Writing life

Ring All the Bells

March 26, 2016 — 2 Comments

Week 12 of #songaweek2016 already! I did a rough a cappella song this time, especially for Easter:

Ring all the bells that ever were, and are, and ever shall be

All that is fading, dying, falling, will land upon the light

Let the frozen thaw, let the dry seeds crack, let the ancient ones be born

All that is waiting, crying, calling, will make it through the night.

Everything that flies on broken wings

Everything that sorrowfully sings

Everything that hurts with hope and love

Everything that’s aching to become

Everything will breathe

everything will be

Speak every name that ever was and is and ever shall be

All that’s been hushed, ignored, forgotten, remembers the way home

Let the truth be told, let the tyrant rest, bring the wounded warrior peace

All that is crushed, war-torn, downtrodden, will rise from patient stone

Everything that flies on broken wings

Everything that sorrowfully sings

Everything that hurts with hope and love

Everything that’s aching to become

Everything will breathe

everything will be

Daylight Saving Time (Marching On)

March 22, 2016 — Leave a comment

We sprang forward last week. Because that’s what we do. I wrote this song on a gorgeous spring day, and recorded it on a snowy cold one. Ah, March.

Anyhoo, here it is, my song for week 11 of #songaweek2016.

the light and the birds are coming back

kids and the dog rolling in the grass

guess we’re happy here for another year

eggs in the coop laundry on the line

a fine-looking man who’s mine all mine

I’m a satisfied one for another month

tuck an hour away

get it back someday

pizzas in the oven, beer in the fridge

we’ll take a Friday night flight in the TARDIS

sweet sigh of relief for another week

the outside’s breezing through the house

blue sky getting scrubbed with fluffy clouds

think we’ll be okay for another day

tuck an hour away

get it back someday

marching, marching,

time keeps marching on

Still Moving

March 16, 2016 — 4 Comments

In spite of everything, I still believe . . .

Here’s my song for week 10 of #songaweek2016.

You’re the wind and

I’m the good girl

trying to keep her skirt in place

You’re the music

I’m the stoic

fighting the urge to dance

you are the light

but I’m trying to hide

You’re the bread and wine but I have to fast

you’re the question I’m afraid to ask

you’re the letting go, I can’t hold you in my grasp

but over, under, and right through everything

your still small voice still calls

You’re the road and I’m the traveler

you lay your body down

you make a way through wilderness

draw me to the next horizon

spread your spirit out

You’re the paper I’m the pen

you give me space to think

let me bleed all over you

and you wear the mess like it means something

You’re the wave and I’m the sand

I’m trying to stand firm

but you keep on changing me

 

Lullaby for Climbers, Elephants and Divers (Shhh)

March 1, 2016 — Leave a comment

It’s already week eight of #songaweek2016! Here’s my song:

Climb up on compassion’s lap and have a good cry

Don’t be afraid to tell her how you’re afraid to die

Everybody feels it

no matter what they know

everybody wonders

where their last thoughts go

Shhh, shhhh

A pile of poached ivory burned in sacrifice

Some things should not be bought or sold at any price

Every year’s a circle

Every day’s a spin

We’re angel demons dancing

On the head of a pin

Shhh, shhhh

Maybe like an aging star you will expand

Grow brighter, hotter, stronger before the end

Shhh, shhhh

Dive down to the deeps of doubt, let the dark surround

Lose yourself where you started out, wait to be found

Let the waves wash over

let the great fish come

be swallowed whole

by this strange new home

 

Kind

February 9, 2016 — 5 Comments

It snowed a lot last week here in Loveland. And I came across a photo of my college boyfriend. And I had a very sore throat but I still needed to write a song for the week.

And favorite old quotations from disputed sources make great song bridges.

And I love making music with Nathan Bloom.

Here’s my song for week 5 of Song a Week 2016:

It’s snowing outside like a blanket over everything

And you’re on my mind

We once loved like children headed for a diamond ring

And then we trailed off

Now I’m happy with the path my life has taken

And you’re looking fine

But there were twists and turns where I was mistaken

Some extra miles I wish I had walked

If I had it now to do over I’d be kind

I would treasure your heart, and spend less time prospecting mine

If I had it now to do over, I’d be kind.

Back in junior high things were cut and dry

Everybody just understood

There were kids who always got laughed at

And kids who always looked good

I was never the one leading the charge

But I was fine to just stand around

And watch the uncool kids taking the hits

Keep their position close to the ground

If I had it now to do over I’d be kind

I would treasure their hearts, and spend less time prospecting mine

If I had it now to do over, I’d be kind.

Be kind, for everyone you meet

Is fighting a great battle.

The world outside’s all snowy like an empty page

And I’m ready to write

Your best days are never behind you

Unless you turn your back on your life

And all the people you want to have close to you

Are as close as they’re gonna come

You only need to reach out your hands

and take the hands reaching back for your own

We have each other right here, right now, let’s be kind

I’ll try to treasure your heart, spend less time prospecting mine

While we’re standing here in this moment I’ll be kind.