slow down summer

slow down summer

what's your hurry

make your warm days long

never-ending

I'm pretending

it's been like this all along

slow down summer

take your time

this is not a race

I want you to last

but you're going fast

I want you in first place

tired of waiting

I'm just sitting here

minding my own business

always waiting

for something to appear

something wonderful

I can be a witness

I keep on waiting

till my hopes disappear

it's a long, sad road

to an existence

where I am happy

with pure peace of mind

you want an example?

well, here's a for-instance

give me a boost

and I'll be satisfied

          and I'm tired of waiting

          I'm going to get up

          with my energy and my mental health

          I'm tired of waiting

          I'm going to get up

          and do something for myself

I'm just sitting here

all by my lonesome

but it won't be long

till I make my move

if wishes were stones

you know that I'd throw some

I'm on my own

with plenty to prove

          and I'm tired of waiting

          I'm going to get up

          with my energy and my mental health

          I'm tired of waiting     

          I''m going to get up

          and do something for myself

all these memories

I have all these memories

and I don't know what to do with them

I try living in the here and now

but my mind always goes back again

and it's not that I don't like them

and it's not I wish them gone

it's just that always looking in the rear view mirror

is not a way to move on 

          give me a road

          that's not a one-way street

          give me a chance

          to know the people I meet

I know all these memories

I've walked this path before

I keep looking towards the future

I say "Time -- just give me more"

but my brain tries to stay the same

replaying all I've already seen

all the people I've befriended

all the places that I've seen

          give me a road

          that's not a one-way street

          give me a chance

          to know the people that I meet

just maybe tomorrow

I'll snap to present tense

I won't look at my yesterdays

and wonder where they've went

but today I live in history

not of my own design

I'm busy running for today

I hope I get there in time

          give me a road

          that's not a one-way street

          give me a chance

          to know the people that I meet

heatwave

I'm drinking lots of water

I'm staying inside

all the fans are running

and the kids have slip 'n slides

I'm not cooking in the kitchen

I'm not out seeing friends

and I'm looking forward to Tuesday

when this madness end

          we're having a heatwave

          you know what I mean

          we're having a heatwave

          today'll hit 115

my freezer isn't working

and I have no beer to drink

I'm refilling water bottles

from the kitchen sink

I'm feeling every ounce of heat

with every extra degree

why oh why oh why oh why

don't I have a.c.

          we're having a heatwave

          here in the northwest

          we're having a heatwave

          and we're doing our best

someday when it's normal

like, say, seventy-five

we wont be sweating 

and we'll be glad that we're alive

but until that day comes

and the heat comes to an end

we'll wish for December

when winter comes again

          we're having a heatwave

          we're howling at the moon

          we're having a heatwave

          I hope it will be over soon

we're still living

I'm at that age 

where people look back or forget

I'm not ready

to give up the present just yet

I'm thinking there must be

some things yet to do

and I'm going to do them

and I hope you do, too

'cause we're still living

this world is still our home

we're still living

the only life we've ever known

when I wake up

it's another earthly day

another chance of living

I don't want to give away

there's books and words and music

and friends and family

and all the other people

that you have yet to be

'cause we're still living

this world is still our home

we're still living

the only life we've ever known

          my time is moving on

          but I'm not done

          I don't want to see

          that setting sun

I'm at that age

when people live with regret

I'm not ready

to give up the present just yet

I've still got life

and dreams and hope

and a lifetime of learning

on a seesawing slope

and we're still living

this world is still our home

we're still living

the only life we've ever known

worrying

I keep on worrying

that's all I every do

one problem to another

they all fall into view

if it's not one thing

there's half a dozen more

it's time to take those worries

and throw them out the door

time alone

sometimes I can't take all your bad news

I am sorry for not being

that good of a friend

I don't know what else I can do

but whatever I did,

I'm not doing it again

I need to take some time for myself

I can't take on the problems

of somebody else

I don't need no newspapers, computer or phone

I just need some time alone

the world is waiting for you (rewrite 2)

step outside 

don't be afraid

staying inside's 

only a masquerade 

nothing will hurt you

you'll be okay

it's going to happen anyway

so, go ahead, think about

what you're going to do

the world is waiting for you

good morning

get out of bed

real life is better

than pillows under your head

I know that it's scary

I know that you're blue

just open the door

do what you can do

so, go ahead, look at how

the sky is so blue

what you always knew

the world is waiting for you

          maybe you're frightened

          maybe you're scared

          and life goes on

          but you're never prepared

put on a clean shirt

put on some shoes

find a way out of

those stay-at-home blues

it just takes a second

you don't have to hide

stick one foot out and

you're almost outside

so, go ahead, think about

what you always knew

the world is waiting for you

with my own eyes

I have too many questions

that will never have answers

there is so much that I'll never know

hanging out in classrooms and museums

is a life that I'll never know

but still I keep asking

it's all that I do

like dreaming those dreams

that will never come true

a wise man would say

it's all up to you

but I will never be wise

all I see is with my own eyes

sidewalk in Galway (rewrite 2)

I am playing guitar on a sidewalk in Galway

I am a million miles from home

nobody is paying attention

my songs are all unknown

but I keep on playing

it's what I was born to do

and if no one hears me

I'll be singing to you

there are people here in Galway

but none of them ever slow down

no money in my guitar case

I'm trying to stand my ground

they weren't here when I started

they won't be here when I'm through

and if no one bothers to listen

I'll be singing to you

I remember you from Donegal

I remember your sweet smile

I remember laughing in the morning

I guess it's been a long, long while

I don't need no other audience

you alone will do

and if no one here needs me

I'll be singing to you

I'll be singing to you

the world is waiting for you (rewrite 1)

step outside 

don't be afraid

staying inside's 

only a masquerade 

nothing will hurt you

you'll be okay

it's going to happen anyway

so, go ahead, think about

what you're going to do

the world is waiting for you

good morning

don't stay in bed

real life is better

than pillows under your head

I know that it's scary

I know that you're blue

just open the door

do what you can do

so, go ahead, think about

what you always knew

the world is waiting for you

          maybe you're frightened

          maybe you're scared

          and life goes on

          but you're never prepared

put on a clean shirt

put on some shoes

find a way out of

those stay-at-home blues

it just takes a second

you don't have to hide

stick one foot out and

you're almost outside

so, go ahead, think about

how the sky is so blue

the world is waiting for you

start over

I wish I wasn't old

I like my life too much

every breath

every whisper

every effort at a touch

I've lived here every minute

from morning until night

but I want to start over

and this time get it right

I wish I could be young

like I was all those years

where I never even noticed

when did they disappear

I've traveled all these miles

now the end is in sight

I just want to start over

and this time get it right

the world is waiting for you

step outside the front door

don't be afraid

staying inside is nothing

but a masquerade 

there's nothing to hurt you

you will be okay

face it

it was going to happen anyway

so, go ahead, tell me

what are you going to do

the world is waiting for you

it's a brand new morning

don't stay is bed

life is better

than pillows under your head

I know that it's scary

I know that you're blue

just open the door

it's the least you can do

so, go ahead, tell me

that you'll make it through

the world is waiting for you

          maybe you're frightened

          maybe you're scared

          but inside you you know

          that you belong there

put on a clean shirt

put on some shoes

find a way out of

those stay-at-home blues

it just takes a second

you don't have to hide

stick one foot out

you're almost outside

so, go ahead, tell me

how the sky is so blue

the world is waiting for you

sidewalk in Galway (rewrite 1)

I am playing on a sidewalk in Galway

I am a million miles from home

nobody is paying attention

my songs are all unknown

but I'll keep on playing

it's what I was born to do

and if no one listens to me

I'll pretend I'm singing to you

there are people here in Galway

but they pass by without a sound

no money in my guitar case

I'm trying to stand my ground

they weren't here when I started

they won't be here when I'm through

and if no one bothers to listen

I'll pretend I'm singing to you

I remember you from Donegal

I remember your sweet smile

I remember laughing in the morning

I guess it's been a long, long while

I don't need no other audience

you alone will do

and if no one here needs me

I'll pretend I'm singing to you

I'll pretend I'm singing to you

computer

I'm not a man of fortune

or a man of means

I see my life

on the computer screen

the sky is blue

the grass is green

and everything is fine

I don't go outside

I don't meet with friends

it's happened before

and it's happening again

that feeling I

will never win

is etched upon my mind

why is it so perfect

life on the internet

I used to have hopes and dreams

but lately I forget

I know something will happen

but it hasn't happened yet

and I'm always waiting

real life's a joke

and I am the punchline

point me towards the way

and let's see what I find

the person who I am

is what I want to leave behind

I only want to forget

          it's too damn hard

          being who I am

          if I were you

          I'd finally give a damn

          I find you on my laptop

          I see you on my phone

          I feel fine when I'm online

          this computer is my home

everybody I know

everybody I know

is on my computer

I don't know anyone

in real life

an image on screen

is all that I know here

it's a natural fact

but it don't make it right

strangers have become

my best friends here

they don't know who I am

and I like it that way

I'm a face in the crowd

and that's how it ends here

nobody will ever know

the words that I say

          I know where I am

          I don't get very much

          oh, what I'd give for

          a human touch

everybody I know

are those who are online

there is nobody else

on whom I can depend

they're always okay

everybody is just fine

I am so thankful

that they are my friends

sidewalk in Galway

I am playing on a sidewalk in Galway

I am a million miles from home

nobody is listening to me

my songs are all unknown

but you know I'll keep on playing

it's what I was born to do

and if no one listens to me

I'll pretend I'm singing just for you

just for you

there are people here in Galway

but they pass by without a sound

they don't mind that I am playing, though

I stand on solid ground

they weren't here when I started

they won't be here when I'm through

and if no one pays attention

I'll pretend I'm singing just for you

just for you

thank you for your time, miss

I appreciate that you stopped

and listened to my sad song

from a lonely mountaintop

I don't need no other audience

you alone will do

and if no one needs a sad song

I'll pretend I'm singing just for you

just for you

I'll pretend I'm singing just for you

Port Hueneme pier (rewrite 2)

 

I am staring at the ocean/ from the pier in my hometown/ I am watching seagulls flying/ I am not on solid ground/ I am thinking of my loved ones/ the people I hold dear/ as I walk by discarded driftwood/ on the Port Hueneme pier

I was born here by the water/ the Pacific is my home/ I now live in a northern city/ I am out here on my own/ I am thinking about my childhood/ and how it disappeared/ as I walk on sand and seaweed/ on the Port Hueneme pier

today my memory is a camera/ and it captures all it sees/ waves of blue/ shadows of silver/ water fading under me/ I am thinking I'm never satisfied/ but for once I'm glad I'm here/ as I walk by abandoned seashells/ on the Port Hueneme pier

all because of you

I stumbled home drunk

from the corner pub

there was a man at my door

I said "What's up, Bub?"

but there were no words

that were coming out

instead, he pulled out his fist

and punched me in the mouth

and I said

oh no, what can I do

I'm lying on the floor

and it's all because of you

I was drinking wine

from a high-heeled shoe

I was staring at my sneakers, saying

what can I do

when the strangest thing happened

a lady appeared

she said "I'm taking away

all of your fear"

and I said 

oh no, I got the blues

I'm passed out drunk 

and it's all because of you

I was home alone

I was drinking homemade beer

when the voice in my head said

"Let's get out of here"

just then you came

a-knocking on my door

the same old same old

I knew from before

and I said

oh no, my problems are few

I'm feeling good

and it's all because of you

someone else

I don't have any friends

at least that's how

I'm feeling right now

and I know I'm wrong

but down inside

I cannot hide

my loneliness surrounds me

it leaves me where it found me

and I can't help myself

I just want to be someone else

I feel worthless blues

 

I will not let you near me/ I know what you can do/ make me feel like nothing/ from my head down to my shoes/ I've been too long a-waiting/ the path is mine to choose/ there's nothing quite as awful as the/ I feel worthless blues

shadows creeping

 

shadows creeping/ on the sidewalk/ it's well past noon/ and I'm finally on my way/ I am keeping/ mental roadblocks/ in my mind/ for whatever happens soon/ I am a prisoner. of my fears/ I'm scared that I/ won't make it out of here/ I will expire/ I will disappear/ and the end is drawing near

the sun blinds me/ I can't see you/ though I'm looking/ up and down/ you cannot find me/ I am not near you/ wheels are turning/ round and round/ I am a prisoner of my past/ whatever's good never lasts/ I know I should be running fast/ I will expire/ I live in fear/ and the end is drawing near

brand new morning

 

it's a brand new morning/ but I'm still the same old me/ broken and depressed/ the way I used to be/ I thought I was all better/ I believed everything was fine/ but I had the same old problems/ in my same old mind/ I thought I had left them/ far behind

it's a brand new morning/ same as the day before/ another day of sadness/ nothing less/ nothing more/ nothing ever changes/ hurt feelings never end/ and tomorrow I will/ do it all over again/ I've tried to outrun it/ but I cannot pretend

Port Hueneme pier (rewrite one)

 

I am staring at the ocean/ from the pier in my hometown/ I am watching seagulls landing/ I am not on solid ground/ I am thinking of my loved ones/ the people I hold dear/ as I walk by discarded driftwood/ on the Port Hueneme pier

I was born here by the water/ the Pacific is my home/ I new live in a northern city/ I am out here on my own/ I am thinking about my childhood/ How did that disappear/ as I walk on sand and seaweed/ on the Port Hueneme pier

today my memory is a camera/ and it captures all it sees/ waves of blue/ shadows of silver/ water fading under me/ I am thinking I'm never satisfied/ but I'm glad that I am here/ as I walk among abandoned seashells/ on the Port Hueneme pier

words

 

I don't get writer's block/ all these words come out of me/ and most of them don't really mean much/ but they keep right on coming/ like water from a faucet or tears from my eyes/ there is no end/ to all these words/ they just keep on coming/ like death and taxes/ like good news and bad/ there is no end to my words/ until the final one

Port Hueneme pier

I am staring at the ocean/ from the pier in my hometown/ I am watching seagulls flying/ I am not on solid ground/ I am thinking of my loved ones/ the people I hold dear/ as I walk by discarded driftwood/ on the Port Hueneme pier

I was born here by the water/ the Pacific is my home/ I new live in a real city/ that was once unknown/ I am thinking I was younger/ How did that disappear/ as I walk on sand and strong wood/ on the Port Hueneme pier

today my memory is a camera/ and it captures all it sees/ waves of blue and / waves of silver/ water fading under me/ I am thinking I'm never satisfied/ but I'm glad that I am here/ as I walk among abandoned seashells/ on the Port Hueneme pier

inside

 

I spend my days and nights inside/ a room where I'm the only one/ I do not see the rising moon/ I do not see the setting sun/ I have no choice but to look within/ I am the voice I've always been/ and something tells me to begin/ to see if I can open a door/ but I don't want to go back/ to who I was before/ I'd rather run and hide/ I spend my days and nights inside

outside

 

there is no reason to be afraid/ there is nothing here that wants to harm you/ I'm not saying you have it made/ but there's no purpose to alarm you/ it's just the great wide open/ where you have nothing to hide/ don't be afraid/ just follow me/ outside

out here the sun is shining/ birds are singing/ all is fine/ each cloud has a silver lining/ all that frightens you/ is only in your mind/ it's just the wild blue yonder/ let it take you for a ride/ don't be afraid/ you're only standing/ outside

darkness lives when you let it/ once you see outside/ you won't forget it

there is no reason to be sad/ today's the day when you'll know good/ I know you've been feeling bad/  now you'll feel the way you should/ lift your face to the sun/ let it dry those tears you've cried/ don't be afraid/ just follow me/ outside/ outside

bare minimum

I am doing the bare minimum for what I have to do/ my sentences are fractured, my instincts don't have a clue/ I circle around this life of mine/ like a dog preparing for sleep/ I pray just like a child/ I pray the Lord my soul to keep

if I had a dog

if I had a dog/ my life would be okay/ I would be a child again/ and we would run and play/ I'd never be forgotten/ I'd always have a friend/ if I had a dog/ I'd never feel lonely again

if I had a dog/ tell you what I'd do/ he'd never go off and leave me/ the way the humans do/ jump high in the tall grass/ come when I call his name/ if I had a dog/ I wouldn't be to blame

          for all of you/ ignoring me/ the way you always do/ if I had a dog/ no telling what I'd do

if I had a dog/ he wouldn't be like you/ pretending I don't matter/ like you always do/ I'd turn on my own species/ and leave it far behind/ if I had a dog/ I believe I would be just fine

nothing in my brain

 

I have nothing in my brain/ that means I'm legally insane/ all the matter that remains/ contains all of my memories/ but my memories won't speak to me/ my subconscious I do not see/ my mind in all its history/ means nothing to my brain