I'd Rather Stay Awake When I'm Asleep

If I had a million hugs,
I'd turn them into stars
And put them in the sky above,
They'd see them clear from mars
Then I'd turn them into raindrops,
To wash away your tears
Finally to hugs again,
They'd take away your fears

Rhyme inspired by Summer Florence
And Owl City "Fireflies"

Do One Thing Everyday That Scares You

Looking around it becomes suddenly clear
A place never seen before, is here
The rocks, the sky and the traveled trail
Are all new down to the finest detail

Choices to make, based on what is seen
Steps to take with jumps in between
It's hard to tell if it's right or wrong
That's why I keep listening to this song

Sometimes it's sunny, but sometimes it rains
Just keep on walking, even through the pain
Turning the corner there's a beauitful look
Is this the path that originally I took?

The next steps are hard, feet covered in blood
The storms come down, turn the path to mud
Everyday is different, yet everyday's the same
The search for survival is much more than a game

I haven't got a clue, so don't take my advice
I'll tell you what you want to hear, paint the picture nice
Go where you've never been, get a grip
It's fun and it hurts, but you won't regret the trip

Rhyme inspired by "Everyone Is Free To Wear Sunscreen"

Vegetarian Goodbye

Beef, pork, chicken, sheep
Are all kinds of different meat
Bacon, sausage, turkey, fish
Every meat that you could wish
Squirrel, rabbit, possum, rat
Vegetables really aren't all that
Gator, coon, dolphin, duck
With some sauce, if you've got luck
Beaver, bison, pigeon, snake
All mixed in with some beefsteak
Elk, moose, deer, bear
It's all good cuz I don't care

Rhyme inspired by a month of being a vegetarian
And Jimmy Buffett "Cheeseburger In Paradise"

It Is Not The Work Of God That Is Frustrated, But The Work Of Man

If you take it apart by notes,
And listen to each individual sound
It isn't the masterpiece the artist wrote
For the flow and the rhythm are bound

But if you bear on and hear it complete
You will find it works together for good
The rise and the fall, combined with the beat,
Do exactly what they promised they would

Just as with music, our lives are the same
We cannot observe only now
And expect to see the masterpiece framed
We must trust that God sees the how

So as we experience the music of life
We musn't get down on the present
But rather push through the pain and the strife
For the intent of our being is quite pleasant

Rhyme inspired by Lindsey Crandall and D&C 3:1-3
And Paul Cardall's rendition of
"A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief"

So Now You Finally Know, You Control Where You Go. You Can Steer

"You" by Edgar Guest
You are the fellow that has to decide
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside.
You are the fellow who makes up your mind
Whether you'll lead or will linger behind
Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar
Or just be contented to stay where you are.
Take it or leave it. Here's something to do!
Just think it over --- It's all up to you!

What do you wish? To be known as a shirk,
Known as a good man who's willing to work,
Scorned for a loafer or praised by your chief,
Rich man or poor man or beggar or thief?
Eager or earnest or dull through the day,
Honest or crooked? It's you who must say!
You must decide in the face of the test
Whether you'll shirk it or give it your best.

Nobody here will compel you to rise;
No one will force you to open your eyes;
No one will answer for you yes or no,
Whether to stay there or whether to go.
Life is a game, but it's you who must say,
Whether as cheat or as sportsman you'll play.
Fate may betray you, but you settle first
Whether to live to your best or your worst.

So, whatever it is you are wanting to be,
Remember, to fashion the choice you are free.
Kindly or selfish, or gentle or strong,
Keeping the right way or taking the wrong,
Careless of honor or guarding your pride,
All these are questions which you must decide.
Yours the selection, whichever you do;
The thing men call character's all up to you!

Posting of Poem inspired by ward conference
And Missy Higgins "Steer"

L-O-V-E

This subject is so hard for me
To explain and express effectively
It's the way I spell it, L-O-V-E
That seems to be done differently

You have noticed it's the subject of choice
When I sit down to write out my thoughts unvoiced
It's the solution to this puzzle in which I rejoice
It's the constant ear ringing, unignorable noise

I wonder if I am even capable
To take these words so unshapeable
And in one stanza make inescapable
My definition of love. It's jape-able

Constant, deep, strong, safe, endless
Willing, bold, consuming, crazy, honest
Surprising, imperfect, enveloping, voracious
Sanguine, unstoppable, vibrant, tenacious
Indefinable

Rhyme inspired by thinking too much
And Nat "King" Cole "L-O-V-E"

Their Prowess is Potent and Secretly Stern

The movies all say that someday you'll know
When your love is true and perfectly sure
But it's hard to believe that's the way it'll go
There seems to be no sickness to match the cure

This and more I thought as I sat on my bed
Abundantly pouring my heart and soul
Inadequate words are what filled my head
When I overwhelmingly saw the picture, whole

Panicked and scared I took deep breaths
I told myself sternly, "It's now or never"
Willing to die a thousand shameless deaths
Confidently waiting. Maybe forever

Reading this poem is a small sort of sadness
Realizing again I am lacking in words
To fully express my heart's certain gladness
And the flight of my hope as a million birds

In words much like those of Dr. Sues
I'm here to stay and I'll stay right here
From the front of the engine to the rear caboose
It's clear and sincere that I want you near

Rhyme inspired by long walks in the rain late at night
And Cake "The Distance"

Sometimes Silence Can Seem So Loud

I've never felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff
Looking down at the rocks and river below
Toes creeping just over the dirt beneath my feet
Up my fingertips to my legs the chills flow

I've never felt like I was flying way high above
All the people and trees and cares
The wind making my eyes water and tear
Convinced to all end that nothing else compares

I've never felt like I was going to burst with joy
My cheeks hurting from an overused smile
Shivering with excited uncontrollable explosions
Feeling like it would all be worthwhile

I've never felt that
Have you?
Oh. You have?
...Maybe I have too

Rhyme inspired by a breath of air
And the ever so loved "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly

These Things Take Forever. I Especially Am Slow

Just tell me you will

It's 2:58 and I can't sleep

In the safe zone I spill

All my feelings I can no longer keep
Droppin it like it's a skill
I know it's all kind of steep
Just tell me you will
It's 3:03 and I weep
This empty space you fill
Won't you take this leap?
I'm running, but i'm still
No promises I can keep
My stomach feels kinda ill
I'm a little more than knee-deep
It's 3:10. Just tell me you will

Bright Eyes "First Day of My Life"

The Best of Me is Still Hiding Up My Sleeve

I didn't understand when they said
"When we leave here the 'real world' is lurking"
I argued 'til in the face I was red
And laughed as I just kept on working

"The 'real world" I thought "is the stupidest thing"
"To ever invent or desire"
Little did I know in a cage it was pawing
To envelop me like the flames of a fire

I understand now what they meant when they insisted
When we left there the 'real world' was present
It's not so much that the 'real world' existed
They just meant they'd be altered and different

Rhyme inspired by talks about 'the real world'
And John Mayer "No Such Thing"

Like Giving Food To The Hungry

Do you ever wonder how
People smile through the tears?
When it's plain to see that now
They're caught up in their fears

We look right past. Voluntarily
And try not to get involved
"Not now" "I'm busy, you see"
"I've got my own to solve"

But maybe we should help 'em out
We could try it once or twice
See what "service" is all about
Just smile and be nice?

Pretty soon it starts to catch
You talk to all you view
Contemplating, your head you scratch
"Is this why I feel brand new?"

You can't stop, before you know it
It happens all the time
But it's ok, your love's legit
Sometimes you even write rhymes

Rhyme inspired by church today
And "Better People" by Xavier Rudd
(introduced to me by Natalie Bliss)

Frustrated

I don't feel like rhyming
Cuz i'm only creative when I'm content
I get all off on timing
And my words are crooked and bent
So if you're reading this tonight
My apologies
It's bland and dumb and meaningless
Maybe tomorrow I'll unfreeze

Rhyme inspired by sarcasm, frustration, and a hint of lonliness
Also, the over-dramatic "The Voice Within" by Christina Aguilera

Resume

I taught the children their colors and shapes
I rang up produce, apples and grapes
I tutored spanish for kids in need
I corrected their tests in lightning speed
I assisted a teacher clerically
I figured out grades numerically
I made pizza and sandwiches
I trained weights for women of all ages
I counseled youth in the gospel
I worked at an animal hospital
I mixed the flour and the dough
I helped take food to kids in the ghetto
I counseled counselors, it was fun
When will my resume finally be done?

Rhyme inspired by the countless resumes and
applications I have filled out today
And Dolly Parton "9 to 5"

My List To Do Makes Me Kinda Blue

-get dressed
-clean up mess
-get employed
-don't get annoyed
-clean room
-plan costume
-make treat
-covet meat
-wash clothes
-shop Lowe's
-paint walls
-make phone calls
-family swapping
-grocery shopping
-make a rhyme
-don't waste time
-read

Rhyme inspired by everyday life
And Sparkadia "Too Much To Do"

There's Always Gonna Be Another Mountain

I went on a hike
With a friend that I like
And walked through the National Forest
We huffed and puffed
And saw lots of stuff
On the mountain of the National Forest
We found a rock
Where we could talk
Above the trees of the National Forest
And looked through the snow
At the valley below
That cold, wet National Forest
I rolled up my sleeves
And picked colored leaves
That grew in the National Forest
Now I am back
With a game plan attack
That I learned in the National Forest
Be happy and nice
Make a small sacrifice
Climb my Mountain and National Forest

Rhyme inspired by Miley Cyrus "The Climb"

Vagabond

I ran away from home one day
To see if I could jump and play
Far away from bills to pay
Just like it was a holiday

In the building on display
Were others who had gone away
All lined up in great array
People walking by would say

"How I wish I wouldn't stay
Here where it's so dark and grey
Please, Oh please! I beg. I pray!
Let's get out! Let's plan a way!"

I think, "Yes! You can! You may!"
See if you can jump and play
Or in grassy fields you lay
Far away from stress and pain

I packed my bags. It's all okay
I took no thought. Took no delay
I ran away from home one day
Just like it was a holiday

Rhyme inspired by Logan, UT
and Black Eyed Peas "Let's Get It Started"