Skyland

Sept. 9, 2004
International House, Berkeley
For Jessica Lehman

When you’re walking in Skyland
In your bare feet
The buck & the doe in the blueberry patch
Playing hide and seek
I reckon you’ll be calling, maybe looking out for me
Some metaphor for falling with the leaves.

But seeing ain’t believing when you’re stuck with seeing me
I’m hard to believe.

When you’re walking in Skyland
So high you can barely breathe
All colors of autumn
Tickling your feet
You may not feel like calling or like looking out for me
I have long since fallen with the leaves.
I believe it’s all in what we choose to closely keep
I’m betting on the best of all these things.

Seeing ain’t believing when you’re stuck with seeing me
I’ve got redemption, I’ve got roses up my sleeve
I’m trying to believe.

When I’m walking in Skyland
One day that I foresee
I’ll lay down in the blueberry patch
Looking for relief
The buck and the doe are bedded down; they share my memories
They’ll show me just how to let it be.
Metaphors for falling all will fall come the spring
I’m betting on the best of all these things.
And I’ve got a reason still to sing.

Seeing is believing when you stand in front of me
I’m calling your name.
Hey Jessica…
I’m trying to believe.

Syncopation

July 12, 2003 – Washington, DC

I’m unconnected
In my ambitious life
I live in broken moments without grace.
Now what I could embrace
Is your whole and Holy life, with God on Sundays
While you’re weaving a shawl a child’s size
Now I get ready to
Stop the syncopation, get in time
Get people to
Join the One Big Union, unify
And I’m lovin’ it
But I might miss your unity of form
Playing politics of course
Living seconds by the score.

I’m a staccato
And true to torrid form
I analyze the books to make the case
Now what I could embrace
Is your home and homely life
For respect
You’re keeping quiet
Smiling at your mother’s side
Now I get ready to
Stop the syncopation, get in line
I call you to
End the occupation of your mind
But I might miss your unity
For I’m discontinuity
Each second is separate in my eyes.

I don’t want to ruin a painting
I know my touch is a ticking clock
And still I reach.

You’re impossible to climb.
You’re impossible to climb.

Come connect the moments by my side
Stop the syncopation of my life.

Words

Berkeley / Oakland
May/June 2006

I could see you after midnight,
For what it’s worth.
Or in the early morning
When you finally get off work.
I could find you on the hillside
Sifting dreams
Reading letters you never received.

You are so good
With words
She says to me.
But I am not so good
With meaning, apparently.
I am so good with words
She says to me.
But these words
Cannot keep you, cannot keep.

If I could meet you
To sit with me
In silence.
To understand the beauty in simple things.
If I could somehow share
How to love the longing
I might find meaning in my reach.

I could see you after midnight
Without a word
Taking out the ghost ride
When you finally get off work.
I have seen you in the sunrise
Waking up
Gathering belongings
When we should be making love.
But I see you on the shoreline
Skipping stones
And each bears a wish to be alone.

You are so good
With words
She says to me.
But I am not so good
With meaning
Apparently.
You are so good
With words
She says to me.
But I believe
I’m long since
Out of reach.

I stare out the window and see time
And constance
The sadness in all things.
And it’s beautiful
Though I cannot expect
Anyone to see the same
That’s the madness I keep.

I never meant to be good, only
To understand myself
And why I can’t feel right.
And every well-written word
Eases my unquiet mind
Just confides to realize twisted

You are so good
With words
She says to me
But I am not so good
With staying
In your reach.

You are so good
With words
She says to me
But I am not so good
With love
Apparently.

I’m Only Sayin’

May 24, 2006 – Oakland

Color
Your cheeks are burnt beneath the sun.
Another
Line you use to say you’ve gotta run.

I’m only sayin’
You should be stayin’.
I’m only sayin’
Don’t be afraid to be right here.

It’s summer
It’s been the longest winter yet.
And I cannot afford
Another summer of regret.

I’m tired
I’m mired in my mind.
And you’re wired you’re inspired.
Inspired now.

Yeah, I’m tired
Of every lonely day.
And I don’t see no use
In goin’ our separate ways.

I’m sayin’
You should be stayin’.
I’m only sayin’
Don’t be afraid to be right here.

Work just works to keep us alone and weak
Trading art or meaning for some task.
But we’ve got this porch and a quiet day
And there’s nothing more I’d ask.

We’re perfect; we’re far from being burned.
We’re perfect, hey
As far as I’m concerned.

I’m only sayin’
You should be stayin’.
I’m sayin’
Don’t be afraid to be right here.