they first occur
in early years
holiday myths
betray our trust
and on their heels
the myths of faith
instilled with fear
and lasting guilt
and then the words
that make no sense
to teenaged minds
in search of truth
and soon the lies
of broken love
that open wounds
that never heal
and then our turn
to foster myths
when we have children
of our own
and finally time
to hide the truth
that we decide
need not be known
love and commitment
laughter and joy
the support of family
the company of friends
pride and achievement
a successful career
the beauty of nature
the solace of art
granted old age
each year a gift
admired by colleagues
rewarded for skill
and yet it persists
the black hole of life
the hidden sorrows
that alter its course
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
