I was...

sitting around that fire light
singing words on love
I never could have felt it more
if it came from high above

a thousand things I had in mind
and more that needed said
the more I tried to force it out
the more that I saw red

I looked beyond that fire’s glow
to see the children’s eyes
I sang the words that spoke of truth
and saw in their eyes... lies

the eyes, they spoke a thousand lies
ten times every grain of sand
like, how they will not die in vain
or live out lives so bland

lives by every other measure gone
and wasted day by day
and as the years, they fade to black
can’t even wipe the tears away

so, what’s it mean to fight to breath?
or to never use your feet....
and what’s it feel like, weaker still?
each day the same repeat....

each day begins the same, I’m sure
the same old starved routine
of transfers from bed to chair and still...
never heard from and only seen.

white-coats move from side to side
and nurses come and go
they always say the same few words
superficial mumbling,.. I know

or, going through the halls at school
their eyes level with the ass....
and moving slowly from room to room
small noses pressed on cold glass

while the children are getting kissed
they wait out in the wings
lockers packed with useless books
they wait for chimes to ring

but kids in chairs are first to leave
before they ring that bell
clog the halls with spokes and wheel
then told they do so well.....

kids stare them down with envy red
and whisper words of black
they repeat the hatred learned on high
ignorance, they do not lack

enough of school, already said
now about the mall’s halls
congress held in store-front eves
labels, not names, they call

what happened to your legs? they ask
spitting venom in their eyes
but stares can end with eyelids shut
but their cackles, they never die

peer groups jockey, leave the gate
a position against the walls
they lean back on cold hard cinder
and whisper as their heads fall.

or how about your first sweet kiss..
or first dance, first date, or crush
that Friday nite, you’ll primp for all
while they sit home, comments a hush

but, still I sing of righteousness
still fixed on lies in their eyes
I think that I can right the wrongs
or free their wings to fly

what an ego! I need some reigns,
and a room all by myself!
to think that I could change the world
my jar of feelings on that shelf

and to look in the dark sweet eyes
and the child contained within
innocence lost in the maze of hate
the preachers deem it a sin

while the world spins on its edge
I just can not stop my gaze
looking into the widening eyes
reflecting the fire’s blaze

sweet eyes tell me of good and bad
I should have walked the line
all the meanwhile, singing words
am I now closer to fine?

I’m never able to taste the pain
quite like I did that nite
but when I gazed into pupils wide
I gained a new insight

insight into the lives of children
with wheels for legs and hands
they smile despite the pain and grief
they will themselves to stand

for one week they come for revelry
to shoot that puck and play
so why do I sing another’s song
when I have so much to say

I want to say, I’ll hold that hand
and caress that toughened skin
we can laugh and smile together, friend
so please, please, let me in

I’ll care for you throughout the day
then til’ purple rules the sky
and even when the moon is out
a shoulder when tears are cried

together, friend, we’ll walk the world
your wheels, with my stout heart
for a week, you use my strength to move
I swear we’ll never part

I’ll finish up these words I sing
to come right by your side
Let’s take a journey of steps, let’s start
so I can be your guide...

I can only tell you this one thing
and I swear that it is the true
No lies will ever leave these lips
now I give my heart to you...