R.I.P.

When your mother was a child
We used to play, oh, so many things
We'd make up wonderful places
Make up fairies and kings
And I'd love to play with you too
If my old bones would let me
Love to make memories with you
So you wouldn't forget me
But you are so young
There hasn't been time
To make up worlds
Or silly songs that rhyme
You're so very small
Not yet even two
And I'm so very old
There's not much left I can do . . .

So this is goodbye
Though we've hardly said hello
And I'm sorry to leave you so soon
Sorry I have to go
But I'm giving you this rhyme
So that when you're older you can look back
And know how much this family loves you
Even the grandparents you will lack

Now my daughter will be strict
But she'll have your best intentions in mind
And so will my son in law
But they'll both also love you and be kind
You haven't met your grandmother
My wife died before you were born
But even now I know she loves you
And that belief deserves no scorn
Know that you are loved
Even when things don't go right
Know that you are cherished
Even when there's a fight
Know that life will go on
Even when at its worst
Know that your parents will always be there
They'll always put you first

Have a wonderful life, my child
I hope its full of laughter
I hope you accomplish everything you want to
I hope you have a happily ever after
And when you too are old and gray
I hope you'll still remember
Your loving grand-poppy
Who died the twenty-sixth of September  

Ticket

I was made to worry and fret
I was made to work and sweat
I was made to run and hide
I was made to listen while they lied
I was made for so much more
Than to be a servant who opens the door
I'm made for more than what they've made me to be
I'm made for the world but they've imprisoned me

They made and forced me to run away
They made and taught me not to stay
They made and whipped me so I'd work
They made and scared me about the things that lurk
You made and created me to stand up and fight
You're there and protect me all through the night
You made and taught me how to work so I'd live
You made and taught me how to give

They chased after me so I had to hide
They faked a smile while they lied
They laughed as I started to sweat
They laugh whenever I start to fret
You found and comforted me, you dried my tears
You made me strong so that I might stand up to my fears
You told me not to heed their words, whether insult or flatter
You told me that their opinions about me didn't matter

They lie and abuse me, but You're my ticket out
They try to silence me, but You gave me a voice that can shout
I can object, and I can choose when to go or stay
Because You're always going to be there, come what may
So I don't have to worry or fret or strife
Because every single second of every single day You breathe into me the breath of life
And if You stopped for just one moment
I would become nonexistent

The fact that I have lived and keep on living
Is proof that You believe my life is worth giving
And You give it every single second, willingly
Because I am worth while.  Because you love me.

Wake Up Again

Too much noise
Too many faces
Don't know these people
Don't know these places

Smiling mouths
Frowning eyes
When someone says they're fine
They reek of lies

Can't reach the stars
So catch a cloud
Everything's too quiet
And then too loud

Wish on a star
Blow out a candle
But no wish can backtrack time
Or erase a scandal

Read a book
Watch a show
Because life's boring or too hard
And you need to get away, to go

Play a game
Listen to a song
Don't want a chance to think
Because then you know you're wrong

Gaze at stars
Pick out shapes in the clouds
Try to be original
So you'll stand out in the crowds

But when you try so hard
You turn into
Someone who is very far
From the real you

Want to stand out
But don't want to be judged
Like drawing a chalk picture on the ground
And expecting it not to be smudged

Act like everyone else
Because then you're protected
Because when everyone's the same
You'll never be corrected

Want to be you
But act like someone else instead
You have a point to make
But you'll only argue it in your head

You have something to say
But you're too scared to say it
You want to continue
But you've already made a forfeit

Wake up!
It's morning again
Every day is a restart
Why don't you try to win?

Get up!
Today's a blank page
Won't you be you
And get out of this cage?

Speak up!
Say what's on your mind
You don't have to be a robot
You can be kind

Stand up!
It's a new day
Even if they judge
You'll be okay

The Ups And Downs Of Coasting

Wind whistles in my ears
My heart explodes with fears
I scream at the top of my voice
And begin to question my choice
Of ever getting on this ride
Everyone said it was fun, but surely they've lied
My stomach lodges itself in my throat
This ride would be impossible to sugar coat
My chest feels like it may erupt
Then the ride stops, rather abrupt
I shakily raise to my feet
Listening to my pounding heartbeat
And then suddenly I smile, surprised to find
I'm happy; surely I've lost my mind
Because now, looking back, the ride was fun
And I really want to try an even bigger one