The Son Will Rise

I’ve never enjoyed the heat of day, and tried to avoid the light,

It was easier to take what I wanted, in the dead of night,

I slept through the dawning, I hated the bright sunrise,

Night’s cloak of darkness was safer, to use my deceit and lies,

Like the others, my hopes were on a ferocious king,

If the Romans were driven out, prosperity it would bring,

Then the world would notice, and make up for years of loss,

But now I’ve had time to think, while I’m hanging on a cross,

I was curious about the stories I’d heard,

So I followed this man who taught the word,

I joined a group who was eager to hear,

He spoke boldly about God, his father, without any fear,

But there was more to learn, to our surprise,

He performed miracles right before our eyes,

At a wedding in Cana, Jesus was asked to provide more wine,

Normally it took money and lots of time,

I thought that was a strange request,

But he obliged his mother after a slight protest,

I watched the servants filling six waterpots,

And saw the ruler’s expression at what they brought,

Jesus was a man of action when there was a need,

He drove the merchants from the temple when he saw their greed,

The Jews were angry and wanted to know why,

“This is my father’s house,” was his angry reply,

During this time it seemed the world had gone mad,

People were hoping for a leader, someone strong and bad,

Jesus was popular among the people and drew great crowds,

But he talked of peace and heaven, and warned of being proud,

John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the one,

Who was sent by the Father, to die as his son,

I was seeing many miracles, yet I dared not believe,

For the crimes I had committed, great punishment I should receive,

I didn’t always follow Jesus, sometimes I stayed in town,

I could steal the most when Jesus wasn’t around,

Because I usually stole at night, I rarely saw the sun,

It was not until people began to wake, that my work was done,

I didn’t agree with Judas that Jesus should be turned in,

Despite my disbelief he was the Christ, I considered him my friend,

I was careless and got caught, stealing during the day,

Thrown into prison and left waiting, while Jesus was away,

There was news of the arrival of a new-found king,

It had to be Jesus, for I heard the hosannas ring,

He would overcome the Romans, with God at his side,

I wish I could have seen him then, but I was locked inside,

“Don’t worry,” said another thief, who was there with me,

“According to Judas, Jesus will hang for all to see,”

“That can’t be true, he’s done no wrong,” I said in dismay,

“We deserve what we got, we know crime doesn’t pay,”

In my dreams I saw my life, and I didn’t like what I could see,

I would taste the bitter cup of death, hanging on a tree,

I was nailed to a cross, along with the other thief,

 Another cross went up, I could feel the sorrow and grief,

I believe that Jesus was born to bring truth and grace,

Barabbas should have died, but Jesus took his place,

“Jesus, I deserve to die for the things I have done,

Lord, remember me when your kingdom comes,”

Tomorrow is another day, but I won’t see the rising sun,

I expect before the break of day, my life will be done,

Before I became a witness to the light,

I was a common thief who stole in the night,

At that time I didn’t understand the reason why,

An innocent man was condemned to die,

I’ve always known I’d die someday in terrible agony,

But I believe the Son will rise, in spite of you and me.

  

Dream Big, Little Girl

Dream big, little girl

For all the world,

Will be there when you wake,

I know you don’t want to sleep,

But tomorrow will just have to keep,

The stars are shining bright,

No, you can’t have a pillow fight,

I think it’s for the best,

That you get lots of rest,

You’ll be dancing around the stars soon,

And laughing at the moon,

Dream big, little girl,

Let your dreams unfurl,

The world needs your smile,

It’s been waiting awhile,

So in your dreams, dance and sing,

Help bring beauty to everything,

Perhaps an astronomer you’ll be,

Searching faraway worlds relentlessly,

Stretching your imagination into the night,

Letting your dreams take flight,

I know you’re looking for your special star,

The one that follows you wherever you are,

It’s there, keeping your wishes for another day,

While you dream, you’ll dance on the Milky Way,

And sprinkle stardust across the sky,

Count the falling stars that go by,

Just remember, while you are sleeping,

Angels will your heart be keeping,

So, dream big, little girl,

And let your dreams change the world.

When A Parent Leaves

My daughter’s tears greet me,

So I decide to be grimly silent,

Rather than probe and see,

What she harbors and doesn’t vent,

Perhaps this time it’s much the same,

With time suspended in her world,

I think she’ll tell me I am to blame,

For all the troubles that were unfurled,

Nothing is spoken as she stares,

While the tension between us builds,

Should I tell her I still care,

And try to break through her tearful shield?

Her teddy bear is tight within her grasp,

As she endures time that slips away,

All the reasons I left are under clasp,

Waiting to be discussed on another day.

Give Me Time To Earn My Wings

Are you the angel I talk to at night?

You’re right at my side when I turn out the light,

I encourage you to listen but I ignore what you say,

And yet you’re expected to guide me the “right” way,

I should be quiet for awhile and listen to you,

But I’m only human, so what else can I do?

I should be wiser and hold your words dear,

Because you speak the truth, I should have nothing to fear,

When you leave for a moment even in the night,

My heart watches for you, and keeps you in sight,

Are you the angel that hovers during the day?

Fanning me with your wings, keeping the heat away,

You’re playful as you flit and twirl around,

While I can only imagine my feet off the ground,

You’re forgiving when my words hurt deep,

 I don’t really want to give you reasons to weep,

But you’re one of the angels assigned to me,

Shielding me from demons protectively,

They’re always close by, urging me to run,

“Escape from your angel and have some fun,”

“Freely enjoying without someone holding you back,”

“You don’t have to stay on that one way track,”

The demons forget I’ve walked on that side,

I’ve scars and bruises all over my pride,

I eluded my angels while demons preened my vanity,

But like a prodigal son I returned to my sanity,

Worse for the wear, out of the muck and grime,

I stay closer to my angels, so much wiser this time,

I don’t always listen to those angelic voices,

And I blame only myself for unwise choices,

My angels guide me to those in need across the land,

And show me ways my heart can expand,

Are you one of those angels who’s constantly sharing,

And teaching me ways I can still be caring?

Whether an angel extraordinaire and wise,

Or still earning your wings while in human guise,

You’ve been patiently waiting while wisdom I acquire,

Becoming steel at last, hardened by the fire,

So if you’re my personal angel, or one of a troop,

Make way, I’m trying, to become one of your group,

For I like angels, butterflies, and fluttery things,

Just give me time to earn my wings.

When Love is Shallow, and Sometimes Deep

Although Amanda and I were married way too young,

 She’s still great and I insist her praises should be sung,

 But she’s really tired sometimes and I have needs,

Everyone knows a man is supposed to spread his seed,

I knew Amanda and I should be honest from the first day,

That there were things I needed to say,

I didn’t want misunderstandings, or her to have pain,

So I figured if the air was cleared, we’d both gain,

We cuddled, loved, kissed, and talked,

But when she complained too much I walked,

Right out to my car and down to the bar,

After a few drinks I wished upon the brightest star,

That’s when the idea hit me, it really made sense,

Two people always together becomes way too intense,

I make good money, and if I used my head,

There’s no reason to fight when I could be loving instead,

On my next business trip I met Kristi and liked her a lot,

She was witty and charming, but she was also distraught,

Her finance had broken their engagement so drinks I bought,

She wanted my advice so I told her what I thought,

“The pain of a breakup is one of the worst in your life,

Memories of the good times cut your heart like a knife,”

I told her she should go where her hurting heart led,

We talked and we drank, and I took her to bed,

We made love several times throughout the night,

And when the sun came up it still felt right,

“You’re beautiful,” I told her again and again,

“This is a good way for your new life to begin,”

“You can’t stop loving because when it feels right,

You see the world differently, in a special kind of light,”

We talked about our desires and our future plans,

A few sales trips later I put a diamond on her hand,

(To Be Continued)

When Love is Shallow (Part Two)

 I attributed my wandering to my romantic allure,

And Kristi was there now to calm and reassure,

I settled down with Amanda, with Kristi down the road,

Twice the loving was great, but twice the financial load,

I worked harder and my sales continued to grow,

But as children arrived, my funds still became low,

Although Amanda had only graduated from high school,

I decided I’d find her a job, even if she had to retool,  

With all three children in school all day,

There was no reason for her to stay and play,

“Amanda,” I said, “A wife’s duty is to support her man,

So you’re going to help, any way you can,”

“You do a good job at cleaning our abode,

You’re strong and healthy, you can share our load,”

“You can clean the houses of our busy friends,

There are three or four that I’d recommend,”

I loved Kristi more but I wanted to be fair,

Our two children were off and in child care,

I found her some work from an internet source,

With a few ads here and there, she became a force,

She would make sales to the desperate and old,

“Forget your conscience,” I said, “you’ve got to be bold,”

“Promise them they’ll make thousands per day,”

She learned to take what they had and then slip away,

They were both bringing in money like most wives should,

In fact, I thought the three of us were really doing good,

So I began to dress better, for the sake of the company,

That’s when I met the owner’s daughter, a beauty named Shari,

She was spoiled by her father, rotten to the core,

She usually got what she wanted, and a little bit more,

Now I was trying to have fun, maybe flirt and that’s all,

But she thought we should go out and have a ball,

Shari wanted to have her way, I said, “Oh, no, you’re not,”

“We’ll do things my way, a man should call the shots,”

My life was getting complicated, but what could I do?

My love had grown large enough, to include Shari too,

Amanda and Kristi kept the fires burning at home,

And Shari was possessive enough to not let me roam,

My life was organized and nobody was out of line,

My wives were contented and my kids were just fine,

(To Be Continued)

When Love Is Shallow   (Part Three)

But Shari grew too possessive and for no reason or rhyme,

Decided to hire a detective to account for my time,

 At first the search was not successful, but after several tries,

She discovered Amanda, and wanted to scratch out her eyes,

After talking to Amanda, Shari began to understand,

I was successful, courteous, and a faithful kind of man,

“Larry’s always treated me like his special wife,”

Insisted Amanda, “He’s made me happy with my life,”

 

Because I had treated her well for over twenty years,

She’d stay with me forever and not shed any tears,

The detective reported that I had more children and a spouse,

So Shari went charging up to the door of Kristi’s house,

Shari screamed, “You’re not the only woman in his life,”

Kristi countered, “How many homes don’t have any strife?”

“I’ve always felt loved, he’s a family man who cares,

I can’t imagine leaving Larry, and I’m willing to share,”

Kristi and Shari talked through the evening and into the night,

They compared their lives and all the things they thought right,

Soon they were laughing and carrying on like lost friends,

They enjoyed each other’s company so much, that Shari moved in,

There was no fighting, legal and moral issues were put aside,

They decided there would be two households where they could abide,

On special occasions and holidays the families would meet,

They would sit down and talk before they would eat,

I’m a very successful salesman for a large corporate group,

I’m as honest as a salesman can be, according to the latest scoop,

“He’s a family man,” says the chairman, with a sly little wink,

“His growing family is happy, who cares what people think?”

(To Be Continued)

When Love is Shallow (Part Four)

Shari’s father was unhappy with the way things had gone,

He didn’t want Larry to think he had fooled everybody and won,

Shari’s father was convinced Shari had been brainwashed too,

Polygamists should be prosecuted was his point of view,

Having two wives was bigamy, and against federal law,

His daughter being the third wife was simply the last straw,

The three wives were content but it seemed so surreal,

Then Shari’s dad convinced officials she was getting a raw deal,

Publicity was stirred, their lives caught in society’s spotlight,

Everything happened quickly, there was no time for flight,

Law enforcement was gathered, and swarmed on a raid,

Larry was incarcerated for weeks, but no charges were made,

Pickets were marching on the streets near the jail,

With signs that stated polygamists were doomed to hell,

“It’s a mockery of marriage,” “He’s dishonest and a liar,”

“This is against our beliefs,”  “You’re going to hell’s fire,”

But the court had no evidence, Larry admitted with shame,

He had never really married, Polyamory was his claim,

The living arrangements were unusual in this day and age,

But that was no reason to place him in a cage,

There was nothing else the officials could really do,

Except wait patiently for any laws to go slightly askew,

Larry was exonerated and is enjoying life even to this day,

While government prosecutors dream of the one who got away.