Lifesmith Folk

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." The mutant panhandler got on the bus and shuffled over to me Sputtered through his broken teeth, "Actually made it to fifty." His baby stroller overhanging in the aisle it spilled upon the floor "It'll be a good day," he eked out, he rolled his life to the door. And the aged indifferent zombied old man crawled upon the stage Three days beard and rubber-tipped cane dying light spurred no rage Eerily greeted me with deadpan eyes, needed help to reach his seat Staring out as if he were blind, getting home's his gold medal feat. So Beulah and her baby snuck on in the back, pushed aside the others Showing her daughter it's okay to cheat, an embarrassment to mothers Then dared lecture the kid on morality until I was about to puke In my younger days opened my mouth full of indignance and rebuke. Countless Spanish ladies making their way to work as somebody's maid Each with their own brand of accounting the petty wages they are paid And make-believe students by the score shuttle on and off with books Starving and slaving, paying their dues, amidst the old peoples' looks. In jumps Skateboard Dan with tats and chain, sneers as he finds a seat Too immature to think of others in his Halloween costume complete Oblivious to us, he plugs in his music, some savage punk rock sound Holes in his jeans, holes in his soul, his arrogance knows no bound. Now move aside for the wheelchair vet, deserves front row seats at the show All I can manage is an inadequate sad smile instead of the reward we forego He's strapped in tight so his wheels won't roll, couldn't escape if he had to A microcosm of his sacrificed existence some shrapnel brought home true. Next in line is the fair-haired beach nut whose sandals and clothes don't match Skipped out of work, said he was sick, a contrivance he's practiced to hatch Pretends he receives a telephone call, and loudly tells everyone his plans This very average self-important surfer slug runs with the also-rans. The driver sits placid amidst it all, hundreds of times seen it all before The interest of the novelty wore off long ago, just opening and closing the door. Taking the change, giving directions, all in a deserved day's pay Numb to the entertaining zoo around them, uneventfulness is the way. And I sit quietly minding my business, formulate thoughts in my head Polite when I need to, careful the same, fantasize my dreams intrepid Absorbing the scenes a retroactive playwright, tell stories, recall the day Requesting my stop, it's right up ahead, glad to be on my way.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Be careful not to stub your toe Be careful choosing who you owe Be careful how you watch the light Be careful going out at night Be careful as to who you hire Be careful moreso as to who you fire Be careful not to swim too deep Be careful to look before you leap. Be careful to always wash your fruit Be careful for which teams you root Be careful when you're running late Be careful considering your fate Be careful when playing with your toys Be careful drinking with the boys Be careful when the waves are crashing Be careful when your teeth are gnashing. So many warnings in this life you see So many trials, so many fears This modern day's full of misery Pay good heed to your eyes and ears. Be careful when you eat your lunch Be careful when you throw a punch Be careful when you laugh too loud Be careful when you act too proud Be careful choosing who to vote Be careful how you sail your boat Be careful how you drive your car Be careful not to go too far. Yes be careful how you give your word Be careful insulting the classroom nerd Be careful talking to your boss Be careful pouring on hot sauce Be careful what you wish for Be careful opening the door Be careful the letters that you write Be careful with the enemies you fight.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." From the mountains of Everest to the hills of Jerusalem We have come in the name of peace for all and we call Earth our home. We come from the land of sun and snow Where the wind blows the trees and the wheat fields grow From our Gods to our souls our honor rings true We vow justice and truth for me and you. We have seen the cases and run the races For growth is the understanding of peace In galaxy's spaces our memory traces Imperial Rome and classical Greece. From the east come our numbers, strong and lean From the west comes the US, society's dream From European roots come most of our minds From the native south comes survival's shrines. The world ocean abounds with life and resources Our animals so great, the dogs, cattle and horses Our vines pour over the wine of our days The streams and rivers are nature's waterways. By the power invested in the people of Earth We entreat your welcome for wisdom and mirth Our message is peace for all to see From sea to shining sea.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Gorgeous dream lover you're out there I know Wait till I find you, I'll make you my own I doubt we've met cause I ain't seen you yet Your face in my mind I can hardly forget. Where are you now, fine woman of mine In high school, in college, earth mother divine Coming out of the deep or out of the wild Out of the blue, you wondrous love child. Don't know what to look for, don't know your name Don't know our future so there's no one to blame I see you in dreams alive at my side Together forever in love will we ride.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." There was a time when smoking some grass was like a religious experience A ritual act, some magic performed, an involvement in spiritual benevolence. The sights, the sounds, the colorful clowns, the music of Hendrix and Doors Wide open to alternative thinking when Reagan and Nixon were boors. We thought we were special, hippies indeed, when brotherhood was the calling Dressing the part, we knew in our hearts, Mankind’s progress was crawling Covetous greed fuels the selfish need, denying a cooperative sense We freely gave of ourselves and behaved as respectful, peaceable gents. How many times did we smoke and joke how foolish were society’s mores How often we vowed to set an example by not supporting the wars A better way can be seen when you smoke, not too often it’s true Even too much milk can get you in trouble, moderation given its due. I can remember (is it a wonder?) how everything seemed to be so fresh The kiss of a girl, the gleam of a pearl, a cracker just tasted delish The sound of a drum, the taste of a plum, senses heightened for sure Perception is key with an attitude freed for a trip of boredom cured. Yet now things have changed and not for the better, pot has given to waste Ambition for abusing the light of day gives the night time a bitter taste The mystical part of the trip is gone, a crass party-hearty is here Now seems so senseless the reason to do so which at one time was so clear. I’m proud of my past and that I smoked grass in the 60s that everyone loved I’m so glad that I saw the natural draw of living below and above Young people now have no driving aim, they know not how to treat time Wasting away at primitive parties, a loss of wisdom’s a crime.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Rant." The seduction of a future, a perfect yet to occur Is difficult to ignore and leads us by the nose. Our present troubles don't exist in ideal times hence As naturally, we hope, as the blossoming of a rose. The past has its allure too, memories fond and dear, Selective inbred succors us, pain fades as morning light Dominates our mind's eye relief where shadows wash away The anguish of a life not so planned, not quite right. But we fool ourselves this way, this awkward life’s snapshots Intoxicates us so to be blinded to the big picture screen Where life happens all at once, the inescapable now How every moment is a universe just waiting to be seen. Comfort motivates us to adopt such a fictional state Reality places no obligation, so commons go the easy way Planning for some flawless future, living in a painless past We sacrifice the precious present, a present given we belay. An irony it is we that recreate the past each time we do conceive We reshape our plans as well, flexible as fluid indeed But the now moment is timeless infinite eternity Always existing, the same for all, a truth we cannot exceed. And as we grow from our linear perception of passing time To being the path itself on which we presumably tread Past and future will blend into one everlasting now Evolving into Human Being 2.0, our old selves lying dead.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Well I'm sitting here now just resting my bones Loneliness and memories won't leave me alone Ya know I'm torn apart, baby can't you see Got the Road-Not-Taken Syndrome as plain as could be. Well I haven't decided about this or that But I know I can make it without getting fat The road fans out like a wide delta bay The scarecrow's crossroads or who do I lay. Well I'm trying to weigh all the facts I'm told Been reasoning and seasoning--I'm still confused and cold Ya know this seeing to the future ain't so easy at all The lady or the tiger or a gambler's bouncing ball. Well ya know I'm finding out there's no time for everything So fill your bag while you're on the move and you'll become a king But which experiences mean the most, how in the hell can we say Just take your shot, say thanks a lot, and hang it in the sway. I've got the Road-Not-Taken syndrome, that's as clear as can be I've been looking back over my shoulder as careful as I need So when the night is over and the sweat's been poured and drained Swear to me that freedom's a myth and life is just a game.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Drivel." One sunny day in the middle of the night Two dead men got up to fight Back to back they faced each other Pulled out a knife and shot each other. A deaf policeman heard the noise Let them both go but arrested the boys “We did the crime, but we’re innocent, We’re peaceful guys, we like to foment.” The blind desk sergeant saw what they’d done “I’ll show my knife,” and pulled out a gun “Put them in jail, release them right now,” He said with a smile while wearing a frown. The boys crawled away but raced out so fast Right out in front they were easily passed By a man in a Chevy who skated on by Her T-Bird was screaming in silence it cried. Uptown they flew to a downtown bar Counted their bus fare and drove in a car Ordered some whiskey and drank down a beer Scared as could be they’d nothing to fear. The sergeant pursued them he gave up the chase He slowed down to catch them and picked up the pace Sarge almost caught ‘em, he wasn’t even close So he stepped on the gas and continued to coast. The boys left the bar and stayed all night Pitch back outside the dawn’s early light Made it easy to see them lost in the haze Their path was straight forward just like a maze. They swam in the desert dry as the ocean Not even moving just staying in motion They quivered in hiding didn’t wink an eye Cops screamed for surrender with a lowly sigh. The boys resisted capture and gave up right there So concerned for their future they really didn’t care Hauled off to jail, the sergeant let them go To a life full of happiness and days full of woe. And so you see with your ears pricked up high It’s worth giving up if you give it a try Just make it your promise don’t even bother To say one thing and then do another.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Blather." There is poetry in everything I hear, feel and see Like the breeze through the trees And the lapping of the sea The shape of a rock or the dregs in tea. The expanse of a cloud, the cadence of rain The song of a bird or the coastline of Spain. A deeper meaning is there for you all A sense to uncover an obligation to recall Your relation to Nature, a higher connection than clear At first blush so simple, at its zenith so dear The crux is not built-in, not one of cold state But a static apparition, one of personal weight. The older I get, the deeper I see Creating my poetry, the meaning of Be. I can’t help but notice the relations of things All to one another, how the Universe sings. It’s a poem all by itself, extrication supreme An everlasting truth, the undiscovered dream. There is poetry and meaning in all that there is Sunlight on the water, a sand grain’s curiosity A butterfly’s flutter, and berries on the vine The symphony of whitecaps, bouquet of sweet wine The majesty of cliffs, the whirling of the world The vengeance of a storm, the smile of a girl.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Pablum." Bring my frail bones to the beach And let me lap over amniotic waves Beseech the gods of wind and surf Treasure produced by One who saves. Mortality is and youth will be served Modern biology makes us all slaves The aches and pains in places unknown Relentlessly becomes resignation to behave. Was a whitecap once in calmer seas My heresies then are commonly paved Water once clear is all too muddied now Greater winds detract the beauty of waves. Let the ocean's tears wash away my sins In its trusted light let me lave It brightens my heart and eases my soul To know that I took less than I gave.