Navy Green

You were a sky

like the Fourth of July

When we first met

I spoke for the first time 

And you heard me 

When I cried the first time, 

you kissed me 

When I left for the first time, 

you missed me 

I was a shield 

tightly guarded 

in self preservation 

But you, 

You were an open door 

You wanted to throw

your arms around the world 

You cried about the things 

That I didn't even notice  

And you wrote about the things 

I couldn't even see

you saw colors like navy green

But life happened 

It came in like a wrecking ball

And broke every window 

in your hotel heart 

I've watched you fall apart 

It's slow and it's pretty 

It's not very noticeable, 

unless you look closely 

The cracks in your heart 

Are the fault lines the threaten 

The very earth might give way 

So I pray for the day

That you cry and you say 

I can't live this way

October Wind

What is the color 

of wind in October 

what would you call

The sound

of a baby's laugh?

it has the strength 

of all the fountains

in Kansas City 

but it's gentle 

like October wind 

What would you say

to make him turn this way 

what name do you call 

the one 

who made babies laugh 

I'm dying of thirst 

I'll drink anything first 

all the fountains 

in Kansas City 

but he's gentle 

like October wind 

"If you knew who I was

You would ask for a drink 

and I would give you living water."

Growing Up

Newly born 

I felt like an infant among adults 

Small and weak, in a tall, strong crowd 

The world was brand new 

And I cried so hard

Pain and joy, mingled into one 

Thank you for your patience, 

As I learn to walk

I fall, and fall again, and you help me up 

You call me forward, hands outstretched 

I don't feel ashamed 

Because you're my mother,

and I'm learning to walk 

Thank you for your eyes  

As I learn to run

I trip, and fall hard, and you help me up 

You look me in the eyes, and call my name 

I don't feel ashamed 

Because you're my father 

and I'm learning to walk 

Newly born 

I am a child among children 

Faithful and trusting, in a tall, noisy crowd

This world, our temporary home 

And I cry so hard

Joy and pain, mingled into one