poem

Layaway

Baby loves the ocean

But he’s afraid to swim

Stands out against the waves

And takes ’em on the chin

 

Baby loves his music

But he won’t play a note

Leans against the lyrics

Repeats ’em all by rote

 

Well, what’ll come out if baby plays?

If he lets the tide take him away?

Nobody knows ’cause nobody stays

Baby’s love’s on layaway

 

And baby loves tomorrow

Always one more than today

Postdating his sorrows

But someone always pays

 

Well, what’ll come out if baby plays?

Lets the tide wash his fears away?

Nobody knows ’cause nobody stays

Baby’s love’s on layaway

No Reservations

Well, I guess you weren’t expecting me

And now I’m standing here

I’ve got no reservations

Didn’t mean to interfere

 

Well, I guess I’m awful willing

To try a new frontier

I’ve got some hesitations, boy

But my heart is sincere

 

Well, I guess I’m near-done waiting

For your hand to volunteer

‘Cause I’ve got a destination

And my direction’s clear

Faith

 

Of all the ends

And all the starts

And every in-between

I asked the moon

To give me faith

And here is what I gleaned:

 

She lured the waves

To sandy shores

And set the wind at ease

She asked me, she said,

‘Go to water

Wade out past your knees.’

 

Beyond the breaks

Close to my heart

The peaks and troughs grew wider

I balanced on my tippy toes

As though on a wire

 

Standing up

Against the waves

I swallowed my own wraith

Surrendering

To something else

Now that was having faith