Like the Summer of ‘06
He had a niece, she
Was prone to error
And threw spaghetti
She was a terror
Cute as a button
When wearing mittens
She pushed your buttons
When petting kittens
He has a niece now
Grown and thoughtful
A woman beautiful
And he is grateful
Strong as a person
Wearing a burden
Standing beside me
And I’m besides me
On August 16
There’s something missing
I think it is me
Missing my niece
Family Tree
Two paths diverge
Thick woods obscure
One route heads north
The other in another cardinal direction
She walks alone
He walks alone
She presses on
He circles back
He loses bearing
She forgets her way
He continues searching
She manages not to be found
She walks alone
He walks alone
She presses on
He circles back
She rests on a stump
Recognizing a ring of trees
Remembering what it’s like to be family
He walks alone
She sits alone
He presses on
She circles back
Two paths converge
My Whole Life
This song is my whole life
A sheath concealed by its knife
A melody made for a wordless wife
I’ve been playing it now for so long
Playing it right, but singing it wrong
Telegraphing love long gone
Picking and playing to an empty room
Wordless wisdom from a brideless groom
Folded in occupied tomb
Now I can see
What hindsight can afford me
Light was darkness all around
Treasure lost and found
This song is my whole life
Ease concealed by strife
A melody made for unfaithful wife
I’ve been saying it now for so long
Singing the same truthful song
Sacrifice to cover what’s wrong
Picking and playing your personal tune
Words of wisdom from a brideless groom
Unfolding in unoccupied tomb
Now I can see
What foresight can afford me
The light was might all around
Treasure found unbound
This song is my whole life
The Parable of the Lost Son
Mamma always said don’t forget
But I can’t recall exactly what she said
(It was) something about our family
Who we are and where we belong
But memory of her words is long gone
And now I’m out here all alone
Father always did what’s right
His words lined up with his work in life
But I can’t recall what he did
It was far away but it kept us fed
But memory of his deeds is long gone
And now I’m out here all alone
Brother always got there first
He made mistakes but mine were much worse
He fixed himself along the way
But I waited too long ’til today
Memory of his lead is now gone
And I’m out here all alone
Sister always looked up to me
A sidekick of sorts you see
Her stubbornness got her real far
And I think the way she is is the way we all are
But I can’t call here on the phone
And now I’m out here all alone
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
AND REMEMBER WHOSE YOU ARE
YOU REPRESENT OUR NAME
BOUGHT AND PRICE PAID