ALNILAM
I have dreams, every now and then, that feel like memories. I find myself walking in a world much like this one. When I wake I recall running through the dunes, as if I knew the way. In the pale, saffron light of an alien sun, fine sand looks like gold dust. Oh and I remember you. You were there too. Large, like moons, Orion’s string of pearls hang in the sky. Then you turned to me and said, “Alnilam’s the brightest one.” When I wake I recall standing by the sea, tall grass swaying in the wind. Tide pools sparkling, teeming with life, singing a symphony of blue. When I wake I recall running through the dunes, as if I knew the way. In the pale, saffron light of an alien sun, fine sand looks like gold dust. Shine on Alnilam
A SONG FOR THE WIND
I’ve been trying to get used to your voice only in my mind. Your sweet face only in pictures. I still forget sometimes. There’s so much I’d like to tell you, things that would have made you laugh. There’s so much I’d like to tell you, but you’re just a photograph. I’ve been walking and I’ve been running. I’ve been dreaming that I’m flying. This is all that I have found. Take a picture, take a picture, life all around. There’s a garden on the rooftop. I can see the sea from here. Rows of weeds wave little flowers. My shadow changes every hour. There’s so much I’d like to tell you, things that would have made you laugh. There’s so much I’d like to tell you, but you’re just a photograph. I’ve been walking and I’ve been running. I’ve been dreaming that I’m flying. This is all that I have found. Take a picture, take a picture, life all around.
Ocean winds push clouds around. A flock of starlings circles down, as if they were just one.
NEW YEAR
The last time I saw you, you sat across the table. We had a drink or two before the year was through. You stared at me all night, don’t know why you were unable (right in front of you) to see me across the table. It’s been a long time since I thought I knew you well. You looked like a prince. (It’s been a long time since.) Outside the heavy snow was falling like rain. We said goodnight and I stepped out into that white world. I knew my heart was breaking. It’s been a long time since. I thought I knew you well. It’s been a long time since. I thought I knew you well. The last time I saw you we talked about the weather, movies we had seen, and things we’ll never do. It’s been a long time since I thought I knew you well. You looked like a prince. (It’s been a long time since.) Inside the lights were dim, the windows were steamed. Polite conversation lost in celebration. It’s been a long time since. I thought I knew you well.
GREEN MANSIONS
High on the branches of familiar trees. I lived in mansions of green, unseen. What touches me? What can I do? What will I give? What will I leave? Years went by in the blink of an eye. I saw the giants come down, undone. What touches me? What can I do? What will I give? What will I leave? Images and headlines too sad to bear. People in the streets. Images and headlines too sad to bear. What touches you? What can you do? What will you give? What will you leave?
WISH
When voices no longer stay quiet and eyes can no longer stay closed. When love becomes the answer and hope embraces us all. Wishes sail across the ocean under this wide open sky. Currents of freedom in motion rushing in from every side. Pick it up and think it over. Lift it up and move it over. Dare to build a new tomorrow. Wishes sail across the ocean under this indigo sky. Rivers of people in motion rising to stand by your side.
LILAC
Come to me my darling. Wrap your arms around my neck. Kiss my eyelids and my nose. Say you’ll always hold me close. You don’t know this yet, but someday you’ll see, these will be the good old days. All your questions will hang like your grandmother’s wash. Rippling in the wind. Dripping in the sun. And you’ll let them go. And you’ll let them go. Sometimes no answer is all there is. But you can’t deny birds in the sky are beautiful when they fly. I’m so lucky I’m the one who gets to hold your tiny hand. The past is over and it’s gone. The future hasn’t yet begun. The present’s just fine as long as you’re mine. (Chorus) Come to me my darling. Wrap your arms around my neck. Kiss my eyelids and my nose. Say you’ll always hold me close.
RISE
Big changes around the corner. Trying them on for size. New skin still a bit too tight, but the place and time feel right, I’m feeling a little light-headed tonight. Happy to find I’m not dancing alone. Feel our spirits rising higher. Flying colors. Test of fire. I’m feeling a little light-headed tonight. Look around we’re not dancing alone. Feel our spirits rising higher. Throw the ballast in the fire. Your eyes your grin. I drink you in. (Where have you been? Is this happening?) Your hair your skin. I breathe you in. (Where have you been? Where have you been?) I’m feeling a little light-headed tonight. Look around we’re not dancing alone.
VIRGIL’S REQUEST
(Lyrics adapted from Virgil’s Georgics, 29 BC)
Ye sacred Muses! With whose beauty fired. My soul is ravished and my brain inspired. Whose priest I am, whose holy robes I wear. Would you your poet’s first petition hear? Give me the ways of wandering stars to know. Why flowing tides prevail upon the main? And in what dark recess they shrink again? What shakes the solid earth? What force delays the summer nights and shortens winter days? But, if my heavy blood restrain the flight of my free soul aspiring to the height of nature and unclouded fields of light. My next desire is, void of care and strife, to lead a soft, secure, inglorious life. A country cottage near a crystal flood. A winding valley, and a lofty wood. Some god conduct me to the sacred shades where bacchanals are sung by Spartan maids. Happy the ones who, studying nature’s laws through known effects can trace the secret cause. Their mind possessing in a quiet state. Fearless of fortune and resigned to fate!
SMALLER DREAMS
You trace the raindrops on your window. Watch them falling from the sky. Beyond the glass your visions soaring over trees and through the channels. And another day is ending with your dreams upon your sleeve. Open doors and chairs and tables. On the floor a nest of cables. While another day is ending with your dreams upon your sleeve. Outside another day is ending with your dreams upon your shoulders. Outside another day is ending with your dreams upon your sleeve.
WHEN IT COMES TO YOU
These early rains turn everything green. These days I drift in wonder. Nothing’s what it seems, When it comes to you I am not myself. When I look at you I hide behind my eyes. When I talk to you I hope you can’t hear, when I’m close to you, thunder in my ears. These early rains leave me feeling blue. These days I dream in color. All because of you. When it comes to you I am not myself. When I look at you I hide behind my eyes. When I talk to you I hope you can’t hear, when I’m close to you, thunder in my ears. When it comes to you I am not myself. When I look within you’re under my skin.
ALNILAM 