so close in age
my mind a sponge
iconic songs
of protest and rage
his voice belied
the timeless words
as true today
as in the past
his anger toward
the big machine
that ruins lives
and plunders earth
and still he sings
of truth and rights
though not so young
as decades pass
few know his heart
or if of gold
but on his sleeve
Neil's soul is worn
sun in the trees
shadows on the land
light on the water
color in the sky
stories in the old
hope in the young
peace at the home
trouble in the streets
fear in his eyes
love in her gaze
joy in their tears
sorrow in her smile
moments in time
beauty and pain
truth exposed
memories in print
it takes courage
to speak out
to defend truth
and oppose hate
it takes courage
to demand justice
to fight poverty
and relieve pain
it takes courage
to protect freedom
and most of all
to express love
a pleasant tune
lyrics of gold
promises made
emotions bare
convincing words
from deep within
and written for
the one he loves
sincere throughout
infused with hope
devoid of doubt
success assured
but what of pain
he must endure
perhaps he's young
and doesn't know
a land of water
rocks and snow
of conifers
and pebbled beach
scoured by ice
lashed by storms
its beauty born
of violence
home to moose
wolves and bear
where eagles soar
mergansers fish
a rugged place
for hardy souls
where life relies
on nature's gifts
born of man
conceived in fear
a refuge from pain
a symbol of hope
the ultimate power
that nurtures and kills
appeased by prayer
and suffering
a mystery to some
while others believe
hidden from man
all signs obscure
the source of love
an excuse for hate
demanding faith
and promising life
a kind response
to words and deeds
that trigger pain
and threaten bonds
a trying choice
to let it be
when self esteem
is on the line
but if we care
and if we can
forgiveness is
the path to peace
a steamy grove
of trees and shrubs
with stagnant pools
along the creek
insects buzz
about my face
as silent birds
drift overhead
distant thunder
and somber skies
suggest relief
that may not come
a crumbling box
contains the past
clues to why
the choices made
places in time
events and friends
many recalled
others obscure
too late to change
the data found
no way to edit
the entries made
insight gained
but questions still
few answers rise
to explain regrets
time to burn
those paper clues
time to accept
how life evolved
thoughts expressed
usually sincere
sometimes welcome
often ignored
offered with love
or simply as help
from one to another
accepted or not
a human urge
perhaps to excess
a sense of duty
a means of control
based on the past
or just on a hunch
a sign of concern
a gift to assess
beware the reason
consider the source
for trust is key
when taking advice
