poet-tree

"Looking so hard for what we're trying to find, we find it and miss what is really there" - anonymous.

"Once I promised myself to forget you, but I ran backwards making sure I'd remember you forever.." Rod McKuen

"Life is a four letter word..."

Poet-Tree & Lyrics                                                                                      

For fifteen years, i’ve been commuting to my job……."drivin’ on the ‘91″…
drivin’ on the 91
sun’s goin’ down in the west
i’m spinnin
like a top
always on the run, doin’ my best
early to bed, early to rise
aint made me wealthy and wise
..i’m still on the road..still ‘aint no fun
when i’m drivin’ on the 91
six lanes filled with cars and trucks
i feel like a speck, i feel so small
i’m in the middle of everyone, yet not
seen at all
the hour is my friend on the 91
we get together every day,
comin’ and goin’, and i just can’t
get away from drivin’ on the 91
mist on the window
fog’s come to call
drivin’ so slow-barely movin’
at all
music’s low on xm radio
and i’m still hangin’ on
still hangin’ in
drivin’ the 91 again.
e.2008.

**

"I Waited "

I waited for you at heaven’s door
my hand pressed tightly on the stained glass
I waited
but you never came.
I waited for you, washing away the tears
that stained my cheeks
I waited, shivering
as I watched my blue skies turn to gray
I waited when the storm came and the light on the lighthouse
dimmed.
I waited, but you never came.
I waited, desperately needing to believe in you
that I could turn and you would be there,
I waited
but you never came.
e.1999

"You"
When I think of you,
it's like a riding a golden elevator to the sky
like twirling 'round and 'round in the midst of golden sunbeams
It's like love is on fire

But wait, there's more.

When I think of you, it's like the sound of ocean waves
rushing to my heart
it's like the warmth of a crackling fireplace
and throwing snowballs in sparkling snow
and a harp being plucked in slow motion

Love is like a sparkling diamond, a child's smile
and peppermint tea, like sailing into calm ocean waves
with the sun at my back
like visiting a waterfall surrounded by dark green valleys
and dark clouds receding after the rain, with a silver lining

And that's not all.

You compliment my life like sunsets and sunrises compliment the sky
And you're there with your heart of gold, silver, and rubies.
Once, when I was a lonely cactus in the desert,
your love touched me and I bloomed into a desert-rose
Once, when my movies were sad, you came to me, your
arms filled with comedies,
And I know God brought me to you
and you to me
and in God's love, life eternal will ever be.
***e***

"River"
Exuberant joy you lend to the parched earth;
parched not of thirsted soil,
the earth you quench is solace
to wandering, exiled souls, brimming of
wearied hearts,
crippled by society's demands,
weakened from secluded emotions,
hiding beneath protective boulders
too fragile to make known.
Beyond, in auspicious meadows
beneath a blistering sun
where the wrens harmonize and butterflies, their wings
brazened from the sun, dance in the sky
without care...there, where years, and even centuries ago,
grandfathers, fathers and sons, toiled;
their fields deep red of ripened tomatoes,
and other crops; they harvested until the
evening shadows prevented their labor for the day.
At your dampened banks,
fatigued limbs will
replenish the energy of their souls;
seeking renewal from the solace of your rushing
stream.
Your clairvoyant water, sparkling
like spilled jewels, revives,
replacing melancholy with hope and peace.
**essie**

“whistle blowin”

i hear a whistle a-blowin’
i could swear it’s a-callin’ my name
i feel that restlessness growin’
did you think things would stay the same?
you tell me that you love me
that i should hang around
you say you got somethin’ for me
but don’t you know i’m bound
to break your lovin’ heart
don’t make me finish somethin’
i don’t want to start
i know that i could love you, it know it deep inside
but when that lovin’ feelin’ comes around
i only wanna hide
can’t keep my feet planted on the ground
i’d rather take a ride
on that train
that’s callin’ my name
-down the dusty tracks of life
i’ll ride
destination, heartbreak town
through fields of sunflowers
woods and streams
i’ll while away the hours
and live out all my dreams.
e.2008

"I Could've Sworn It Was You"
My mind's playin' tricks on me again
memories fall like rain
Your face apears everywhere
When I looked towards the door
I could have swore
I saw you standing there
There you were
right before my eyes
your torn jeans faded blue
I knew for sure
it had to be you
I smelled the Stetson
you always wore, and
I could have sworn
 the person there
was you
I still put apple jelly
on my toast
just like I used to do
Soft brown carpet beneath my feet,
I sat across from what used to be your seat
watching the sun
beaming on the window pane,
wondering if I'd ever be happy again
You told me you loved me
but that wasn't enough
to keep you around
and all that stuff
You said goodbye with a wave of your hand
Now you're out there travelin' the land
Before I closed my eyes to sleep
I said a simple prayer
I glanced toward the door, and
could've sworn
I saw you standing there.
*essie*

"Lonely Night"
It's a lonely night
without a sound
and no-one in sight,
trembling fingers soothed by a cigarette
soothing memories better to forget
pathos hitching a ride in my heart
picking up where the happiness ended.
If I had my say
things would go my way;
the world would spin like cotton candy,
soft and delicate,
and the lights of LA would welcome me home,
I'd run on the shore of delight
under the pale moonlight,
the sand, cool beneath my feet,
but it's a lonely night
and I'm alone, always alone.
I'll pick up the pieces,
continue to roam
in the silent night
lonely night,
far from the one I love...
*essie*

"I Heard The Devil Laugh"
You came to me,
golden starlight in your eyes
shimmerin' moonbeams in your arms
swearin' you'd always keep me from harm
I thought I heard the Devil laugh
could've sworn I heard the devil laugh,
and he said, girl, there 'aint no turnin' back,
girl, there 'aint no turnin' back
Life started out so full of fun
countless days beneath the sun
then I learned life 'aint always sweet
sometimes it leaves ya feelin' beat-
I thought I heard the Devil laugh,
could've sworn I heard the Devil laugh
and he said, girl, there 'aint no turnin' back,
girl, there 'aint no turnin' back.
Got me a job at Bill's bookstore
but then he made me clean the floors
I said, I just 'aint goin' back
I can do me better than that
Then I thought I heard the Devil laugh,
could've sworn I heard the Devil laugh
and he said, girl, there 'aint no turnin' back,
girl, there 'aint no turnin' back
Went to college and got me some learnin'
thought bein' smart was what I was yearnin'
got my education, got my degree
thought all that would set me free...
I don't care if the blue bird sings
and I don't care about diamond rings
I believed in love, i believed in you,
those eyes that sparkled just like jewels
left me feelin' like a fool
...and I thought I heard the Devil laugh...
So, I says to the Devil, "Just go away! Come
on back another day! You 'aint gonna bring me down;
I'll chase you all around this town!"
....And I thought I heard the Devil laugh,
could've sworn I heard the Devil laugh, and
he said, girl, there 'aint no turnin' back,
girl, there 'aint no turnin' back.
*essie*

"Casey Lee"
We were friends
when we were seven
skipping to the 7-11,
dressed alike,
rode our bikes,
who'd have thought it would ever end.
Casey said, "I wanna be a star"
Back then I always knew that she'd go far.
She harbored her dreams,
they were wide as the sea-my childhood
friend, CaseyLee.
The rain poured the day her momma died,
and she was only eleven,
with her sorrow tucked deep inside,
she made a promise to heaven.
"Momma, it's not really about being a star...
it's not about being well known...when I'm the
best that I can be, I'll know that I have grown."
Casey always said she would be a star-
and I knew she was gonna go far.
She bought a used guitar one day,
strummed her heart and soul away,
pouring her pain into her songs.
Casey hit the Hollywood scene, but
never forgot where she once had been.
Years for her had not been fun,
but now Casey's vacationing in the sun.
Casey always said she would be a star
and now she sings in concert halls,
her face on posters on the walls.
Casey's heart is good and true
Casey, I always believed in you.
Our yesterdays faded into today
Casey, girl, you're on your way.
*essie*

live life, love, laugh, leap
before you look, take a chance
don't be afraid-dance!
*e*

have you ever had
a craving for some ice cream?
any kind will do!
*e*
the cat in the hat
is a funny cat
what do you think about that?
*e*
i will fill my soul
with all that i can muster
all that i can dream
*e*
hummingbird, are you
ever weary of flapping
your wings so, so, fast?
*e*
beautiful,great,good
marvelous, and wonderful
what is life to you?
*e*



"Marry Me"
marry me
between the shore and sea
marry me 'neath purple skies
at sunset or sunrise
marry me on a boat
on an ocean wide
marry me in the dark of the night
'neath the silvery moon
where the stars shine like jewels in the sky
marry me in a hot-air balloon
and from this earth, we'll fly
marry me in the place where the mountains and the valleys loom
marry me in yellow fields where daisies bloom
be my one and only
keep my heart from being lonely
you'll make my dreams come true
if only you'll say i do.
*essie*

"Consumed"
close your eyes
breathe
let the world fill you
consume you
soft, like beams of moonlight
and rose petals beneath your feet
you come to a place that is all your own
to a place your heart calls home
where worries and cares blow gently away
riding on the crest of waves
into the ocean, far away
the gentle breeze of the night
protects you, shielding the fears
you hold inside,
exposing the weakness you try to hide
and whispers of things to come
when you no longer need to run
...searching for lost dreams you left behind
take my hand, believe in me,
I'm yours for all eternity-
let me be the one you turn to
seeking shelter from the storm
share with me, my life, my love,
I'll make your dreams my own.
*essie*
"Hot Air Balloon"
I don't know where to go
perhaps Ohio
or cross the Great Divide?
Could I make it to the shadowed moon
riding in my hot air balloon?
I need a ticket
I need it soon
I don't know what I'm gonna do-
so tired of these lonesome blues
I wanna take all my love
pour it in a golden cup
stow it on a shelf up high
do what it takes to get me by
I'm so blue, i just wanna cry
I'm so blue, I just wanna fly to
that shadowed moon
inside a hot air balloon
(forget about you)
(forget about me)
(forget how we used to be)
who will ride with me in my hot air balloon?
who will fly with me to the shadowed moon?
we'll drift out among the stars
we'll fly away,
we can say goodbye,
leave behind the lonesome blues
and leave them 'neath the shadowed moon.
*essie*
it's just another goodbye
another feather in the hat
did you think i'd c
                           r
                            u
                             m
                               b
                                 l
                                  e
think i'd cry?
you should have known me better than that.
*e*
"I Used To Be In New Mexico"
i used to be in New Mexico
taking care of business
remembering the long, lonely stretch of highway
i once traveled with my ex

past white sand and
adobe houses and
souvenir shops

struggling with pain
endeavored from death
much too sudden,
much too soon

i used to be in New Mexico
later, I went there alone
the same highway
same white sands
same adobe houses
same souvenir shops

i wanted to stay at Mom's
but couldn't bring myself to stay;
her memory was too vivid,
there, in her chili paintings
on the cabinets and living room rug

her belongings sat on the dresser
awaiting her return
but she never got to go back

outside, the hot sun bore on the old ford truck
her mexican pottery she'd owned for years
sat in the front yard, paled from use and weather

i saw large, beautiful mountains from her bedroom window
the same ones she'd sent photos of -
covered with snow, surrounded by light blue skies

she had been proud, and told us to come visit,
but we never did,
i never did
until it was too late.
she wasn't there anymore
when i finally made it to New Mexico
*essie*

i hear an empty echo
when i say i love you
your voice is so hushed
what's that? i can barely hear you...
oh, no wonder,
you never spoke at all.
*essie*

"I wonder"
It's coming up,
the day he was born,
and come to think of it,
I never knew too much about
his growing up years…
He was one of twelve brothers
and sisters, and I recall
him saying once, that
he had envied the twins
who stole his mother's attention.
he had told me this, his light blue eyes
gazing straight into mine,
and i looked away
because at the time,
i didn't feel sorry for him.
i held sympathy at an arm's distance
for this man, my father,
still, a stranger by design.
I wonder now, if he ever roamed wide
open meadows on the farm;
of if he walked barefoot
in cold, clear streams.
Many years later,
with my own children
living far away,
I find out that he had lived
with an illness
I hadn't known
he had...
all those "episodes"
as mother had called them,
had not been high voltage tantrums;
they had been an essence of his world that
gave him wings to soar over the clouds,
then spiraled, hurled, dropped him like a bomb,
upon a hard crusted earth.
I wonder if he had ever, between all the ups and downs,
found a happy medium.
He had a heart of gold; willing to help
anyone, anytime,
but was his spirit was stifled, in the cage of his soul,
harboring melancholy, demanding its share of his life.
He gave his love and fear and loneliness to Christ.
In this memory, I still hear his voice raised high
as he sang the hymnal he loved so dear:
"Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? When Jesus
is my portion? My constant friend is He,
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me...I sing
because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,
For his eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me..." (written by C H Gabriel; C D Martin)
*essie*




**e**