Starting Block (2021)

I’m staring at paper. And it stares back

 

I’m trying to think of think of something clever to write

maybe there's meaning in the clean symmetry and familiar scale of the pristine sheet

absent a humans petty blather, devoid of some self important message,

or juvenile emotion

 

Potential

​

That's it. I’ll frame a blank page and call it potential –

or maybe the label is too easy; I’ll let the unmarred blankness speak for itself 

 

What a load of crap.

I'm grasping at straws trying to make an artistic statement out of anything

I suppose someone could sell the concept

with some effort and charisma they'll talk about infinite possibilities:

how the empty page is ready to receive poetry, mathematical calculations, or an artists sketch...

​

or a grocery list; or note that says be right back; or be made into a paper airplane...

 

or maybe they'll promote some comparison of the fibers in the paper

to the tangled and chaotic inter-relatedness of everything

and at the same time claim the uniform clean page

reflects the apparent order and stability of the universe

​

or perhaps they might drone on about the page being manufactured by man

from materials in nature to be used by man to reflect nature

in abstractions of words or images

​

Yup, some creative type could come up with an angle

to make a few bucks from a sheet of standard eight and a half by eleven--

 

but I am not a salesman. ​I’m just staring. At paper

​

Cross Town (2021)

downtown push to open 1-800 welcomes you overnight alterations

ice cold students free authentic cuisine  supersize imports one hour

do not block New York style 24 szechuan  while you wait fresh brewed

as seen on tv why pay more we deliver no parking no standing no  stopping

 

quarters only smoke free exhibition to 6pm for lease ticket holders

buy one new low rates shopping district get one free farm fresh primates

tee shirts catch the fever impressionists news 4 now online magazines

souvenirs stadium scenic view do not merge no turn on red no crossing 

 

​

Choices (2021)

​

I can turn in any of three hundred fifty-nine degrees

 

So many websites now I think I understand infinity

But the  thousand cable channels- some I'm told that I must see,

make the TV seem alive, and the remote is changing me

 

Choices. So many choices

 

Some are entertained, some folks are enlightened

But mostly what I see on TV leaves me kind of frightened.

 

They call it surfing even though we sit  almost completely still 

 We’re nearly comatose and yet we haven't had our fill

More potent and effective than a dozen sleeping pills,

maybe the media has finally broken our collective will.

 

In My Movie

You really sock it to me-- like Toshiro Mifuni, Baby

When you read your part
your heart speaks to me
you look at the lens
and you see right through me
though everything’s at stake
you only need one take

can you hear me?
Do you see me?
I think I’m dreaming
Like Fellini
I Want you in my movie;

I need you in my movie

I hafta hafta hafta hafta  have you in my movie

You’re the story you’re the passion you’re the fire you’re the flame

I need you in my movie -every reel and every frame.

​​​

Your style Is on the money
Like Marcello Masroiani, Honey
quiet on the set
while the paint is still wet
its a bet you won’t regret
Its as real as fake will get

​

All I can do is stare when you go-go-go

Like when I'm mesmerized by Jean Cockteau

It would be-  It would be- 

It would be way Groovy if you'd be in my movie, Sugar.
 

Strong Coffee (2021)

​Strong coffee. A cup to go.

Potent Java, Mighty Joe.

​

No cream or sugar

I'll take it black

My get-up and go-

is comin' back

 

Wide awake

On the make

Liquid ambition.

Use it for good,for goodness sake.

​

That place with new-age music and over-stuffed chairs;

I'm sure it's very nice, but you wont find me there

I got things to do: I can't wait

or run late,I'll only hesitate- 

for strong coffee.

​

The Fox (Instrumental)

​

​​Speaking Human

Am I speaking Human?

Am I speaking Human- Am I?

- I am.

I am speaking Human.

I am speaking Human- I am.

​

Formula Two (Instrumental)

​

The Solipsism twist   

Come on, come on, come on, come on-

Well, come on everybody,

and do the solipsism twist ...

[Oh, what am I doing? I forgot again...

Who am I even talking to?]

​

Almost Being

​Human.

​Almost being.

Never looking; Never seeing.

​Motion, without meaning

Dancing, without feeling

Conscious without thinking.

Human.

Almost being.

Almost.

​

The Dream (Instrumental)

​

​All Of The People

You found  contradiction makes a good distraction

and your total fiction has been gaining traction

So far each deception's passed without detection

One day some will question your real intention

​

On that day when the games outplay you

the fights outweigh you the clocks delay you

friends betray you and disobay you

Victims say they will all repay you

​

You can't fool all of the  people

All of the time.

​

There'll be no more laughin'

and no more jokin'

once the people have awoken

to the lies you have spoken

They'll leave you bent,

They'll leave you broken.

​

​

They Laughed

​They Laughed, at the institute,

But... who's Laughing now?

​

​Action Item X (Instrumental)

​

Figure You Out

​Are you everybody's friend-- or just pretending?

We'll get it sorted out before the happy bitter ending

Friend or foe? I don't know,

but major change is coning soon to shake the status-quo

I-I-I-I'm  gonna figure you out.

​

You call me cynical, overly critical,

when everything you do seems calculated and political

Each syllable you speak-- is open to question--

Are these words to believe --  or more layers if deception?

I-I-I-I'm  gonna figure you out.

​

​​​Big House

The misic's playin' loud and there quite a rowdy crowd at the big house

Part museum, party, cruise, circus, thrill ride and a zoo-- that's the the big house

And while the basement kinda stinks from a ton of spilled drinks at the big house

It's clear this here is the party of the year at the big house

​

If you keep the pace light, you may be all right all night at the big house

Sample food from other nations or exotic new libations at the big house

The band has got a funky rhythm- everybody's groovin' with 'em at the big house.

Its a multi-generational gyrating congregation at the big house (What? Wha'd he say?)

​

Big House

​

Dress is casual or formal, be prepared for the abnormal at the big house

You never know what you'll observe at the wildlife preserve they call the big house

You can dance like a fool, or play it cool old school at the big house

Dancers shimmy and shake till the seismographs break-- someone yells, "Earthquake"--

Its a common mistake at the big house.

 

Big House

​

​​​Dirt and Gravel (Instrumental)

​

Thanksgiving (2021)

The nightly news-- in images and sound

show the suffering and pain of lives turned upside down

I've had my bumps, but now I realize

how good fortune and good people cut my troubles down to size

 

so I give thanks, show gratitude

I'll face all my challenges with a more positive attitude

​I'm grateful, humbled, by those who stopped to move me forward

and helped me when I stumbled

​

I give thanks, I'm giving thanks, I am truly thankful

 

Ive got my health--

or most of it anyway

a coupla pounds a few aches and pains

but I cant complain

 

I got a job, purpose, a reason for the race

I like to think some things I do help make the  world a better place

I try to make the most of both the good times and headaches

being humble in success and learning from mistakes

 

I got some money, a little bit anyway,

enough for rent and the bills, and maybe a rainy day

Ive got friends, loved ones, family;

I get a lump in my throat when I think of what all of them mean to me

 

I try each day to do whats right

but I'm not sure I deserve this much goodness in my life  

​

​You Are The Holiday (2021)

More than any store front window can display

more than any season's greeting- come my way

more than anything you'll find in Santa's sleigh:

you are the holiday

​

Your smile always takes away the chill,

Faster even than a yuletide fire will

Every wish that I could wish for-- you fullfil

You are the holiday

​

More than all the presents wrapped and hid away

more than the best wishes any card might say

more than the sentimental songs you hear all night and day

You are the holiday

​

I watch the brilliant sparkle of your eyes tonight,

outshining all the neighbors brightly colored lights

making every moment glow until we say goodnight

You are ..yes You are You're the holiday

​

​

Tight Right (Instrumental)

​

Mod Bop (Instrumental)

​

​

Starting Block (2021)

I’m staring at paper. And it stares back

 

I’m trying to think of think of something clever to write

maybe there's meaning in the clean symmetry and familiar scale of the pristine sheet

absent a humans petty blather, devoid of some self important message,

or juvenile emotion

 

Potential

​

That's it. I’ll frame a blank page and call it potential –

or maybe the label is too easy; I’ll let the unmarred blankness speak for itself 

 

What a load of crap.

I'm grasping at straws trying to make an artistic statement out of anything

I suppose someone could sell the concept

with some effort and charisma they'll talk about infinite possibilities:

how the empty page is ready to receive poetry, mathematical calculations, or an artists sketch...

​

or a grocery list; or note that says be right back; or be made into a paper airplane...

 

or maybe they'll promote some comparison of the fibers in the paper

to the tangled and chaotic inter-relatedness of everything

and at the same time claim the uniform clean page

reflects the apparent order and stability of the universe

​

or perhaps they might drone on about the page being manufactured by man

from materials in nature to be used by man to reflect nature

in abstractions of words or images

​

Yup, some creative type could come up with an angle

to make a few bucks from a sheet of standard eight and a half by eleven--

 

but I am not a salesman. ​I’m just staring. At paper

​

Cross Town (2021)

downtown push to open 1-800 welcomes you overnight alterations

ice cold students free authentic cuisine  supersize imports one hour

do not block New York style 24 szechuan  while you wait fresh brewed

as seen on tv why pay more we deliver no parking no standing no  stopping

 

quarters only smoke free exhibition to 6pm for lease ticket holders

buy one new low rates shopping district get one free farm fresh primates

tee shirts catch the fever impressionists news 4 now online magazines

souvenirs stadium scenic view do not merge no turn on red no crossing 

 

​

Choices (2021)

​

I can turn in any of three hundred fifty-nine degrees

 

So many websites now I think I understand infinity

But the  thousand cable channels- some I'm told that I must see,

make the TV seem alive, and the remote is changing me

 

Choices. So many choices

 

Some are entertained, some folks are enlightened

But mostly what I see on TV leaves me kind of frightened.

 

They call it surfing even though we sit  almost completely still 

 We’re nearly comatose and yet we haven't had our fill

More potent and effective than a dozen sleeping pills,

maybe the media has finally broken our collective will.

 

In My Movie

You really sock it to me--

    like Toshiro Mifuni, Baby

 

When you read your part
your heart speaks to me
you look at the lens
and you see right through me
though everything’s at stake
you only need one take

Can you hear me?
Do you see me?
I think I’m dreaming
Like Fellini
I Want you in my movie;

I need you in my movie

I hafta hafta hafta hafta  have you in my movie

You’re the story, you’re the passion, you’re the fire, you’re the flame--

I need you in my movie -every reel and every frame.

​​​

Your style Is on the money
Like Marcello Masroiani, Honey
quiet on the set
while the paint is still wet
its a bet you won’t regret
Its as real as fake will get

​

All I can do is stare when you go-go-go

Like when I'm mesmerized by Jean Cockteau

It would be-  It would be- 

It would be way Groovy if you'd be in my movie, Sugar.
 

Strong Coffee (2021)

​Strong coffee. A cup to go.

Potent Java, Mighty Joe.

​

No cream or sugar

I'll take it black

My get-up and go-

is comin' back

 

Wide awake

On the make

Liquid ambition.

Use it for good,for goodness sake.

​

That place with new-age music and over-stuffed chairs;

I'm sure it's very nice, but you wont find me there

I got things to do: I can't wait

or run late,I'll only hesitate- 

for strong coffee.

​

The Fox (Instrumental)

​

​​Speaking Human

Am I speaking Human?

Am I speaking Human- Am I?

- I am.

I am speaking Human.

I am speaking Human- I am.

​

Formula Two (Instrumental)

​

The Solipsism twist   

Come on, come on, come on, come on-

Well, come on everybody,

and do the solipsism twist ...

[Oh, what am I doing? I forgot again...

Who am I even talking to?]

​

Almost Being

​Human.

​Almost being.

Never looking; Never seeing.

​Motion, without meaning

Dancing, without feeling

Conscious without thinking.

Human.

Almost being.

Almost.

​

The Dream (Instrumental)

​

​All Of The People

You found  contradiction makes a good distraction

and your total fiction has been gaining traction

So far each deception's passed without detection

One day some will question your real intention

​

On that day when the games outplay you

the fights outweigh you the clocks delay you

friends betray you and disobay you

Victims say they will all repay you

​

You can't fool all of the  people

All of the time.

​

There'll be no more laughin'

and no more jokin'

once the people have awoken

to the lies you have spoken

They'll leave you bent,

They'll leave you broken.

​

​

They Laughed

​They Laughed, at the institute,

But... who's Laughing now?

​

​Action Item X (Instrumental)

​

Figure You Out

​Are you everybody's friend-- or just pretending?

We'll get it sorted out before the happy bitter ending

Friend or foe? I don't know,

but major change is coning soon to shake the status-quo

I-I-I-I'm  gonna figure you out.

​

You call me cynical, overly critical,

when everything you do seems calculated and political

Each syllable you speak-- is open to question--

Are these words to believe --  or more layers if deception?

I-I-I-I'm  gonna figure you out.

​

​​​Big House

The misic's playin' loud and there quite a rowdy crowd at the big house

Part museum, party, cruise, circus, thrill ride and a zoo-- that's the the big house

And while the basement kinda stinks from a ton of spilled drinks at the big house

It's clear this here is the party of the year at the big house

​

If you keep the pace light, you may be all right all night at the big house

Sample food from other nations or exotic new libations at the big house

The band has got a funky rhythm- everybody's groovin' with 'em at the big house.

Its a multi-generational gyrating congregation at the big house (What? Wha'd he say?)

​

Big House

​

Dress is casual or formal, be prepared for the abnormal at the big house

You never know what you'll observe at the wildlife preserve they call the big house

You can dance like a fool, or play it cool old school at the big house

Dancers shimmy and shake till the seismographs break-- someone yells, "Earthquake"--

Its a common mistake at the big house.

 

Big House

​

​​​Dirt and Gravel (Instrumental)

​

Thanksgiving (2021)

The nightly news-- in images and sound

show the suffering and pain of lives turned upside down

I've had my bumps, but now I realize

how good fortune and good people cut my troubles down to size

 

so I give thanks, show gratitude

I'll face all my challenges with a more positive attitude

​I'm grateful, humbled, by those who stopped to move me forward

and helped me when I stumbled

​

I give thanks, I'm giving thanks, I am truly thankful

 

Ive got my health--

or most of it anyway

a coupla pounds a few aches and pains

but I cant complain

 

I got a job, purpose, a reason for the race

I like to think some things I do help make the  world a better place

I try to make the most of both the good times and headaches

being humble in success and learning from mistakes

 

I got some money, a little bit anyway,

enough for rent and the bills, and maybe a rainy day

Ive got friends, loved ones, family;

I get a lump in my throat when I think of what all of them mean to me

 

I try each day to do whats right

but I'm not sure I deserve this much goodness in my life  

​

​You Are The Holiday (2021)

More than any store front window can display

more than any season's greeting- come my way

more than anything you'll find in Santa's sleigh:

you are the holiday

​

Your smile always takes away the chill,

Faster even than a yuletide fire will

Every wish that I could wish for-- you fullfil

You are the holiday

​

More than all the presents wrapped and hid away

more than the best wishes any card might say

more than the sentimental songs you hear all night and day

You are the holiday

​

I watch the brilliant sparkle of your eyes tonight,

outshining all the neighbors brightly colored lights

making every moment glow until we say goodnight

You are ..yes You are You're the holiday

​

​

Tight Right (Instrumental)

​

Mod Bop (Instrumental)

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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