You said you loved music, so I spent my money on CDs, stole my Dad’s guitar and brought up Pure Prairie League every chance I got. I scribbled lyrics on my fingers, and concert dates on my mirror.

You said you loved America, so I hummed the National Anthem, wrapped my hair in a striped bandana and learned to see my backyard as a privilege. I told people I was Republican, and refused to get on a plane.

You said you loved art, so I practiced gasping at Monet, considered
getting a tattoo, and kept a sketchbook in my purse. I learned when to say “Impressionism,” and filled my vase with paintbrushes.

You said you loved Jesus, so I buttoned my shirt to the neck, stopped drinking so much and squeezed your hand during the sermon. I remembered to say “gosh,” and threaded a cross onto my necklace.

You said you loved me, so I wore pink, tried to smile more and kept
repeating that I loved you too.

There’s a wonderful world I found at last.
When I look into the windows of my precious past.
These windows pass me one by one.
And I look in to each to see the wonderful past things I’ve done.
A feeling of comfort soon soothes my fears.
As I see all the happy things I’ve done throughout the years.
And this is when I find happiness at last.
When I look into the windows of my precious past.

I look out into space and I constantly stare.
At a distant land I know not where.
I’m in a world that has meaning only to me.
When I’m living in my world of fantasy.
I drift away many times it seems.
To my little world of fantastic dreams.
With my troubles behind, I’m in a world without cares.
And with a blink of an eye I’m transported there,
My world is soothing and suspended in time.
It’s where I go to relax my mind.
This is a world of my very own.
Where the dreams are mine, mine alone.
Nothing in the world ever matters it seems.
When I’m lost in my world of fantastic dreams.

I’ll never get lonely growing old.
Because in my mind there are memories etched in gold.
As the years go by my memories have grown.
With all the happy hearts of all the people I’ve known.
I know I’ve lived a good life these past ninety years and made life
Worthwhile.
And its easy to see why they taught me to smile.
So that’s the reason I’ll never get lonely growing old.
Because all my memories are etched in gold.

My wife Mary is the most beautiful woman that ever lived.
Mary has a heart so big and is always ready to forget and forgive.
Mary has stuck with me for some sixty four or more years.
And last night my cross words made
My Mary cry a river of tears.

Last night the heat of then moment caught me off guard.
And the words I exchanged with Mary were mean and hard.
Forgive me my beautiful Mary for the harsh words I said.
It would have been better my dear if I had eaten and digested them
Instead.

passion and romance
and then
the opening
the walkway looking west
a small cutaway
I held you close
staring into your laser eyes
holding you tight
tenderness spinning out of control
but a new control emerged
one you knew was buried
deep in my brow
matching you stare for stare
electrons and gamma rays
cross stimulation
I took your smile
and marked it
with my glare
taking you
under my wing
protecting you
feeding you
giving you breath
tasting your submission
leaving you hungry for more…

People make you wait
Nothing you can do about it
Don’t try to rush them
You’ll get more excuses than you need

Look at your phone
People watch
Take a nap
Dream about winning lotto

Take it in stride
If you tell them you’re mad
Next time you’ll wait longer
Part of the gig