in my next life

in my next life

I will be good looking

women will turn their heads

when I walk by

in my next life

I'll have lots of money

there won't be anything

I can't afford to buy

in my next life

I will not have standards

I'll enjoy everything

that may cross my path

in my next life

I will be popular

and talented and funny

I will make you laugh

          but I'm still in this life

          living in present tense

          anything I try to do

          can be perceived as self defense

in my next life

I will fall in love

and love would never leave me

love would always stay

in my next life

I will possess wisdom

and people who will listen

when I have things to say

          but I'm still in this life

          where troubles do abound

          can't wait for the next life

          where I'll be safe and sound

in my next life

I will be the person

who grows up to be successful

in whatever he may choose

in my next life

I will be the winner

unlike this life

where all I do is lose

on Clinton Street (rewrite one)

when I lived on Clinton Street

life was good and rent was cheap

we were young and we were in love

adulthood stood in front of us

but we ignored it just because

we both believed love was enough

time stood still in front of me

when I lived on Clinton Street

when I lived on Clinton Street

life was good enough to eat

with love the biggest banquet of it all

but it didn't feel like that back then

we played a game of let's pretend

we never thought that we would ever fall

to an end so incomplete

when I lived on Clinton Street

when I lived on Clinton Street

a time I never will repeat

we never saw what we would become

I do not know just where you went

but to me you were heaven sent

you let me know my childhood was gone

still I miss the times we used to meet

when I lived on Clinton Street

I've never known a time so sweet

as when I lived on Clinton Street

on Clinton Street

when I lived on Clinton Street

times were good and rent was cheap

we were young and we were in love

the world shone its light on me

for all the other folks to see

we both agreed that love was enough

we were young and foolish then

not knowing if it would come again

we lived each day as if it were our last

adulthood stood in front of us

but we ignored it just because

we couldn't see that time was rushing past

time stood still in front of me

when I lived on Clinton Street

when I lived on Clinton Street

life was good enough to eat

the world was my playground every day

of course, that's not really true

there were some times I'd feel blue

but, I swear, it felt the other way

with adventure knocking on the door

no taking sides or keeping score

with love the biggest gamble of them all

but it didn't feel like that back then

we played a game of let's pretend

we never dreamed that we would fall

to an end so incomplete

when I lived on Clinton Street

when I lived on Clinton Street

a time I never will repeat

I didn't worry about the days to come

all the joy began to fade

and we were just a masquerade

we never saw what we would become

life goes on and people grow

to do what, I will never know

you're more cautious the older you become

I do not where you went

but to me you were heaven sent

you let me know my childhood was done

still I miss the times we used to meet

when I lived on Clinton Street

one life

I only had one life 

and this is how I lived it

waiting for something to happen

that never came along

life had its merits

but I never could forgive it

for retaking all its promise

and turning out all wrong

my refrigerator magnets

I define myself

by my refrigerator magnets

tiny bits of wisdom

on shiny frames of steel

I believe that

all these little fragments

will add up into something

that can teach me how to feel

all I need to know

is on refrigerator magnets

funny little sayings

that stick to the door

I'd like to say

I'm not staying stagnant

but I'm not any smarter

than I was before

          teach me what you can

          tell me I'm not dumb

          help me to be the man

          I know I can become

I strive to be like

my refrigerator magnets

they represent everything

I wish that I could be

I know they'll lead me

my refrigerator magnets

when I have their lessons

memorized inside of me

somebody show me how

every Sunday morning

I wake up to find

that Saturday still

is clouding my mind

all that stuff that I did

the night before

I'm not doing that

anymore

the straight and narrow

is where I'm at now

somebody show me how

I've been running around

looking for peace

running and hiding

I can't get no relief

I hurry and worry

I over question my brain

but everything still 

turns out the same

I'll be as good

as my heart will allow

somebody show me how

free writing

there is no sentimental attachment to me

as far as I can see

I'm nothing you think about

all I have for you is me

my coffee cup

every morning it greets me

there's a smile on my face

it's there to meet me

I can't wait for the taste

it fills my heart with wonder

when I'm waking up

my coffee cup

I grind the beans each morning

no Folgers for me

I don't want no decaf

I need to be awake to see

the milk go in

I can never get enough

of my coffee cup

my coffee cup

          some people, they drink water

          some people, they drink tea

          but I don't think about them

          coffee's good enough for me

give me lots of caffeine

a dash of half and half

a nice glass of orange juice?

don't make me laugh!

it helps me be the big dog

when I'm feeling like a pup

it's my coffee cup

my coffee cup

when my life is over

when my time is near

when I leave this life

and get out of here

I'll ask mister Saint Peter

won't you fill me up?

I'm talking 'bout 

my coffee cup

my coffee cup

map on the wall

there is a map on the wall

of the planet earth

it came from National Geographic

it shows me oceans

far-off lands

but the tale it tells is tragic

there are so many places

I'll never go

so many people

I'll never know

but I look at it everyday

there is a map on the wall

of the whole wide world

of countries I will never see

I look at it and think about

all that I have done without

the traveler I could be

going places 

without fear

breathing foreign atmospheres

I look at it everyday

there is a map on the wall

of the planet I call home

though a pinpoint is all I'll ever know

but I still dream and fantasize

what I can't see with my own eyes

about places I'll never go

but my mind is active

and I can see

their images reach out to me

I look at it everyday

as it calls me to obey

the map on the wall

my hashpipe (rewrite one)

my hashpipe talks to me

whenever I'm alone

it shows its charming self to me

it tells me "come on home"

and I try not to obey it

and not let it rule my life

but eventually I come around

because it knows what's right

my hashpipe knows

my inner thoughts

thorny roses

and forget-me-nots

it's always fits my type

my hashpipe

my hashpipe is my weakness

but I consider it my friend

it knows how to comfort me

when my day is at an end

I know it ain't no big thing

and it won't get in my way

which is why I use it

every single goddamn day

my hashpipe knows

just who I am

stuck inside

this traffic jam

it lives up to the hype

my hashpipe

          I know I'm not addicted

          I can stop any time I choose

          but if I keep going

          I can't lose

my hashpipe is my best friend

it will not let me down

which is why I need it

whenever it's around

maybe I overuse it

but I can't help myself

I haven't found anything

that works quite as well

my hashpipe, it

can keep me sane

it's almost like

my middle name

calls me in the darkest night

my hashpipe

how I love

its guiding light

my hashpipe

my hashpipe

my hashpipe talks to me

whenever I'm alone

it shows its charming self to me

it tells me "come on home"

and I try not to obey it

try not to let it rule my life

but eventually I come around

because it knows what's right

my hashpipe knows

my inner thoughts

thorny roses

and forget-me-nots

it's always fits my type

my hashpipe

my hashpipe knows my secrets

I consider it my friend

it knows how to comfort me

when my day is at an end

I know it ain't no hard drug

that won't get in my way

which is why I use it

every single goddamn day

my hashpipe knows

just who I am

stuck inside

this traffic jam

it's always there in sight

my hashpipe

my hashpipe is my best friend

it will not let me down

it always helps me feel at peace

whenever it's around

maybe I overuse it

but I can't help myself

I haven't found anything

that works quite as well

my hashpipe, it

can keep me sane

it's almost like

my middle name

calls me in the darkest night

my hashpipe

how I love

its guiding light

my hashpipe

coffee cup

I see you every morning

and you make me grin

thinking today

is my big chance to win

you greet me with a silence

that I can't explain

you punctuate the atoms

inside of my brain

what is this thing I'm thinking of

that brings me joy and true, true love

you know I can't get enough

of my coffee cup

mister so and so

I am happy to meet you/ how do you do/ I'm sure they told you about me/ can you believe you've lived your life/ living here without me/ my humor, you know, is a little bit dry/ but give it a little time and I/will become the one you will know/ I'm mister so and so

tell me your secrets

tell me your secrets

and I'll tell you mine

as we both settle into

this place and time

where we place our trust

in the pain that we hide

tell me your secrets

and I'll tell you mine

give me your troubles

set them aside

nobody knows

just how hard you've tried

a lifetime of working

that can't be denied

give me your troubles

set them aside

rainy day

I got a rainy day

I got nothing to do

but stay inside

with the likes of you

being together

is real nice

we get along

like beans and rice

so let's stay indoors

what do you say?

we got a rainy day

if you were in my movie (rewrite one)

if you were in my movie

you would win an Oscar

for playing the ex-lover

who just walked out the door

but in my script, you'd come back

and wouldn't leave again

and everything would be just

the way it was before

if you were in my movie

if you were in my movie

but life is not a movie

it's real

and it hurts

with my imagination

I could make you love me

I can do anything

inside my own mind

you wouldn't desert me

in my time of longing

under my direction

I won't be left behind

if you were in my movie

if you were in my movie

but life is not a movie

it's real

and it hurts

I don't like reality

I always end up losing

happy endings don't exist

in my real life

but if you would let me

I could show you something

a story on the big screen

that always turns out right

if you were in my movie

if you were in my movie

but life is not a movie

it's real

and it hurts

if you were in my movie

you would win an Oscar

for playing the ex-lover

who just walked out the door

if you were in my movie

if you were in my movie

you would win an Oscar

for playing the ex-lover

who just walked out the door

but in my script, you'd come back

and wouldn't leave again

and my life would be just

like it was back then

if you were in my movie

if you were in my movie

but life is not a movie

it's real

and it hurts

if you were in my novel

you'd win a Pulitzer Prize

for taking out the true parts

and replacing it with lies

but in my book, you'd be with me

with love forever true

and I would always cherish

the time I spent with you

if you were in my novel

if you were in my novel

but life is not a novel

it's real

and it hurts

if you were in my musical 

a Tony you would gain

for disregarding plot turns

and not mentioning my name

but in my play, you'd sing to me

and ease my troubled mind

instead I'm here stranded

after you left me behind

if you were in my musical

but life is not a musical

it's real

and it hurts

if you were in my movie

you'd win an Academy Award

coming of fall

(to the tune of Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar)

autumn has taken hold

and the sky outside is colder

and I am returning

to the home of my youth

no matter where I go

I'm the only one who knows

that the stars in the night

carry more than the truth

and the secrets within

dance to me again

and the silence reflects

what I'm feeling inside

the seasons will change

and I will rearrange

my ways of thinking

to the coming of fall

still the day before

I wake up every morning

to the same old day

old bad decisions

are leading to decay

ain't much to do

nothing more that I can say

nothing to talk about

but I'm going to talk about it anyway

all these things I can't ignore

I swear, it's still the day before

second cup of coffee

if I have a second cup of coffee

will the world come to an end

if I ignore all my work and errands

what will become of me, my friend

I know life is full of responsibility

I've learned that's the world's way

I must keep running ahead of myself

if I want to make it through the day

if I have a second cup of coffee

what will become of me

will I be a bum and a burden

for all the world to see

I must be responsible

and never veer the other way

if I have a second cup of coffee

life might not be okay

park

take a walk outside

to the park

people playing with balls

and dogs and children

me and my friend are carrying guitars

to play outdoors in the sun

this is what normal people do

in those pictures I see

in advertisements

having fun

being free

this is the weekend

and I am among these people

in a baseball cap and jeans

with a part of me that wonders:

can I be part of you?

can I belong?

the land of mediocre

I've got so much behind me

I try to stay ahead

but somewhere in the middle

is where I go instead

I'm trying to move forward

but I keep on falling down

to the land of mediocre

that's where I'm bound

now it's my turn (rewrite one)

the weeds grow tall

by that damned old barn

it's been here

fifty years or more

but still it stands

by what used to be a farm

but I still see the life

that was there before

          before my hair turned to silver

          before my soul began to yearn

          I know everything grows older

          now it's my turn

the roof is all tattered

walls have fallen down

there used to be horses

a long time ago

a handful of memories

are still hanging around

but it's the same old song

not one you would know

          back when living meant adventure

          back when I was meant to learn

          I know everything grows older

          now it's my turn

I am like that barn

cracked and withering away

for how long, I don't know

we're both up there in age

the building will crumble

and for me it's the same

for I, one day, too

will be going away

          away where I will live in sweet peace

          away where fire will not burn

          I know everything grows older

          now it's my turn

making plans

I am finished with waiting

for you to notice me

I am casting my eyes adrift

as far as I can see

I am leaving you behind

and all your history

I am making plans

now it's my turn

the weeds grow tall

by that damned old barn

it's been here

fifty years or more

but still it stands

by what used to be a farm

but I still see the life

that was there before

          before my hair turned to silver

          before my soul began to yearn

          I know everything grows older

          now it's my turn

that old barn's still there

though parts have fallen down

there used to be horses

a long time ago

a handful of memories

are still hanging around

but it's the same old song

not one you would know

          back when love meant a family

          back when I was meant to learn

          I know everything grows older

          now it's my turn

the weeds grow tall

but the barn still remains

for how long, I don't know

it's up there in age

and I am old, too

and for me it's the same

and I, one day, too

will be going away

          away where I will live in sweet peace

          away where the sun will not burn

          I know everything grows older

          now it's my turn

we drove in silence

we drove in silence

through the fields

we drove so fast

we couldn't see what grew where

there was a farmhouse, a barn

and some children

looks like someone had a life

going there

and I was thinking

I wished I lived here

I would do

what a normal person does

my life is

a song of sorrow

every answer

is "just because"

we drove in silence

me and my wife

we drove as fast

as people our age can drive

home was our destination

speeding north

on interstate 5

and I was thinking

if life were different

if I was new

maybe she would love me

like she used to do

maybe we'd be happy

like we were before

when every answer

was forevermore

we drove in silence

with the radio off

seems it always played

the same old song

one about freedom 

and glory and love

we just couldn't sing along

and I was thinking

there was someone inside me

and this news was told

that I could drive carelessly

off of this road

and over the cliffs

to the valley below

but still I drive on

in a minute, we're gone

and safely at home

away from

the other lives I have known

sometimes I'm a child

sometimes I'm a child

I can never tell when it's about to happen

sometimes it's when

I lie in bed

on a cold, lonely morning

or when I'm afraid

of other people

and what they can do

sometimes I'm a child

everything is clothed in fear

the world is a scary place

but that doesn't matter

because I am an adult

and I cannot give in

to these feelings of vulnerability

I cannot acknowledge weakness

I must be confident at all times

because if I'm not now

the monsters will come in

and destroy me

same old song

this is what you want

a quiet life on a country farm

wooden swing on the front porch

a rickety old barn

but this is where you are

a broken life in an uncaring city

you wanted more

it was a shame and a pity

          what happens to dreams

          they just fly away

          in the scattered leaves  

          of yesterday

          what happens to dreams

          they used to be here

          one by one they disappeared

          and now they're gone

          it's the same old song

this is what you want

a reason to live

a promise to work for

a chance to forgive

this is where you are

waiting for the war to cease

you wanted more

now you'll settle for inner peace

          you spend your life denying

          but still you keep on trying

          it's all you know how to do

          your heart is still open

          and you won't give up hoping

          that dreams sometimes come true

          what happens to dreams

          they just fly away

          in the scattered leaves

          of yesterday

          what happens to dreams

          they used to be here

          one by one they disappeared

          and now they're gone

          it's the same old song

everything was fine

everything was fine

until the news came

the doctor walked into the waiting room

and asked us to meet him in private

he told us about our daughter

and the world stopped

we could not pick up where we left off

we were deep in shock forever

will you have to operate?

the doctor looked into our tired eyes

and said it was too late

we will see you again

that's what I learned in church

and I believe it

that's the only way it could be

I used to crave life and living

but now I wait for the day

when we will be reunited

how I used to love living

when I had nothing to die for

wanting a friend

I am wanting a friend

anyone will do

just as long as I have

somebody to talk to

being alone all the time

is a crying shame

problem is, I

am the only one to blame

I am waiting for

my loneliness to end

I am wanting a friend

I am needing someone

to keep me company

somebody who will care

as far as their eyes can see

being alone all the time

is a crime and a sin

anyway, here I am

all by myself again

I'm tired of looking

for a way to pretend

I am wanting a friend

me first

me first

you can take care of yourself

from here on out

there ain't no one else

that I will attend to

that I will take care

that I would blindly

follow along anywhere

being with you

is not a blessing

it's a curse

from now on it's

me first

short walk today

I took a short walk today

out to the corner and back

and it may have been nice

but I don't know

because I never noticed

it's so strange

that you can go out in the world

with its details

of trees and houses and dogs

and never see these things

instead, I grumbled

about having to take this stupid walk

next time, 

I plan to take a second

and look around

and listen

and smell

and touch the concrete

with my shoes

next time

I plan to notice

I don't want to write

I don't want to write

I don't want to do anything

I just want to lay around

and watch the flowers grow

I have no idea

why I am just so lazy

but I guess that I'm

gonna suffer through it though

why do I have no ambition?

why are my talents so damn dry?

I do my best to give myself permission

but all I'm left with

is the question why

why am I so tired?

why am I so bored?

all of these questions

will not be ignored

the main thing is

whether wrong or right

no answer is in sight

I don't want to write

today

claim it now

I was waiting for you

by the front porch swing

I was looking for

a new song to sing

I was longing for

some good news to bring

when you showed up at my door

but you never showed up

I don't know what to do

my nails are all bitten

my mood is dark blue

my plans for today

are all ruined and through

I have no hope anymore

          but that's okay

          it's all right

          I still got

          Saturday night

          the whole weekend's 

          in sight

          right now

          I don't know how

          but I'm going to claim it now