Night Bugs- G Clair

Stood on the ledge of my sleepy blue sorrow
back from the edge, guess I'll see you tomorrow
can't lie, not the first time I'm thinking of you
but the night bugs are out, life's distractions will do

I looked to the west as the day slowly faded
turned up the volume of cricket and katydid
rhythm rubs life in the darkness outside
steer clear of the blue light or get yourself fried

With the zapper you took out the skeeters and flies
while spiders and ants faced the raider's demise
yellow jackets and wasps, you chased from their hives,
but these night bugs are here for the rest of our lives
bittersweet bugs for the rest of our lives

Back in the house now, I roll down the screen
protecting myself from the lurking unseen
from the critters, which drawn by the lure of the light
make feast in their famine on food, flesh and fright

we handle the things that intrude in our spaces
the bugs in the dark and the unwanted faces
we roll down the screens and we listen to voices
those sweet summer sounds, and this night bug rejoices

With the zapper you took out the skeeters and flies
while spiders and ants faced the raider's demise
yellow jackets and wasps, you chased from their hives,
but these night bugs are here for the rest of our lives

too many months have passed without hearing
the music which blends with the night bugs I'm fearing
I nearly lost hope for those sounds in my life
but these night bugs revive good ol' summertime strife
bittersweet bugs, for the rest of my life

Stood on the ledge of my sleepy blue sorrow
back from the edge, guess I'll see you tomorrow
can't lie, not the first time I'm thinking of you
the night bugs are out, life's distractions will do

the impressionist- G Clair

When he speaks, I hear the sound,

a president who's been around

speaking of the wife with cankle

not that she could care to rankle

Yo, BT, he fights for freedom

Rocky would be pleased to meet him

late at night when lights are lunar

on the road back home, a crooner

fools rush in, no longer Bing

the king of rock, old Pop can sing

a whispered line from any song

but suddenly I'm in the wrong

and one tough stooge I hear he bought a

tommy gun, and "why I oughta"

tell you something you don't know

it's Ahnold Schwanal ho dee doe

and then another voice will join

it's Raymond with his tenderloin

this sailor's gal has quite a name

he cooks his spinach in the same

a wealthy man on distant isle

who's wife is Lovey, makes me smile

Every single voice he's got

is good but when he's best it's not

the person he'll impressionate

but his own voice...it's getting late

but wait, there's more, but I am spent

on telling of the way it went

or so it goes and what'll come

the truth is, well...I love the bum.

Heart Stinkin' Candy- G Clair

he takes the wheel, she's left standing there weeping

he won't turn back, it's just the way that he feels

it doesn't matter much, 'cause soon she'll be sleeping

time and again her heart heals.

waiting around, well she'll wait for a season

seasons will pass, thinks it's all in her head

she buys a calendar and ponders the reason

some things are best left unsaid.

This is her song, though the music is fleeting

and these are the sounds that are harder to sing

she'll write about it since there's nobody reading

nobody's hearing a thing.

another mistake with a miserable ending

questioning why she's left standing alone

she pours out her heart to the woman who's tending

life has a mind of it's own.

Here are some words from a girl who's been taken

leave him alone, don't be there when he phones

change your number and be done with the aching

you've got a life of your own...

you'll have a love of your own.

Prayer of St. Francis by Sarah MacLachlan

Quiet In the Hood - G Clair

misery has an upside but the company's not good

wh

en hurt won't come out in the wash, it's gonna come out in the hood

yellow tape is like a torch which leads all eyes to stare

what exactly happened here...who what when and where

we'd like to think it's not the norm while cops patrole the streets

we hope and pray somehow, some way, the crime rate will decrease

So where's your little brother, well today's his day in court

Kelvin likes to ride his bike, but peddles drugs for sport

He never knew his father and hates his mother's men

the gang he's in are more like kin, blood homies to the end

Seems Kelvin was elected to shoot a brotha dead

whose crime it seems was wearing jeans not blue, but crimson red.

The boy, he couldn't do it, said, "I ain't nobody's fool"

"I'll sell the drugs", he told these thugs, "but rather shoot some pool".

Granny's on the front porch settin' out to sweep

on a pathway to disaster, the bullet whizzes past her

and cuts through wood and plaster... to find the child in his sleep.

Kelvin's little cousin, he couldn't tell the time

he barely knew his numbers but could rap a nursery rhyme

They buried little Winston and Gran's not doin' good

his swingset is abandoned and it's quiet in the hood.

No one really plans to live a lowly life of crime

to drop out of society and soon be facin' time

those who lack a vision, who have yet to find their gift

need a hero and direction, not a handout, but a lift.

So go ahead and spraypaint walls, decorate abandoned halls

breakdance, shoot your basketballs, skateboard parks and crowded malls

Encourage all their hopes and dreams, lead them out of evil schemes

'cause life is not what it all seems when there's quiet in the hood.

Ditched- G Clair

The hillside before me rolled by like a wave

and awash in my thoughts, still I noticed the grave

the headstone was tilted and covered in rot
a memory of someone forgotten, but not.

The scene triggered feelings which drew me way back
to a time when I dwelt in a one bedroom shack
the love of my life had grown cold, and despairing,
my heart shriveled up like an unpickled herring

I remembered thereafter, and oh, what a mess
I led me to places too dark to confess,
dying for flowers from somebody dear
I'd fill up my window box year after year.

and soon the depression grew into a hedge
though flowering plants kept me back from the ledge
'I'll never be happy!' I quite often thought
a forgotten old headstone all covered in rot.

I swore if I ever recovered again
I'd wait for the right one, the Boaz of men
but for all of the damage, the shape my heart's in
I'd be blessed if he'd notice, so how could I win?

With all of these memories weighing me down
I slapped myself silly and turned up the sound
and opened the windows to let in some air
the sun on my face and then suddenly...glare!

I veered off the highway which cut through the land
a two lane construction of asphalt and sand
took the embankment at an ungodly pitch
and suddenly airborne, shot over a ditch

Landing my vessel across the divide
I hoped for the best for it's brave underside
the dust settled soon, and how foolish I felt
Thank God I'd remembered to buckle my belt.

And there in the front seat, assessing my plight
dazed, but amazed at this beautiful sight
as 'Love is a Battlefield' blared in the grime
Wildflowers grew in the trenches of time!

You the forgotten who languish for years
ditched and bedraggled and drained of your tears
thinking you're nothing, a sunset that's fading
grieving love lost while your best years are waiting

Tend to your gardens wherever they are
keep yourselves fresh with the watering jar
Remember, like flowers, the wild ones too
your maker, your husband, will take care of you.

For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
Isaih 54:5

Icicle- G Clair

Went out walkin' in the snow
slipped on the black ice
and down I did go
I tried to get up
but it was too
slick and so
I lay there
freezing
feeling
s-sick
I felt
like
an
I
C
E
C
I
C
L
E
but
then
a nice
man with
warm hands
reached down
and lifted me up
he held me close and
warmed me in his strong
arms. It had seemed to him
that I looked more like a snowman.


In a while, I was looking more like a puddle.

Fat Back-, Front Roll- G Clair

Oh,
my love
you know I long for you to hold me
though
my love
it seems your arms cannot enfold me

I got a
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
Oh

and when
you tell me
that I am just the way you need me
tell me truly
is it the carbs or fat you feed me

you gimee
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
Oh

(bridge)

And it's true
that when we sleep, I lie behind you
and it's true
the morning sun can never find you

i got a
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
Oh

i love your
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
fat back
front roll
yeah
yeah
yeah

fat back
baby baby
Front roll
Mamma Mamma
Fat back
Daddy Daddy
oh
oh
oh

Fat Back

Certain - G Clair

He takes her love to meet his need
this bachelor is a selfish breed
she'll tolerate his cruelty for affection;
She's walked on eggshells, feeling sad
and breaking down she sees her dad
but why the anger, why all the correction?

Locked inside her cloud of love
so aimlessly she'll float above
the memories- each time his rage exploded;
and never being good enough
perplexed at why he seems so gruff
when only yesterday he swooned and doted.

She, the ever-loving type
would jump to fix his every gripe
and dance around him while his heart was hurtin'
believing then, "it must be me"
the source of all his angst, you see
but now she knows the truth, of this she's certain.

Taking one last chance she'll try
to reach out to this troubled guy
and longing to become his heart's desire
staged to win his softer side
she'll do her best to smile and hide
the fear, this saintly dear, her heart's a liar.

Never will there ever be
a stable point where they are free
to be, although she'd hoped their love was certain;
the disapproval in his eyes
is something she should recognize
it's been disguised until the final curtain.

Bad Hair Nightmare- G Clair

I asked for the color I had as a child
"Don't think so", he said, and that's putting it mild
I went to get up from the chair but soon found
the weight of that bib thing was weighing me down

the eyes of the stylist, so cold and unkind
were narrowing as he approached from behind
in his hand he held something we both recognized
'twas the braid from my worst childhood fear realized!

The one he'd cut off right here at the neck
and left me there wearing a 'shag', what the heck!
"You don't want this color, it's way too outdated
and what could be duller than the one God created?

What you need now is product I'LL mix
a light honey blond with some purple to fix
the damage you did with your cheap color tricks,
and the thing I hate MOST about all of you chicks!"

"Barberian justice would SNIP off your locks,
but you've suffered far worse when you turned to the box
and then to add insult you pulled through the cap
and expecting great highlights, got dried out straw crap!

Next time we'll just give you a 'shorty', it's called,
don't mess with my color...you may wind up BALD!

The Quest for Warmth G- Clair

captured there in orange, beneath the old street light
a cloud of breath exhaled, hangs heavy in the night
waiting on the 409 has never been this bleak
the fierce wind nips your ear lobe, and ice cold stings your cheek

I watch you turn your collar up, your back against the bite
one hand on that coffee cup, the other out of sight.
each morning getting colder, the forecast is for snow
in fleece and wool you face the frost, and how I'll never know

I see you’re green, my blue faced friend, the green before the fall
you've never been about the perks, it's conscience above all
the last thing on your mind just now would be to get a Lynx
traffic is lame, road rage insane, and air pollution stinks

don't EVEN get you started upon the SUV
spews out nitrous oxide and guzzles Texas tea
public parking, another rare find, for what you get they rob you blind
and what they miss, the vandal takes, leave you with migranes the car alarm makes

better for all we all take the train
or one car per family 'stead of one car per brain.
watching you stand there with ice crystals forming
Hypothermantic, you NEED global warming!

I know you ain't no girlyman, my ever-ready mate
but my duracel is waiting, and the 409 is late
I jump out from my hiding place, approaching from the rear
my work cut out, without a doubt, the ice lymric is near:

poetic license pending,
I call for a herione's ending
like a frozen filet
without word or delay
I can lift you without even bending

once inside and thawing, you start in about the gas
I turn down the heat, but turn up the seat that's warming up your carcass
and I'm certainly all for the planet, and all for your thinking what's best
but for mornings like these, with your jewels in a freeze, come with and we'll heat up the QUEST.

The Run Around- G Clair

He went around
and came around, and went around again
Then he came around, went back around
and came around again.

"What's with all the run-around?"
I asked my breathless friend
"What goes around, will come around
and right up to the end."

and holding back my laughter
I caught up with the clown
if it's women that you're after
just wait, they'll come around.

Been waiting my whole lifetime
and I don't think they see
that I can take them places
if they'd only come with me.

"Who runs this ride, you run beside,
and can't they cut the speed?"
"I have no clue, but maybe you
can jump this thing, and plead."

"One last run around, dear girl
it's worth the ride, you'll see
it won't be long, enjoy the song,
I'm a sick sorry son of a b."

I hopped aboard his dream machine
where ladies rode the poles
and pushed passed blown out bimbos
to the room which housed controls.

I peeked inside the window there
and much to my surprise
no one's mannin' anything on this
carousel of lies.

A sea of lovely lonelies
ride 'The Future' from the past
around again a few more times
our lives are fading fast.

Suddenly he's on the ground
and draggin' on his knees
with sweat upon his forehead,
I said, "Jackass, LET GO, please."

"One last run around, dear girl,
don't you worry none 'bout me
appreciate your deep concern
I'm a sick sorry son of a b".

Well, it took some major doing
to release his grip of fear
and then I jumped, and bruised and bumped
was finally in the clear.

"we've cashed in all our chips today,
but we'll be back, for more-
you push to run the Future
and I'm lonely to the core.

We hobbled from the Carn-evil,
my weary friend and me
what goes around will come around
DEAR GOD please set us free.

Misery Loves Company - G Clair

I took a walk with Misery
we've been walking for a while
sometimes he says I go too slow
but I'll go that extra mile.

We don't say much and that's okay,
I'm not much one for talking
Silence makes good company
though some might find that shocking.

Well Misery's been up and down
these old familiar roads
prefers to walk with strangers now
who'll kick against the goads.

He's seen his share of Trouble
it invites him in for tea;
he walks the sullen pathway home
alongside Sympathy.

They take the train quite often
and meet up at the bars
Self Pity's always waiting
with her bottle, wounds and scars.

They buy a round and toast the clown
whose always got one-liners
to keep the crowd distracted
from the sad-sack whining piners.

Adversity can test your will
and take away your smile
you might meet up with Misery
and settle for a while,

to dwell upon the negative
will limit where you go~
and stuck inside, you'll just abide,
and surely miss the show.

Reflecting on old Misery,
I've often let him lead
through disappointments,
heartache,
and my own uncertain need.

I slow my pace and let him pass,
and turning up the sound
I bid farewell to Misery,
it's time to turn around!

Muted- G Clair

In the muted blue glow
of your favorite late show
with the light
from the bathroom
left on~
I can make out your face
and it's hard
to erase
from my memory,
although
you are gone.

In our silence
a sweetness,
a comfort, it's true
needing less
to be said
meant much more~
we lived well
in our day
and had so much
to say
but your smile,
it just cut
to my core

As we sat
side by side on the sofa
'twas your hand
on my ankle
that said~
'I am here,
you are there,
there's no distance',
I swear
you still whisper
sweet nothings
in bed.

So forgive me
for getting
all sappy
but our late show
is on

you are there
in the hazy blue den
I can't hear Letterman

got him muted
so music can blare,

Sunset Love Song- G Clair

Reminding me of shorter days the orange globe sinks into haze
no longer casting heated rays but shadows on the beach
the warmth and softness of the sand beneath my back and in my hand
it cools as evening takes the land and sleep, within my reach

Words are written in my mind with colors I could only find
in sunsets which were left behind like paintings dried with love
I turn to face the laughing lush who paints the skies without a brush
and every stroke, poetic mush, which lingers high above

fiery red excites the soul and sets the mood in motion
orange and pink elicit sighs like a full moon on the ocean
streaks of purple are always fun and bring on the blue-green hues
a symphony is the setting sun but gimmee the midnight blues

I want to gaze into your glory tell me another story
oh bring on the colors don't let me sleep too long
I want to sing of Your greatness in spite of all my lateness
with all my quirks and troubles, you see in me no wrong

Oh God, you are amazing all creation should be praising
and I'll wait for you forever 'til the sun sets on my song
the days, they pass too quickly but sunset is the best
this moonless night, we hear the waves, which won't disturb our rest

Bottom of the Bay- G Clair

Staring into hazy eyes
I slowly start to realize
that you are several leagues away,
and now I understand~
Tried to solve the mystery
went looking for some history
I'd dive back down if just to see
and stir the sleeping sand.

We drown out all the pain we feel
far-away things seem not as real
but there's a ton of brokenness
on the bottom of the bay
weighted well to keep it down
in hopes that time would surely drown
the misery which hangs around
to cloud the dreary day.

I didn't know just what you felt
the searing fire, the burning welt
the scars of life, of loss and such
which numbed your spirit, hurt so much
and wounds so deep, they should have bled
attended to, would heal~ instead
they linger painlessly, you've said
in places way too deep to touch.

I feel the tug upon my fin
and draw a breath of water in
and surface here to find I've been
caught up in love's illusion.
you nearly dried me in the sun
and here I'm thinking 'so much fun'
but like all fish, I've come undone
awakened from delusion.

I'll never truly understand
for I'm a fish and you're a man
I swim in garbage, not my plan
it's only your pollution.
there is no way a fish will drown
I'll let the current take me down
just one more gem in Neptune's crown
I guess that's my solution.

I make my bed there in the deep
and on my watch, I rarely sleep
the nets they drag for memories,
I keep them all from catching~
the one's you've drowned there in a heep
the painful one's I'd rather keep
and as I swim this sea of *bleep*
none will be for snatching.

first surf lesson

High tide is making it's way to your door
while I on the sand feel the waves pound the shore
it's pulling me out and I'm wanting you more
it's high time and high tide is coming

the morning sun sparkles on waves the right height
you're finally here and I'm filled with delight
i can't help but hope that my suit's not too tight
In this light I'm a sight but not numbing.

we paddle out longing and wait for the ride
and filled with excitment, the stuff I can't hide
we'll take from each other whatever's inside
for the sea on my heartstrings is strumming

by noon I've been battered and ready to flee
I'm guessing you're feeling the need to break free
you take to the big waves, I'm burning for thee
if these breakers were ice you would melt them

Weary I let that old ride take me in
I float with the current, don't bother to swim
and soon I'm washed up on sand, for the win
and like high tide, I've worn out my welcome

Low tide is good 'cause we all need a break
we give till it hurts and quite often we take
and it's all for the best find those treasures and rest
cause it's low tide but high tide is coming

Heart Gallery- G Clair

Caught a glimmer of joy in his eyes 'twas so cold
as I left on that bus, he was smiling,
though the memory's quite old and the shimmer has dulled
it's a full-color, framed, out of filing.

Sepia pictures more often I hold
old negatives covered in grime
it's a shame, though foretold, we're all growing old
with limited space and less time.

Despite all the charm my countenance exudes,
these tattered old blinds can't conceal
soft light filters truth from my cheap platitudes
and the good from the dark stuff I feel.

and just when I've found that my heart's been around
and left beaten, embittered and cold
here's Walter Mitty, no sex in the city
self pity is making me old.

Over there in the closet, a huge bank deposit
I'm saving for something worthwile
been trusting the Lord, yet can never afford
that 'single and lovin it' smile.

The clock on wall tells me just where I stand
and it's chime brings the heartache of doom
as the seconds tick by I can't help but cry
all alone in my heart's old dark room.

Watching my step, I tread deep within
without the desire to save face
I gaze at a skin, done by guilt of that sin
in the light of God's love and sweet grace.

Though my heart is your home I've n'er let You roam
through the passages marked 'Do Not Enter'
they lead to the room where the waft meets the loom
forming poems wherein I am the center.

The fabric you see in that heap seems to weep
burdened down with my aches and my pains
I've asked that you'd heal all this stuff while I sleep
but I wake and the damage remains

Your spirit reminds me, at home in my heart
you've taken my sin to the grave
your pleasure to clean up, yet I must forgive
and let go of the garbage I save.

Afraid now to look any further for fear
we'll discover the worst yet to come
You tell me to follow, for You hold me dear
since we're no longer two now but one.

Beginning to see how I'd lost all my hope
when I left on that bus in the rain
I forgive him for not being able to cope
without love and the will to sustain.

You Lord, my comfort have been here within
you know how my heart is in shambles
You've rolled back the stone, I'm no longer my own
and you smile though my poetry rambles.

So welcome, my friend, yes it's been quite a while
since we've bathed in the sun and run free
got a mind for preserving your beautiful smile
in my state of the heart gallery!

What It's Not- G Clair

come on in to what is real, and I will make a nice hot meal and
you can turn the TV on, sit back, and watch the game that's on...
put your feet up on the chair and grab that blanket over there
I'll light a fire, stir the pot, don't get me wrong, it's what it's not

it's not that I you are all that great, but good enough, the hour is late
it's not that you are all that cold, but last I looked, we're getting old
it's not that I am in the need of someone here to bathe and feed
a homeless, worse, an invalid, a chatty friend or someone's kid

so come on in to what is real, and I will make a nice hot meal and
you can turn the TV on, sit back watch the game that's on...
put your feet up on the chair and grab that blanket over there
I'll light a fire, stir the pot, don't get me wrong, it's what it's not

It's not that I invite your gassing, true we've seen our best years passing
Frankly I have much preferred one's tendencies, like those, deferred
and even though I am not the type to get involved with TV hype
it's not that I'd could really care, or even stare were you not there

so come on in to what is real, and I will make a nice hot meal and
you can put the TV on, sit back and watch game that's on...
put your feet up on the chair and grab that blanket over there
I'll light a fire and stir the pot, don't get me wrong, it's what it'snot

It's not that I am tired of being... here alone, and never seeing
anyone of any kind, I might be lonely, but you'll find
that I am good at making due and if you think you have a clue
then any time you want the best of what it's not, please be my guest!

The One- G Clair

I'm told a man from Nazereth
had taken time to plan His death
from somewhere way before the birth of time
would be a thing worth finishing
for none could wear His wedding ring
until the final pardon for their crime.

And taken from the midst of sin
an undeserving place I'm in
beneath the cross, I stare up at The One
whose blood poured down that gruesome day
in pain the man was heard to say
with his last breath, "That's it, My Work is Done."

They took his body torn and dead
removed the thorns which pierced his head
and crying for this Man they'd come to love
wrapped him gently in the way
as was the custom of the day
without a doubt, they questioned God above.

Now placed inside a darkened tomb
and sealed in stone by soldiers whom
could not be caught asleep lest they would pay
but something happened as He planned
His tomb was somehow left unmanned
as angels rolled the stone aside that day.

So WHO IS THIS who claims to save
in three days risen from the grave
who paid a debt which we could n'er afford~
now written into history
He wrote the world a mystery
and solved it one day, cause that's my Lord.

Fulfilling every prophecy
the Only One my heart can see
is Jesus Christ, be sure you cannot hide
you'll face Him on your dying day
the One True Love who made a way
to cover and protect his precious bride.