CYCLIC LAMENT
SLIPPING AWAY
The air is heavy with foreboding
The ground; uneven and eroding
The sun is clothed in a veil of death
Awaiting the winds of change, to take a breath
Slipping away.
There was a time when years seemed like days
Intensity and passion; lighting the way
Moments of freedom, depth and elation
A feeling of belonging, of hope, and direction
Slipping away.
A time when days; they seem like years
Wild emotions; run on in fear
Gaiety; immersed in soulful contemplation
The dread of action within a lost dimension
Slipping away.
.LEFT WITH DREAD
You lair me in… then wear me out
You lift me up…to tear me down
You're always right…I'm always left with dread
…ticking time-bomb…ticking time-bomb…
Left with dread
A mountain…in a valley
A mountain of fear in a valley of confidence
A turbulent panic on a sea of calm
A chilling river of anxiety in a desert of serenity
A forest…in a meadow
A forest of dense agitation in a meadow of tranquility
A daunting terror in a peaceful park
A pit of deep humiliation beneath a mound of elation
MAKE IT GO AWAY
Shrieks of terror come from deeper than laughter; shouts for joy.
Yet they're lost amidst the clamor of those engrossed in fun.
Piercing cries of the tortured, chilling cries of rape and fear
Never penetrate the walls; no-one ever seems to hear.
I'm disgusted by brutality, hate and lust;
By cruelty, hostility, greed and unjust violence of all kinds.
I'm sickened by the pain; by the pain.
Make it go away.
Pleading howls and wails from children, so plaintive, yet they fail
To stop aggression; being stifled by hands inflicting harm.
From depravity, tears of misery, overflow in helplessness.
Ignored by a society who cannot absorb distress.
Make it go away.
DON'T MAKE WAVES
The sea is vast;
On the surface it's calm.
See all the people, just cruising along.
They're feelin' real secure and they're having fun
Just layed way back and takin' in the sun.
So don't make waves.
Don't make waves.
The water's still;
The river's smooth as glass.
See all the people just drifting past.
The current's so mild, they just move with the flow
Along the river's course, wherever it goes.
Don't make waves.
Some call it a sin
'Cause they don't know how to swim.
Don't make waves.
You mustn't forget
They don't wanna get wet.
So don't make waves.
Don't make waves.
The bay is sheltered;
The harbour's serene.
See all the people, as if in a dream.
They're feelin' safe near the shore, paddling around
While ripples wash in; peace and quiet abound
SLIP-UP
Watch out! Take care…Go steady there.
A slip of the tongue
And the wrong has been done.
A fatal slip of the tongue;
It can’t be undone.
Having a good talk, with a good friend, over a good meal, in a good place.
Everything is okay…everything is so right.
Saying the right words, in the right way, at the right time, on the right day.
Then something goes wrong…very wrong.
A slip of the tongue
And the wrong has been done.
A fatal slip of the tongue;
It can’t be undone.
Buying into a good thing, at a good price, at a good time; it’s a good deal.
Everything is okay…everything is so right.
Spending the right amount, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place.
Then something goes wrong…very wrong.
A slip of the pen
And the money’s been spent.
A faulty slip of the pen;
It was not your intent.
Watch out! Take care…Go steady there.
Watch out! Take care…Go steady, go steady there
Or you’ll slip-up…Slip-up.
‘Cause when things are just right…a slight mishap…could happen.
Slip-up…
It can happen…just like that…a slight mishap.
Watch out!
COMPROMISED
It’s just another day
Compromised
And so it goes; it barely shows
Compromised
Overwhelmed by the shame; falling target to the blame
Compromised
Nothing ever really changes
Compromised
I cannot move; I do not care
I cannot laugh; I do not dare
Compromised
I want to flee; but don't know where
I want to quit; but don't know how
I hate this place, this race, this void.
You should know; you made it so.
I cannot breathe, but cannot leave.
You turn away, with nothing to say.
It's just another day
Compromised
And so it goes; it barely shows
Compromised
Overwhelmed by the shame; falling target to the blame
Nothing every really changes
I want to hide away inside.
I need to cry my heart out dry.
I have to know the reason why
I feel un-whole; I’ve lost my soul.
STRESSED-OUT
I'm always on the move
Always on the go
Running here and there
Weaving in and out
No time to look around
No time to really see
No time to hear the sounds
No time to really be “in the moment”
I’m running on a full tank
Revved up and raring to go
I’m often in a big rush
I hate to miss the show
Shifting into high gear
I’m speeding in the fast lane
I’m always pushed for time
I’m never, ever lazy
I’m just too high strung
And being driven crazy
I try to get a head start
I make a point of going all out
I like to whiz along
And move in leaps and bounds
Doing things in double-quick time
I try to stay ahead
I’m going ’round in circles;
Spinning like a top
I’m in a constant panic
It’s a race against the clock
I always keep on going
I never, ever quit
I’m always on the button
I keep my mind quick
I jump to action briskly
And hasten when I’m called
I can’t slow down
Don’t take enough time to breathe
I’m so strung out
When will it STOP?
WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE ?
Oh my goodness, oh my dear
I'm asking you: "What's happening here?"
What to do? What to do about it?
What to say? What to say about it?
Do you reallyknow?
Can you really see?
Do you feel the need?
Can it really be?
Can you hear the anguish?
Do you really care?
Can you taste the bitterness?
Do you even dare?
Do you sense the urgency?
Can you smell the fear?
Do your hands remain untainted?
Is your conscience clear?
Do you share your wealth and knowledge?
Do you confront reality?
Do you look at what is needed
And admit the gravity?
Do you assume responsibility
For the consequences of your acts?
Are you concerned about the future
Are you leaving things intact?
Do you take the time
To consider what you do?
Do you heed the signs
And acknowledge what is true?
Do you reveal your real intentions?
Are you sincere in what you say?
Would you sacrifice your belongings
And relinquish all your pay?
Do you seek to mend injustice?
Do you strive to heal the pain?
Are you searching for a remedy
Or do you hide away?
SURVIVAL
Written on a wall
Written in a scrawl
“Is there a life before death?”
Bold for all to see
Obviously a plea
“Is there a life before death?”
Survival, survival.
Never having a choice
Never having a voice
“Is there a life before death?”
No means to fight or run
Without dreams of carefree fun
“Is there a life before death?”
Survival, survival.
TRI-CYCLIC LAMENT
Oh, please, please, don’t make waves,
For these moments of freedom are slipping away.
Another day: compromised and sickened by the pain.
Please, please, make it go away.
Move stealthily with cat steps.
Watch out…not to slip-up.
Else laired in…torn down…
To be left with dread.
Stressed-out, with no time to be pensive
About survival and what’s happening here.
’Round ’n ’round ’n ’round:
This cyclic lament.