this sad and beautiful planet

this sad and beautiful planet
keeps on spinning around
so beautiful I can barely stand it
so sad I must stand my ground

open letter to Townes Van Zandt

give me this small sacrifice
I only need some sound advice
tell me how to reach inside my soul
there's a story inside me
that I know no one can see
that is not under my control
you had the magic
it was in your fingertips
if you don't mind
I'd like to borrow it
I'm searching for a memory I don't know

cancel my subscription to the blues

I've tried everything
I've made all the right calls
but nothing's happening
and that ain't all
the days are longer
the pain is stronger
I'm starting to think
I don't belong here
get me out
I got nothing to lose
cancel my subscription to the blues

my mind's a-reeling
from all this hurt
I've looked for healing
but nothing works
the days are sadder
my thoughts are scattered
but in the end
I guess it doesn't really matter
I'm looking for another path to choose
cancel my subscription to the blues

          another day
          another night
          another chance for something
          not to turn out right

my heart's a-hurtin'
my brain's on fire
close the curtain 
'cause I believe it's time to retire
nothing is new here
nothing to do here
but I believe someday
I'll make it through here
give me a reason
I'm searching for a clue
cancel my subscription to the blues
cancel my subscription to the blues

missing Kerrville

the pine needles fall
on the cold hard ground
until my bare feet pick them up
and carry them around
I am standing at the campfire
waiting for the sound
of a hundred songs being sung
will you sing for me?

you don't have to be a turtle (rewrite)

so you've left your heart wide open
and the going's getting rough
you've spent your whole life hoping
someday you'll be good enough
to find someone who loves you
who won't put himself above you
I know it's natural to be afraid
but now you'll see some changes made

          you don't have to be a turtle
          but you need a shell
          to protect you from
          rejection
          you know, love's the highest hurdle
          so respect yourself
          take care of your heart

you're looking for a lover
to treat you the way you should
you're hiding undercover
while you search the neighborhood
I know that you've been waiting
up all night anticipating
feels like everything is going wrong
but someday all this will make you strong

         you don't have to be a turtle
          but you need a shell
          to protect you from
          rejection
          you know, love's the highest hurdle
          so respect yourself
          take care of your heart

I know it's hard now
but if you're willing to start now
you won't be standing apart now
love's gonna come your way

         you don't have to be a turtle
          but you need a shell
          to protect you from
          rejection
          you know, love's the highest hurdle
          so respect yourself
          take care of your heart

you are uneasy

you are uneasy
you are unable to rest
everything you've ever thought
is now second guessed
you're looking at me
hoping I am impressed
well, don't look at me
my mind is a mess
and a jumble of tumbling tears
falling down from my eyes
you are uneasy
but still capable of surprise

spider

outside my window
a spider is spinning a web
that looks to be the strongest web ever made
it's a giant circle
with lines and space to roam
all the insects should be afraid
because one day it's gonna catch them
steal their eggs and hatch them
and eat them for Sunday dinner
oh, what a wicked web we weave
when a spider does was he believes
this web is magic up his sleeve
the spider smiles proudly