We come to you defenseless, No matter our station in life. We come facing you naked, Due to illness, injury, or strife. All we see is your softness, While the machine begins its soft roar. You recline and place us securely, Explaining what each thing is for. We do as you ask without question, We lie still and perhaps say a prayer. Even if we have no Immortal, Perhaps we search for Him here. The moment your graceful hands leave us, The machine gets on with its thresh. We then lie alone in the darkness, Awaiting your voice’s refresh. Arising, our eyes search for answers, But yours aren’t allowed to reply. As we leave you whisper a prayer, Thanking God, or asking Him why? Copyright (c) 2012

You dive into the lake Not to simply swim ashore. Diving deep may make of each of us A new man – evermore. Those who never enter, Those who never try, And those who dive to only swim, Will never live like I. So come with me And take the leap – Or what’s the living for? No good man wants To live his days Safely on the shore. Copyright © 2011

In Saint Petersburg, I saw in their eyes. No youthful spark, No enterprise. In Saint Petersburg, I saw in their stares. Empty hopes, loss of trust, Resignation to life’s cares. In Saint Petersburg, I saw in their stride. The gait of second place, The early death of pride. The eyes of Russian men, Told the choices that they face. ‘Success’ requires compromise, Of integrity and grace. In the eyes of Russian women, I saw the loss of heart. They knew their men could only win, If they tore ideals apart. Copyright (c) 2007

We are here for no known reason, Our fates are out of our hands. Life’s events speed quickly beyond us, So fast we cannot understand. In the midst of all of the chaos, In the midst of all the despair, We repeat our history’s mistake, We fear that no one will care. We are here for no known reason, Our fates are sand in the waves. We repeat life’s constant misstep, By seeking to fend off the grave. In the midst of all of the turmoil, In the mist of all the despair, Man’s constant is seeking control, Thus man’s fate is life in the snare. We are here for no known purpose, Our lives spent searching the why? If only we’d change and turn it around, And love without fearing to die. Copyright © 2006

We love music. Why is this so? It’s the universal language, One we all know. Marking every emotion, Every event, Every dark hour, Every act heaven sent. We love music, It makes our hearts grow, It touches us deeply, Makes memories flow. It enters a room, And fills it with life. From a troubled day It removes all the strife. We love music, It makes us feel free. It connects us with all men, Throughout history. Five-year-old Mozart, Five hundred years ago, Still makes us wonder, Still makes our hearts know. We love music, No words need apply. It moves us to us love, It moves us to cry. Timeless, border-less, This and much more, To those who write it We all shout “Encore!” Copyright (c) 2004

Self-selected thespians Put their lives on hold. Then assume a role To touch the human fold. The stage is their home A place fully free, Where they can be anyone For you and for me. Why do they do it? Why do they care? They simply can’t help it, They’re driven to share. True, it’s illusion, Wholly make-believe. But thank God that they do it, So we may receive. What do we get, Just what is reflected? They remind us that all men Are truly connected. Copyright (c) 2003

A man of action A man of thought, Between the two I find I’m caught. Which is lasting, Which is real? Which is noble, And wins my zeal? The man of action Makes things go, Makes things happen Makes things flow. The man of thought Gives us pause, Gives us meaning Gives us cause. So hail to him Who serves both ways, Who looks inside, And makes the waves! Copyright (c) 2003

Life, they say, Not a dress rehearsal. We have but one life, There is no reversal. Life, they say, Best when shared. And only real, When for someone you cared. Life, they say, Moves very fast. So live each minute, As if it’s your last. Life, they say, Only for the living. It truly counts On days spent giving. Life, they say, May be missed, If on this day You haven’t kissed. Life, they say, Both good and bad. If lived alone, It may be sad. Life, they say, Can be enhanced. I pray this for you – That you join in the dance. Copyright (c) 1997

Birds land, we meet. The sun shines, The earth stops spinning. We become friends. All the rest seems unimportant, As it should be. We laugh, we play. We talk of friends back home. The special ones, The ones we carry in our hearts. Then the songs end, The sun goes down, The moon makes its mistake, The earth begins to spin again. Birds fly away. We are better. Because we are friends. As it should be. Copyright © 1994