen) 
by your naked eye
yea she wears dark glass and
She's been living like an exhale
held from when she walked about
like living in an air jail
where your breath lets out
yea
you'll know her by her style
by that open country smile
carefully revealed beneath her laugh
lord yea
she's a well honed craft
got her shades to shape her look
a lil Dylan...(to keep you shook)
hides it all behind dark glass
cause babe...you got her living like an exhale
held from when she walked about
like living in an air jail
where your breath lets out

Where Ur Breath Lets Out

I still love u son
won't nothin ever make that change
but I can't take all this heartbreaking
cause ain't nothing ever done by mistake
and I'm sorry...I tried...and I'm not lying
I was always on your side...but I lost u
and I'm racking my brain...to find ur data
on that point
and the reason for this void
and every ten years
I turn over a new leaf
and this time...I'm opening a window...
for the rain and snow and sleet
goin back ten years
his daddy took his life
and I was a good wife...yea
but nobody knew it
I survived that man with a razor thin plan
and thorns beneath my slip
already lost u then...but damn...I tried to pull u back...and then
off you'd go again
and every ten years
I turn over a new leaf
and this time...I'm opening a window...
for the rain and snow and sleet
caught up in a whirlwind
and I'm feeling weak
How I'll grieve for u
breaking all ur promise
and my broken heart
pieces without pattern, laying far apart
and I pray...cause this ghost in my garden
stalking...is the son to whom I've been talking
a mist of scent familiar
and death beneath his feet

And This Time

My shaker chairs...are in need of kaning
yea
their stung seats are just open framing
but the ol Kaner's commitin vagary
and I heard he's pushing up daisies
yea and so I stay perched atop the edge
a shaker chair...livin in distress
avoiding all the parties comin round
and I'm under-dressed...a shaker chair nonetheless
and all my chairs are in need of kaning yea
their strung seats are just open framing
so...I now ponder on the hole before me
six feet down there's a kaner's body
yanking on his strings while I chant and yell
for Imma workin on this resurrection spell
gonna bring him back
gonna bring him back
yea lord, really need his help
cause my shaker chairs are in need of kaning
string my seats so I can close the framing
and I'll put him back I swear
six feet under but he's everywhere
that ol kaner's fingers
in the kane upon my chair

A Shaker Chair

Why have so many lights gone dark
the streetlights seem broken
and I watched as each one sparked before
they faded...I shook the poles I checked
the lines...I shut 'em down and rebooted
yet ...I remain here lit and rooted - and afraid
am I forsaken
have I done wrong
did I abandon without knowing
am I cursed to rave
am I the mist above the graves
O Lord
the battle is on and
I can do no more
choices made
I'm just a witness
my fists clenched as I rave
yea
a mist above the graves
...in the distance a pathlight starts to glow
I can see only light within the lantern
for these shadows hide ur face
and I cannot call
but I can watch and smile and wave
for here I will remain (lit and rooted)
and no more afraid
yea
a mist above the graves

Mist Above The Graves

What do you imagine...he had to say
that lonesome caller...in the night
callin out til the dawn of day
to rise again...what did he say
cause...that message isn't welcome
I cannot grieve no more
please...find an answer
a love to keep you warm
lays quiet upon your cheek
that distant love you seek
yea
for my house is in unrest
and danger found my nest
yea...
surely I was mistaken
in some way
how I wish this was a folly
a tale I could untell...
for all those moments slipping past me
I have not fared too well
yes today he has gone quiet
a love he found no doubt
come to whisper endings
each night he was out,...but sir
that message is not welcome
for I cannot grieve no more
please... find an answer a love to shut you up
away into the treetops
leave my heart so torn and plucked

Lonesome Caller

I married the moon on Monday
his light so strong and bright
seemed a reflection of my heart
he was a beautiful sight
his cheeks so full and lunar
his voice a tenor crooner
sings me love songs
above the trees
how could I know what I did not see
he was a reflection of me
yea
I married the moon cause of his light
he was a beautiful sight
but I didn't know he was reflecting my light
O
when I discovered the moon's deception...
I could not stay
but sent him far far away
now each night...the moon avoids me
silent in reflection
and when I look for loving eyes
he turns away through space
and so I move around...but still...I cannot find his face
yea...I married the moon because of his light
he was a beautiful sight
but I didn't know he was just reflecting my light
yea and one day I may send up a signal
cause even bad actors could use some love
and I tire of this vigil
so come to me my husband
climb down from your spacious perch
for I desire your touch and I tire of this hurt
yea come to me my husband
really need some love

The Moon Husband

I'm holding on to snapshots...
moments caught in time
the joy forever smiling
...on every face I find
but I've gone missing...my smile has disappeared - and now
I'm holding on to tendrils of half a century
...in my mind
O they climb and climb...to places out of reach
and I find myself falling - inside that breach
can I bare my teeth...now
can I square my feet - now
and sometimes I'm just tired
gotta hold myself 
gotta hold myself
cause I've gone missing
from all those snapshots on my shelf
yea
and I hang on to old memories
clipped to a firefly string
an electric candle burning...
where my memories cling
and dear god
I still feel the sunshine and the sand...the gulls flying up above
...but holding squares of moments...
seems an echo of that love
yea
I hang on to old memories
clipped to a firefly string
and when my smile finds me...
those fireflies'll take wing

Art works by Masato Tsuchiya

Snapshots On My Shelf

OOOOO
The column clock is striking
and it's running far behind
it's calling out eleven...
but it's eleven past that time
and it seems when I'm my lowest
and crying out for signs
that column clock strikes out eleven
and...it's eleven past that time
O
I'm growing weary of these puzzles that break me down the line
won't u just give up the F answer...
say it straight
...cause I'm going blind
yea
I'm walking in the darkness
I'm losing touch and running dry
thought my cup would runneth over...
instead I'm forced to climb
and again that clock is striking
tap-tapping out eleven...
but I know...
it's eleven past that time
and it seems when I'm my lowest
and crying out for signs...
that column clock starts striking
...still running far behind
now SCREAMING OUT ELEVEN
and it's ELEVEN PAST THAT TIME
and I'm checking all the faces of the clocks with their displays....
O good god...ya know I love ya
4:20? NM...I'm good...(cough)

Eleven Past That Time

Can you hear them raging...crying
as their legacies are dying
the ones who came before
who fought and died in war
all their hopes and dreams...
yea
BROKEN ARROW
broken wings
cause we all just stopped trying
and now...
all that cost...litter in the wind
legacies and sacrifice...all lost
to a seven generation sting
like an open water pirate
our ghosts unfettered
full of hate
a mask of great proportion
so much fear unmasked
too late...
we've become the unliving
yea 
BROKEN ARROW
broken wings
dead sparrows lay in pits
fire burns their breast
one last song...my lovely sparrow
a song of death to warn the living
O
broken arrows...broken sparrows
broken wings
a song of life where the sparrow sings

Where The Sparrow Sings

I have been in mourning
and I could not be appeased...
despite the sun and all her warming
my cries still touched her knees
and the wind - my side companion
whispers...shhhhhhh
to ease my pain
for mama's warming up her slap...
and it always starts with rain
rain
yea
the truth about your silence
is speaking words to me
cause for every pause in your commitment
I see....
where your courage flees
but the wind - my side companion
whispers...shhhhhhh
to ease my pain
for mama's warming up her slap...
and it always starts with rain
rain
O yea
and when I'm finished mourning
and there's water to my knees
all my joys will be returning as ur silence fills the seas
...for a drop of salt and nothing
leaves you stranded in the weeds
but the wind...my side companion
whispers ...shhhhhh
brings the rain with every breeze

It Starts With Rain

Somebody put a target on my back
and as much as I try...I can't get it off
looks like a cross got tipped over in a gale...
...and now I'm living in a soul jail
well, this  "X" has followed me
like a boot upon me
but I'm beginning to discern a pattern
and while I'm flying tattered
I'm open to this angle...
thought myself lost to a Fkn' tangle
yea
consider me  "X" when u address me
but don't mistake my peaceful posture...
an easy target for ur vulture
...cause I know war (and u wouldn't wanna make me angry)
and I wish u knew how close u are...X-killer X-chiller X-tinct and other....
X-open door for all my X-brothers...in arms
but I'm beginning to discern a pattern
and while I'm flying tattered
I'm open to this angle...
thought myself lost to a Fkn' tangle yea

I got my ghosts and we've been hard at work
bury that hatchet...uncork that cork...
go on then...
disturb my peace...see if I've gone tender
stab me with that fork
O
but brother...give me...a reach around at least

A Reach Around At Least

🎶🎶🎶***YO YO YO LETS GO***🎶🎶🎶

we’ll just refer to my recovery pieces as ‘the grumble series’ til I get my range back…whew…



🤟🏼Working on new patterns and techniques in composition, production, and performance of both instrumental(classical/acoustic guitar) and voice- pieces are built (loops and beats)..on BandLab @nyla_k00  and Soundtrap (new)

I have removed the (amp) tag for consistency in distribution- acoustic pieces I perform will be tagged as ‘acoustic’ (apologies for page reorganization)

TBH, I aspire to be a guitar 🎸 but I’ll settle for being able to play competently what I hear when I write...(one day, Alice...to the moon)

I study under Duncan L. Wood and am grateful for his guidance and patience. Most of my influences are Folk/Blues/Indie, but inspiration arrives in many forms so HT to Hip Hop, Rap, Classical, especially Chamber trios. Current tracks are first cuts and I may update them in the future with cleaner versions, thank you for listening as I learn.

Nyla K

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