rhymes & reasons

61
Rhymes and Rhymes and Reasons Reasons The poetry of Shaun A. Richardson

Upload: raven-wolf

Post on 28-Nov-2014

71 views

Category:

Documents


2 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 1

Rhymes and Rhymes and

ReasonsReasons

The poetry of Shaun A. Richardson

Page 2: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 2

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

A Frozen Moment A Vision In Black

Dream Girl Enticement

If… I Thank The Fate…

Journeys End Nothing Simple

Roses Watching…

You Are… Your Light

Twelfth of Never Cross The Line

Hope * Leap Of Faith

My Friend Tomorrow’s Soon Enough

Uncertain Paths Betrayal

Butterfly, Flutterby Elaine

Memories of a Queen Smoke & Ash

No Rhyme, No Reason Remember Me?

Senses of Loss Some Far Shore

Something Missing Tears

The Price of Freedom

4 5 6 6 7 8 6 9 10 10 11 11

20 21 22 23 24 25

39 40 41 42 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Goes To Show * I Leapt, I Failed

No More A Fool No Sugar Coating

Silver Lining Treachery

Words A Solitary Path

Lost Chances After

Broken Promise In Darkness

Cold Comfort Downward Spiral

Words Last Voyage

Pride Questions

Slow Seasons Storm Warning

Sundered Dreams Why?

Counting Sheep Hermit Crab High Wired

Not Forever… Open Your Heart

Cotton Wool Dreams My Sister

Seasonally Yours Someone's Son

Scrimshaw Story

13 14 15 16 17 18 18 27

27 28 29 29 30 31 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

52 53 54 55 56

58 58 59 59 60

Of Love...Of Love... ...and Hate...and Hate

Of Hope...Of Hope...

...and Despair...and Despair

Of Loss...Of Loss...

Mixed Feelings? Mixed Feelings?

Epilogue.Epilogue.

Page 3: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 3

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

Of Love...Of Love...

Page 4: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 4

Sunlight spills molten copper Through her hair. She turns,

A smile that dims the day. The world has never seemed So bright. I wonder, will she Ever smile that way for me?

A frozen moment, plucked

From memory, to fill The endless hours alone.

I utter empty pleasantries, Afraid to speak my heart.

I pray she cannot see.

For she is far above me, An angel without wings.

I watch, and dream, in silence. She walks away, then turns,

Her dipped eyes raise. This smile is for me.

She had seen.

A Frozen MomentA Frozen Moment

Page 5: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 5

I saw you through the door – A vision.

Sheathed in black, your beauty, Overwhelms me.

The smile I‟ve longed to see, Upon your lips.

In your eyes I‟m lost Eternally.

No hope for me, But you.

You are my life, It‟s true.

I love you. Now,

And ever, Yours

A Vision in BlackA Vision in Black

Page 6: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 6

I‟ve looked into your eyes so many times, To see the laughter dancing deep within,

I‟d launch a thousand ships to see you smile, You are the Helen Trojans fought to win.

My life, my love, my heart, I‟d offer you,

If only you would stay, for just a while, You know that I could never be untrue,

You are my Cleopatra of the Nile.

I love the moon, the sky, the stars above, The ground beneath my feet I love, and yet,

This love would fade to naught when set against, The love I feel for you, my Juliet.

A flower in bloom,

Perfume dancing on the breeze, Drawing me to you.

Dream GirlDream Girl

EnticementEnticement

Page 7: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 7

If I could live again, The life that I have lead,

I would not change a single deed, Nor word that I had said.

For if I changed my life, Or deeds that I had done,

I would have never seen your smile, Nor would my heart be won.

There is nothing simple, nothing straight, In this tangled web of fate, Nothing easy, nor assured, This is nothing to be cured,

No mere chill could take me so, And fighting only makes it grow,

No need to fear, and yet I do, No need to run, from what is true,

But still, I do. Do you?

If...If...

Nothing SimpleNothing Simple

Page 8: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 8

I thank the fate that guided me to you That I may know the beauty of your face And feel the tenderness of your embrace

I‟d travel all the world for love so true But tell me, for I do not have a clue

How I came to be in such good grace As in your heart to find I have a place

I feel myself unworthy of this due You have filled a void inside of me

That I thought could never have been done Your love alone has set my spirit free

To you I would give every single thing And if kind fate will once more lend a hand

Then one day soon you‟ll take from me a ring

I Thank The FateI Thank The Fate

Page 9: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 9

Journey’s EndJourney’s End

Sing to me, my love, And tell me of your day, I wish that I had never,

Gone away.

Talk to me, my sweet, Of all that I have missed,

All that‟s happened since the day, We kissed.

It‟s half a year, or more,

From when I held you tight, And we talked until the morning,

Became night.

Thoughts of you, my dear, Are all that‟s pulled me through, The lonely hours „till I could be,

With you.

My wandering is done, No more will I stray,

I love you more with every, Passing day.

Hold me tight, my love, And say you‟ll never leave, You are the very air that I,

Must breathe.

Stay with me, my dear, „Till time is at a stand,

And let me slip this ring upon, Your hand.

Answer me, my sweet, Why do you hesitate?

Can it be that I have come, Too late?

Let me kiss you now,

And hold you in my arms, You have claimed my heart with your,

Sweet charms.

All I have, my life, Is all that I shall give,

And that I‟ll do as long as I, Shall live.

Page 10: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 10

The sight of a rose in bloom, The scent of it‟s sweet perfume,

Would you smile if I gave it to you?

My heart is a rose budded tight, Awaiting the warmth of your light,

But would you laugh if I offered this too?

In my life has been sorrow and pain, I need friendship and love once again,

So please smile when I give them to you.

RosesRoses

Page 11: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 11

Though I sat here watching from the corner of my eye, Not a single word would come to help me tell you why,

And so I kept on watching, as the evening passed me by.

Well, finally I acted, though I thought I‟d lost my chance, For you would not take another drink, and there‟s no room to dance,

And so I kept on watching you, with every secret glance.

I held your hand, and tried to show what words would not express, That the happiest I‟ve been for years was for nothing less,

Than a smile which touched your eyes, and your finger‟s soft caress.

You are the book that I long to read, The cover a painting to gladden my eyes,

Your pages of mystery entice me in, To the woman behind the disguise.

You are the sonnet that I wish to write,

Line after line of rhyming couplet, You are the words I recite before sleep,

Since the first night that we met.

Yours is the play, May I play a part?

Could I play opposite you? I have nothing to offer except for my heart,

But I swear what I offer is true.

Watching...Watching...

You Are...You Are...

Page 12: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 12

Another day is ending, the sun begins to fade, My thoughts are drifting more and more to you,

I wonder, do you think of me, before you close your eyes? Is this a dream, or can it all be true?

After so long in the shadows, I‟m standing in the light,

I didn‟t know that you could shine so bright, I thought that I had lost you, but look at what I‟ve found,

You are the most beautiful girl in town.

You are so softly spoken, so shy and yet so free, I wish with all my heart that you were mine,

And yet you give me hope, where there were none before, That I may yet persuade you, given time.

Until the twelfth of never, When time is held at bay,

I‟ll still be loving you, The way I do today.

Your LightYour Light

Twelfth of NeverTwelfth of Never

Page 13: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 13

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

...and Hate...and Hate

Page 14: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 14

Goes To ShowGoes To Show

I don't know why you came here, I'm not even sure I care,

But every time I turn around, It seems that you are there.

My friends all say you mean well,

I suppose it could be true, But think on this, how would you feel,

If I were hounding you.

Leave me alone, I'm alright as I am,

I don't need your help, And don't let the door slam!

Why this sudden interest?

You never cared before, I remember, when I needed you,

You headed for the door.

So now you're crowding 'round me, You hang on every word I say,

Of course, now I remember, Your lover left today.

Leave me alone, I'm alright as I am,

I don't need your help, And don't let the door slam!

I remember when you left me, And I begged you not to go,

I really thought you loved me, but Oh well, just goes to show.

Hey, I know my memory's faulty,

But it's really not that bad, I remember how you took me,

For everything I had.

Leave me alone, I'm alright as I am,

I don't need your help, And don't let the door slam!

Verse 1-5 Verse 6-9

Page 15: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 15

I remember the cliff. Ever climbing, but gaining no ground.

It was my life. My survival. Where is the hope in that?

I rejected it. Cast myself free. I leapt, I failed. I died.

I thought you would catch me. Did you deceive me, or did I

Just deceive myself? I‟m still falling. The ground so far beneath me

Rushes closer. My soundless screams Echo through my head.

Where were you? I fell for you. I cried to you. I died for you.

Now someone else will love you. Someone else will need you.

My body broken on the rocks. Alone and silent.

I leapt, I failed. I died. I wonder, did you cry?

Did you notice? Did you? They‟ll be no higher ground for me.

My blood on the rocks. A selfish sacrifice,

To you.

* I Leapt, I Failed* I Leapt, I Failed

* This Poem is in answer to Leap of Fate, in the ‘Of Hope…’ Section. LoF should be read first.

Page 16: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 16

Are you proud of yourself today? Since you finally drove me away,

I can‟t be what you want me to be, So, for God‟s sake, just set me free.

Were you proud of your petty disguise?

Before I discovered your lies, Did you laugh to have so much control?

I worshipped you, body and soul.

You used, and abused me, I know, Do the scars that you gave me still show?

I loved you, then love turned to hate, Don‟t call for me now, it‟s too late.

No More A FoolNo More A Fool

Page 17: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 17

No sugar coating for the bitterest pill, No one stops you choking as they try to break your will,

No one hears you crying in the middle of the night, But you have to keep on fighting or you‟re gonna lose the fight.

No restitution could repay you for this deed,

No substitution could improve the way you feel, No silver lining at the edges of this cloud,

And no hands to hold you as you start to scream aloud.

No sugar coating‟s gonna help you choke this down, No tears are flowing, though you seem to hear the sound,

Nothing they could give you can return what you have lost, And their sympathy‟s cold comfort when it‟s time to count the cost.

No Sugar CoatingNo Sugar Coating

Page 18: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 18

To me, the summers sunshine heralds winter, To me, the silver lining hides a cloud,

I clutch at life, and watch it start to splinter, I should ask help, but dammit, I‟m too proud.

To you, I guess that I am just a loser,

To you, I guess that this was just a laugh, I didn‟t think that you were such a user,

I see you don‟t do anything by half.

I know that I am not exactly stunning, And my conversation‟s never been too good, You let me think that I was in the running,

I guess that I just never understood.

Silver LiningSilver Lining

Page 19: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 19

You can‟t help the hurt, The treachery of feeling,

The cuts have started closing, But my heart needs more than healing.

A sign of your affection,

This ring that I am wearing, A token of the love,

I thought that we were sharing.

I gave to you my love, My all, my everything, What did you give me?

A little golden ring.

There‟s no more words, they have left me, No rhyme, no verse for you to see,

This precious gift strewn on the floor, My muse has gone, you closed the door,

Now all that‟s left is bitterness, An aching void of hearts distress,

Why did you leave? You would not say, My words don‟t mean a damn, today. I‟ll write no more, why should I try?

They brought me nothing but, “Goodbye.”

TreacheryTreachery

WordsWords

Page 20: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 20

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

Of Hope...Of Hope...

Page 21: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 21

A guitar plays, silence falls, Fingers dancing on the frets,

A melody divine.

Above the chords, a voice sings, And weaves it‟s way into my mind,

Like heady wine.

The music finds a place in me, That I had thought forgotten,

Feels so fine.

I fly on wings of guitar strings, An angel‟s voice to guide me,

Cross the line.

Cross the line, find the feeling, In the place that brings you healing,

No one hurts you, no one stares, You will know somebody cares.

Find the feeling, feel the fire,

Let them know your hearts desire, And at the end, the song is done,

But yours is only just begun.

A guitar plays, silence falls, Fingers dancing on the frets,

This melody is mine.

Cross the line.

Cross The LineCross The Line

Page 22: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 22

On wings of hope, we fly so high, My heart as light as summer‟s cloud,

My thoughts a dancing summer breeze, When I am with you.

On dreams of hope, we climb the sky, My heart replete with summer‟s joy,

My thought‟s are only of the one, That makes this one a two.

I prayed for hope, and you are here, My heart was empty, ´till you came, I think of you, whisper your name,

´Till I can be with you.

Without this hope, where would I be? My summer heart in grip of frost,

My thoughts enthralled in winter‟s fog, Alone, what would I do?

HopeHope

Page 23: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 23

I clung to the cliff, The sheer, impassable face

Mocked me, defied me. No way up, none down.

Trapped, in a life given meaning, By nothing more than survival.

No more. Now I‟m falling. A leap of faith, of hope.

Will you catch me? Would you fall with me?

I fell for you. I‟m falling now. Will you open your arms to me?

Or cast me down. I need you. I try to call, but make no sound.

Words are treacherous, lying things. And yet they are all I have.

I speak in long silences. My pen the only escape

For the torrent raised in me by you. What would you say if I told you I love you? What would you do if I said that I need you?

Loving alone is a thankless task. Won‟t you tell me how you feel?

A leap of faith, of hope. I will catch you. Hold you.

Together we can reach the higher ground. Together, we can fly.

* Leap of Faith* Leap of Faith

* This poem should be read before I Leapt, I Failed.

Page 24: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 24

Who can I count on to be there, When ev‟rything‟s up in the air, And say to me, “Do not despair”,

You, my friend.

When I‟m wrong, who‟ll tell me true, Advise me what I ought to do,

And lift me when I‟m feeling blue, You, my friend.

If I should cry, who wipes the tears,

Whose laughter lifts the weight of years, In whom do I confide my fears,

You, my friend.

And if one day, we both should part, As we did near the very start,

Who will I miss with all my heart, That‟s right, it‟s you, my friend.

My FriendMy Friend

Page 25: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 25

Well here I am, another day, I wonder what will come my way?

Where to go, what to do, Shall I come and visit you?

A song, a smile, a joke or two, Are comfort if you‟re feeling blue,

The weather‟s good, the forecast bright, We can party through the night, Forget your troubles for a while,

Let me see that pretty smile, It‟s not been seen that much of late,

So go ahead, don‟t hesitate, Go on, leave your troubles there, Tomorrow‟s soon enough to care.

Tomorrow’s Soon EnoughTomorrow’s Soon Enough

Page 26: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 26

I‟m travelling down a road, I know not where it leads,

The track is hard to find among, The brambles and the weeds.

The path has branched so many times,

I know not where I am, There are no signs to guide me home,

And no one gives a damn.

I met you at a crossroads, You looked as lost as I,

My lady, will you walk with me, Or will you pass me by?

Together, could we find the path,

Away from barren ground? Could what we‟ve both been looking for,

Be what we‟ve both just found?

Uncertain PathsUncertain Paths

Page 27: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 27

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

...and Despair...and Despair

Page 28: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 28

A life alone has seemed to be, The only option left to me, No one to listen, or to care,

None to read what isn‟t there, A silent path of solitude,

Where few may come, and none intrude, A closing out, a drawing in,

To open up, almost a sin, I prayed to all the Names I know,

That down this path I would not go, I don‟t know how to step aside,

To leave this path of stubborn pride, I need a hand to guide me free,

A friend who‟ll always stand by me. My heart calls,

As my throat closes, My words falter,

And my tongue knots, My cheeks colour, My silence lasts,

A question unasked,

My courage lost.

A Solitary PathA Solitary Path

Lost ChancesLost Chances

Page 29: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 29

Last hope comes, with weary silence, Last battle fought, a forlorn triumph,

Last thought dims, to haunted dreams.

Cold hands touch, a harsh caress, Cold eyes stare, a blades bequest,

Cold hearts death, a silent screams.

Mute lips speak, of dull despair, Mute soul feels, so hopeless there,

Mute love ends, your cowards scheme.

Cruel mind sees, you‟re mocking needs, Cruel tongue shrills, of shameful deeds,

Cruel face sneers, an endless theme.

AfterAfter

Page 30: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 30

I swore this wouldn‟t happen, I would not go away, Don‟t blame yourself for what I do today.

I know that you still love me, I see it in your eyes, But I cannot keep telling these same lies.

I thought that I could love you, thought you were the one, I don‟t know how to live with what I‟ve done.

You trusted me completely, you gave me everything, What did I give you except a ring?

I know that you will hate me, but girl, I have to go, And that hurts more than you will ever know.

You‟ll find your hero someday, you‟ll find a love so true, A man who wants to spend his life with you.

Now baby, I must leave you, but this I have to say, Although I‟ve gone, I‟ll miss you every day.

I sit, In the darkest corner, Beaten and broken.

My hope,

Like my laughter, Left with you.

Broken PromiseBroken Promise

In DarknessIn Darkness

Page 31: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 31

I feel empty, and I‟m all alone, I feel tired, but I‟m holding on,

I don‟t know why you said goodbye, I tried hard, but I got it wrong.

Are you cold, as you lay in bed,

Are your dreams kind of troubling? Are your thoughts keeping you awake, And do you still wear that silver ring?

I know you said that we were through,

I don‟t like it, but I‟ll toe the line, At least I have my memories,

I can dream of when you were mine.

And though I never said a lot, Every word that I said was true,

It‟s cold comfort, but it‟s all I have, I am never gonna forget you.

Cold ComfortCold Comfort

Page 32: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 32

My heart is as cold as a fast-frozen ocean, Like an empty picture of crashing emotion.

My life is so empty, so unfulfilled, So drear in this prison, drugde‟ry distilled.

What happen‟d here, I cannot see, What is this fear, calling to me.

I feel it, touching me, I know it, completely.

I‟m lost, I cry, In truth, I lie.

You choose, I lose. yes? NO!

There‟s no more words, they have left me, No rhyme, no verse for you to see,

This precious gift, strewn on the floor, My muse has gone, you closed the door,

Now all that‟s left is bitterness, An aching void of hearts distress,

Why did you leave? You would not say, My words don‟t mean a damn, today, I‟ll write no more, why should I try?

They brought me nothing but, “Goodbye.”

Downward SpiralDownward Spiral

WordsWords

Page 33: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 33

I am lost and alone, on a dark, bitter sea, Is there nobody out there, will none rescue me? My ship, like my hope, is battered and worn, Her decking is cracked and her sails are torn.

I bail ever faster, to keep the same pace,

But my heart isn‟t in it, I‟m losing this race, I cry out for a saviour, but there‟s none to be found,

If it takes too much longer, they‟ll find that I‟ve drowned.

My love and I parted on a night such as this, It seems we were fighting, from our very first kiss,

I loved her, I know, though I left her behind, I think I must have been out of my mind.

I ran into the night, and off to the sea,

The first rain of the evening was falling on me, With nothing behind me, and nowhere to go,

I sailed from the pain my heart would not show.

I could never remember what happened that day, The storm started raging, the sky was so grey,

But I could never forget how you called out to me, And now I‟ll put down my bucket, and enter the sea...

Last VoyageLast Voyage

Page 34: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 34

I offered you my heart, and you took it with feverish glee, I offered you my life, and you tore it away from me,

What could I have done to defend, when my weapons were laid at your feet, I could not even try to escape, I was tied to the ring by your seat.

Bound by chains of my own making,

Bound by dreams of my own shaping, Bound by the love you spurned.

But the chains of love rusted through, And the dreams of love shattered, too,

Though my heart, on the pyre, burned.

I gave to you my heart, and ashes are all that is left, I gave to you my life, and you left me alone and bereft,

There is nothing left to defend, I am empty and barren inside, I lost all when I ran from that life, except for my damned stubborn pride.

PridePride

Page 35: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 35

What is love, without a lover, What is life if you will not live,

Where‟s the child, without the mother, Where is your heart if you never give,

Never give your heart.

Why the pain of endless searching, For a love that we can share, Why do we keep on hurting,

When we only injure, those we care, Care about the most.

I can dream of love eternal, I can dream of happiness,

I can dream of „ever afters‟, But I cannot dream of happiness,

Unless you‟re in my arms.

Questions of LoveQuestions of Love

Page 36: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 36

He gave her a gold cross last summer, To prove that he loved her, he said, But later that evening he left her,

To sleep in another girls bed.

All summer, he traded affection, For her money, her pain and her trust,

As he joked of his cruellest deception, Her dreams were turning to dust.

The leaves on the trees have now withered,

Their colours are russet and gold, And this girl, little more than a child,

Was dying inside from the cold.

Now autumn has turned towards winter, And her heart, like the flowers, now wilts,

For her man now lives with another, That cross was base metal and gilt.

The winter grows deeper within her,

The snow builds white mountains outside, For others, the seasons are turning,

But her heart, like the flowers, has died.

Slow SeasonsSlow Seasons

Page 37: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 37

The grey skies are back again, Whatever happened to the sun?

Rain falls softly on my face, Though spring has just begun.

I look out across the land, So dull, and monotone, It's vibrancy is muted, Like a lover all alone.

Do you remember brighter days,

When laughter filled the air, Walking far beneath the sun,

I wish that I were there.

For I cannot bring the sun, I do not have that gift,

Although I pray with every dawn, The grey storm clouds will lift.

Now the storm is gathering,

Thunder booms, a flash of light, I don't know if I have the strength,

To last me through the night.

Storm WarningStorm Warning

Page 38: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 38

Love lies bleeding on a dark, lonely night, There were no victors to this long, bloody fight, They smiled a last smile, before turning to hide,

In the depths of the night, who counts the tears cried?

A friendship in tatters, at the end of this war, And neither one knows what they‟re fighting for,

All that they had, is what they have lost, Was being right worth such a cost?

Now both are alone, in anguish and pain,

Awake in the dark, they‟re watching the rain, Drowning in sorrow, they sit by the „phone,

Hoping it rings, so they can atone.

They won‟t be the first, they cannot give in, That, for them, is the ultimate sin,

They will not relent, and swallow their pride, And so, in the dark, two hearts have died.

Sundered DreamsSundered Dreams

Page 39: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 39

Why am I here all alone? The whole world is waiting for me, Why does the „phone never ring,

Is there no one that I could go see?

Why do I hide from the world? And bury my head in the sand,

Why can I never escape? Will somebody lend me a hand?

Why does my world seem so cold?

I‟m so tired of being alone, Why don‟t I call you tonight?

I‟m too scared to pick up the „phone.

Why can‟t I just make a stand? And dig myself out of the ground,

Why did you leave me alone? I‟d be fine if you were around.

Why?Why?

Page 40: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 40

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

Of Loss...Of Loss...

Page 41: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 41

I trusted you'd be true to me, As I was true to you,

You said you would wait for me, Then tore my heart in two,

"It was the drink, I didn't think!" Well, now, that may be true,

But what would you have done to me, If I'd said that to you?

Betrayal is an ugly word, But what am I to do?

I gave you love, you broke my heart, Because I trusted you,

So now you want me back again, And this I say to you,

"Without trust there is no love, And I cannot trust you."

BetrayalBetrayal

Page 42: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 42

Shady sunlight dapples her skin With leafy shadows. Butterfly, flutterby,

She turns to see. Midnight hair cascades across

Her ivory skin. Dark eyes, so often clouded,

Bright with wonder. A step, a dance among the flowers.

A laugh so free. Butterfly, flutterby, her love arrives.

But he‟s not me. She‟ll never know, she‟ll never see.

And he‟s not me.

Butterfly, FlutterbyButterfly, Flutterby

Page 43: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 43

You called across a crowded street, A face among the throng,

“Is that really you?” I cried, “My God, its been so long!”

You took my hands and smiled at me,

And laughed at my surprise, “You haven‟t changed a single bit.”

There was no need for lies.

I took you to a restaurant, And asked you how you fared,

I would‟ve asked about him, but, I guess I never dared.

An hour or two we sat there, while,

We talked about the past, All the good times and the bad, When we‟d seen each other last.

You offered me your number,

Its sitting by the phone, If I called you now, Elaine,

Would you be alone?

I picked up the receiver, And spoke after the tone,

“Elaine, please call, please talk to me, I don‟t want to be alone.”

ElaineElaine

Page 44: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 44

It‟s late at night, the TV‟s on, but you don‟t see the screen, You‟re thinking of your lover‟s face, and all that might have been,

Remember how she used to smile, it almost stopped your heart, She‟d tilt her head, and dip her eyes, you loved her from the start.

You‟d wait all day to hear her say your name, so tenderly,

Now all you have is memories of how it used to be, You thought that she would never leave, then watched her walk away,

And though you tried, you couldn‟t find a single word to say.

Though months have gone, and winter's come, it doesn‟t mean a thing, She‟s not here, you‟re all alone, she‟s found another King.

I lie here in an empty room. Cigarette smoke Twists through the air, like my thoughts. Drifting, dissipating.

At times playing in a sunbeam, then on into shadow. I gaze through it, unseeing. My thoughts are far away.

As are you, my love. A train of ash hangs from the filter. Like the cold cup of coffee beside me, it is forgotten.

Where are you? Like the cigarette, my hope is naught But dying embers and ash. The smoke ceases, unnoticed.

I lie here in an empty room. The smoke clears.

Memories of a QueenMemories of a Queen

Smoke & AshSmoke & Ash

Page 45: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 45

No Rhyme, No ReasonNo Rhyme, No Reason

This doesn‟t rhyme, And there‟s no reason,

To expect a smile today.

I thought you‟d call, I thought you‟d want to,

Guess I was wrong again.

You didn‟t talk, You didn‟t tell me,

She did that for you.

I felt so numb, I felt so stupid,

Well God, that‟s nothing new.

Are you alone, And are you lonely?

I wish you‟d talk to me.

We had our times, And now they‟re over, Damn me for a fool.

Were you waiting,

While I was hiding? Like I always seem to do.

I‟m not that good, At telling people,

How much I really care.

And even now, I want you back,

I wish you wanted me.

This doesn‟t rhyme, And I‟ve no reason,

Except that I miss you.

Verse 1-5 Verse 6-10

Page 46: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 46

If I could be anywhere else, Than in your arms tonight, I‟d stay right here at home.

If I could be with anyone, But not with you tonight, Then I‟ll stay here alone.

Where would I go, where I wouldn‟t be lonely,

Who would I see, you are my one and only, Remember me tonight.

You can show me seven wonders,

And I‟ll not bat an eye, If you‟re not there to see.

You can fill the house with people,

I‟d still be on my own, If you‟re not there with me.

Where is the wonder, with no-one to share,

Without my love, I couldn‟t care, Remember me tonight.

If I could have anything, Except for your sweet love,

There‟s nothing that I want.

Remember Me?Remember Me?

Page 47: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 47

The red of the rose is For memories of you,

The green of it's leaves is for Your eyes knowing hue,

But the colour of my sorrow is The deepest ocean blue.

Children's laughter fills the park

Where we used to walk, Soft music fills the empty space

Where we used to talk, But the sound of my sorrow is

The keening of a hawk.

I raise the rose I hold and breathe It's heavy, heady musk,

The brandy fumes beguile me As evening turns to dusk,

So I'll sleep now on your pillow Where your perfume lingers last.

The touch of silk and satin as you

Brushed against my skin, The feel of something missing where

I used to wear your ring, But the texture of my sorrow means

I cannot feel a thing.

Your lips are sweet as nectar turned To honey in the fall,

Mixed with salty tears as your Last kiss ended all,

Now the only taste left to me is The bitterest of gall.

Senses of LossSenses of Loss

Page 48: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 48

How can I write a happy rhyme, My heart is cold and grey, I stare down at the paper,

Though my thoughts have gone astray, I ponder what's been happening,

And, in conclusion, think, If I don‟t learn to swim this sea,

I‟ll end up in the drink.

How can I write a love song, It feels so lonely here,

I just cannot remember, How it felt to have you here,

You left me standing high and dry, Beached on some far shore,

I want to find my way home, But you‟ve gone and locked the door.

How can I find the answers,

When I don‟t know what to ask? I dither and debate,

But I cannot evade the task, I‟ll have to make my mind up,

On what I want the most, And I hope I do it soon,

Because I‟m sick of this damned coast!

Some Far ShoreSome Far Shore

Page 49: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 49

Something MissingSomething Missing

The time, it ticks away, That‟s another day gone by.

Did I turn my back, Or blink an eye?

For I think I must‟ve missed it.

It‟s only been two days, Since you said, “Just friends”,

I told you once, I don‟t talk much,

I thought you could accept that.

You told me where we stood, I didn‟t say too much,

But then again, From what you said,

I guess that‟s why you left me.

I thought of you last night, Whilst watching the TV,

Did I catch the news, Or watch that film?

Well, I guess I must‟ve missed it.

I must have smoked some cigarettes, As I drank a bottle down,

It doesn‟t help, But it can‟t hurt,

And it helps me to forget.

And now it‟s late at night, The quilt‟s pulled to my chin,

I wait for sleep, And if I dream?

I just know I‟m gonna miss it.

Verse 1-3 Verse 4-6

Page 50: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 50

Why do I cry? Our love is dead, long forgotten. Her face blurs into forgetfulness,

Her voice fades into half-heard whispers. Her touch, so long unfelt, leaves no trace now.

So why do I cry?

No sight, no sound, no feeling, And yet, she haunts me still. No sight, she will not see me,

No sound, she will not hear me. No feeling; Ah, but there I lie.

For feelings there must be, Or why else do I cry?

TearsTears

Page 51: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 51

I stole all your dreams, Though they were not meant for me,

Then I broke your heart, Although I wasn‟t meant to see,

The pain I made you feel, Because I wanted to be free.

I stole all your hopes,

And then scattered them around, I tore your life apart,

Ran you straight into the ground, It‟s bitterness you feel,

Not the love you thought you‟d found.

Why did I destroy, The one good thing in my life?

Why did I leave you, To suffering and strife?

Why was I afraid, After all, you were my wife.

The Price of Freedom?The Price of Freedom?

Page 52: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 52

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

Mixed FeelingsMixed Feelings

Page 53: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 53

If I dream tonight, Let it be of you,

For I cannot be there.

When you sleep tonight, Will you dream of me?

Lady, do you dare?

The last word that I speak, Will be your name tonight,

Before I try to sleep.

Lady, answer true, Did you think of me?

Or count another sheep.

Counting SheepCounting Sheep

Page 54: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 54

At a party, late at night, You look for me, I‟m out of sight,

Out of mind as well, I fear, „Round the edge is far too near.

I‟m looking in through frosted glass,

In hazy details life goes past, I‟ve hidden here for far too long, No one will ever hear my song.

My life is just an empty play,

My heart says go, fear makes me stay, „Round the edge, I‟m looking in,

A hermit crab, no way to win.

I‟m reaching out, but holding back, Is it courage that I lack?

I‟ve built a shell that‟s far too small, I don‟t know how to break this wall.

I need a friend, a hand to hold,

To me, that‟s worth more than gold, To break this shell you‟ll have to be,

The greatest friend of all to me.

A hermit crab is what I am, Without hope, my life‟s a sham, I work and play, I eat, I sleep,

But all I want to do is weep.

Hermit CrabHermit Crab

Page 55: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 55

High WiredHigh Wired

There's a line on which I'm standing, Between hope and despair,

And every step I take could leave me, Standing on thin air.

There's no way back I know of,

And I cannot balance here, And so I tread this razors edge,

Long year after year.

At times I stop to marvel, 'Bout how I've kept my grip,

Although I've stumbled many times, At least I've yet to slip.

I know it could well happen, But I've been hurt before,

And if it does, I'll get back up, And ask the world for more!

I've made my own decisions, And I must pay the price,

I cannot change the past, but I, Could use some good advice.

So with my friends beside me,

I'll find that solid ground, And then we'll have a party, And you're all invited round!

If not, I'll keep on walking, I think I've learned to cope,

'Cause you can live with anything, If you live with Hope.

Verse 1-4 Verse 5-7

Page 56: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 56

Take the time, To make up your mind,

I‟ll be waiting.

It‟s your life, You must decide,

Don‟t take too long.

I‟ll be waiting, But not forever, I can hold on,

But only so long, Tell me you love me, Or let me move on.

Me or him,

Is that so hard? I‟m still waiting.

I‟m still waiting, But not forever,

I‟ll keep holding on, Don‟t take too long,

Tell me you want me, Before I move on...

Not Forever...Not Forever...

Page 57: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 57

A song without words can‟t be sung, Denying it won‟t change the tune, So open your heart to your girl, You can‟t be a minute too soon.

A secret once told can‟t be kept,

So keep none from the one that you love, Open your heart to your girl,

Lest she fly from your hand like a dove.

A harsh word cannot be repealed, Think twice, twice again, „fore you speak, I know well what I‟m saying, my friend, Think again, lest you lose what you seek.

Open your heart to your girl,

Sing your love song to her every day, Tell her all that your heart holds in chains,

That‟s the secret to making her stay.

Open your HeartOpen your Heart

Page 58: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 58

Rhymes and ReasonsRhymes and Reasons

Epilogue.Epilogue.

Page 59: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 59

I scream a muffled scream, In this cotton wool dream,

Wrapped up with mechanical precision.

Computerised, lobotomised, Totally dehumanised,

Where everyone but me makes the decision.

"My sister Jo is kind and caring, Never angry, never swearing -

Well, not without good cause at least, ( Treat her ill, and wake the beast! ) She's always there if you're in need,

And friends of her are friends indeed, She has no use for indolence,

Nor does she hide behind pretence, What you see is what you get,

The best person that I have met, You can't mistake her for another,

I should know, 'cause I'm her brother!"

Cotton Wool DreamsCotton Wool Dreams

My SisterMy Sister

Page 60: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 60

Shall I compare thee to a summers day? „Least that‟s what the Bard did say,

In England, is that really wise, Those chilly winds and leaden skies, Remind me more of tears than joy, But when I look at you, Oh boy!

Shakespeare‟s right, the sun does shine, Here in my heart, for you are mine,

Winter, summer, does it matter, Buds may bloom, or gold leaves scatter,

Whatever season it may be, The sun will always shine on you.

Are you looking for love, In all the wrong places,

Do you find there‟s no heart, Behind good looking faces,

Well, I may not be handsome, Charming or rich,

But at least I‟m not a Son of a...

Seasonally YoursSeasonally Yours

Someone’s SonSomeone’s Son

Page 61: Rhymes & Reasons

Rhymes & Reasons Volume One Page 61

The carver takes the wood, and sets the knife, To free the form that hides within the grain, If the wood could see the beauty at the end,

Would it not say, “Yes, that is worth the pain.”

Life is both the carver and the knife, Shaping us in ways we‟ll never know,

So when you fear you cannot bear the pain, Recall the wood, and all it has to show.

Scrimshaw StoryScrimshaw Story