Thursday, November 29, 2012

A TURN OF THE TIDES

My favorite station
Is 94.9
I'm blasting out the country
All the time

Some kid pulled up next to me
Car shaking from his Rap
I was born in the sixties
I can't get used to that

~~~*Chorus*~~~
But I'm burning for a turn of the tides
Something shook loose
Couldn't be confined
Now I'm burning for a turn of the tides
A Native sensation
Veiled by the times
A sovereign awareness
Impressed upon my mind
Yeah I'm burning for a turn of the tides
~~*~~

Got me some "Led Zeppelin"
Rocking in my car
Loving that "Jimmy Page"
Commanding his guitar

Made me think of "Gilmour"
Another English Boy
Found myself lost with him 
In the magic of "Pink Floyd"

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~
Yeah...
I was burning for a turn of the tides
Something shook loose
Couldn't be confined
I was burning for a turn of the tides
A native sensation 
Veiled by the times
A sovereign awareness
Impressed upon my mind
Yeah I was burning for a turn of the tides
~~*~~

Washed and waxed my car
Was shining up the chrome
Feeling satisfaction
For "The Rolling Stones"

Then I cranked "The Beatles"
Some "Marley" and "The Who"
My friends started asking...
Man what's got into you.....

I Said...

~~~*3rd Chorus*~~~
I was burning for a turn of the tides
Something shook loose
Couldn't be confined
I was burning for a turn of the tides
A native sensation
Veiled by the times
A sovereign awareness
Impressed upon my mind
Yeah I was burning for a turn of the tides
~~*~~

I'm feeling quite euphoric
Raising "The Grateful Dead"
Got "The Best of CCR"
That I'm inhaling next

"BTO" and "Boston"
"The Cars" and "Three Dog Night"
"The Doors" and "The Eagles"
"Rush"~"Earth Wind and Fire"

There are so many more
Playing in my mind
Yeah... 
It was time for a turn of the tides
~~~*Chorus*~~~



Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

SHAME ON YOU

Did you forget to grab your heart
When you left the house today
It lies beside your sympathy
What hatred you've displayed

Do you think you're something special
You're the only one that counts
Why did you roll your eyes again
You don't know what they're about

You pretend that they don't exist
If you look the other way
Instead of trying to understand
Lady all I have to say.................is

~~~*Chorus*~~~
It's a personal attack
Words that you can't take back
You don't think they understand
Well that's not true
Shame on you
These kids need a gentle touch
Compassion that's infused with love
You come in here with venom
And you turn it loose
Shame on you
~~*~~

That little boy sitting on the bench
With the dreamy distant stare
The quiet girl fighting hard to live
Gave cancer her pretty hair

That sweet girl, with green eyes and curls
She was born without a smile
Well those of us, with empathy
Adore every precious child

You walk in here, with your disdain
Shudder while you speak out loud
Say you're not waiting, in here, with them
So you'll see the doctor now................Well,

~~~*Chorus*~~~
It's a personal attack
Words that you can't take back
You don't think they understand
Well that's not true
Shame on you
These kids need a gentle touch
Compassion that's infused with love
You come in here with venom
And you turn it loose
Shame on you
~~*~~

If you really want to know what's sad
There's pureness shining through
You're the serpent in the nest
But your victims pity you

Now take your heartless self on home
And forget what they've been through
I've labeled you as ruthless
They don't
Shame on you
Oh.........
Oh.........
Shame on you!

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  
For Kayla C. and Emily C.
with so much Love and Admiration for your strength!


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

OUT OF LUCK

He was walking with a can down 395
I stopped and asked if he'd like a ride
He said thank you miss, it's tough anymore
To get a lift, and my feet are sore

I said I carry a gun, and I'll shoot you dead
Just behave yourself, and I'll be your friend
A ghostly pallor crept across his skin
Hey I was just being straight with him

We got to the station, gave him ten bucks
Said he left his wallet back in his truck
Four days later on my way home
There he was again, on a different road

I said hey good looking you just got caught
Or you sure run out of gas a lot
He flashed that smile, that's been on my mind
Is this a shooting mood, or do I get a ride

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Some folks just run out of luck
They're the kind that aren't expecting much
The only thing I ask, is you tell the truth
I'll jump right in, do what I can do
Mind your manners, or you will get shot
It might not be a lot, but I share what I got
Try* not *to *screw *it *up
Or you're out of luck
~~*~~

He said I'm sorry that I lied to you
But I lost my job and that's the truth
On top of that... my ex kicked me out
She just tossed my things out of the house

My truck's right there, by those trees
Been using the money for a bite to eat
I honestly thought my luck ran dry
Until you showed up and gave me a ride

Well, we filled his truck up with gas
And he followed me home right after that
He took a shower...Yeah I took a chance
Kept Smith and Wesson in my right hand

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Some folks just run out of luck
They're the kind that aren't expecting much
The only thing I ask, is you tell the truth
I'll jump right in, do what I can do
Mind your manners, or you will get shot
It might not be a lot, but I share what I got
Try* not *to *screw *it *up
Or you're out of luck
~~*~~

Came out of the bath without his shirt
Downright sexy minus all that dirt
I held my breath, and put the gun away
Said I'll fix you dinner, if you want to stay

We got married, he went back to school
Now he's doing what he was meant to do
Yeah, he's a pilot for Atlantic Skies
And I'm the hitcher that he gives free rides

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Some folks just run out of luck
They're the kind that aren't expecting much
The only thing we ask, is you tell the truth
We'll jump right in, do what we can do
Mind your manners, or you will get shot
Oh yeah, we have a lot, we share what we got
Try * not * to * screw * it * up
Or you're out of luck!
~~*~~
Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  




Monday, November 26, 2012

WHERE ARE YOU

I was working in the garden Sunday
Couldn't help but recall the way
Your gentle blue eyes sent love to mine
Without touching... they caressed my face

I was playing with the soil gently
Felt an overwhelming need to weep
Clenching the dirt... I released a sob
And dug my hands in deep

I could feel my fingers hit the roots
The little rocks cut into my skin
I know that I have to deal with this
But I'm hopeless where to begin

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Where are you darling
Do you have memories
Will I ever reach you
Make you remember me
Are your cries of anguish
Late into the night
For the life you've given
Or terror of the fight
You left here my man...
With everything intact
That's what they took Love
But not what they gave back
~~*~~

I'm used to bathing you like a baby
Combing and playing with your hair
You once laughed and pulled me up against you
And now you are not even there

When we fixed this house up together
The garden was our final task
Said you couldn't wait to see the flowers
The seeds produced when you came back

You look as handsome as you always did
There's no evidence of any scars
You returned from service long ago
But I still don't know where you are


~~~*Chorus*~~~

Where are you darling
Do you have memories
Will I ever reach you
Make you remember me
Are your cries of anguish
Late into the night
For the life you've given
Or terror of the fight
You left here my man...
With everything intact
That's what they took Love
But not what they gave back
~~*~~



I'm trying so hard to be thankful

That you're physically home with me
That I still get to be your woman
Even if it's only in my dreams...


~~~*Chorus*~~~
Where are you darling
Do you have memories
Will I ever reach you
Make you remember me
Are your cries of anguish
Late into the night
For the life you've given
Or terror of the fight
You left here my man...
With everything intact
That's what they took Love
But not what they gave back
~~*~~








Friday, November 23, 2012

BLAME THE BAYOU

He was a nurse at Redbrook Manor
An asylum near Graves ravine
A powerless victim, of a patient
Sadie Marc...
Of New Orleans

There was a rule that he'd discarded
Never to become attached
Sadie deemed him her protector
Her safeguard from ...
A sordid past

He'd never witnessed such a vision
So exquisite and refined
Overlooked the grievous fact that
The damage loomed...
Down deep inside

~~~*1st Chorus*~~~
(soulful cries)..
Oh, oh oh......
In the darkness
The bayou came to life
With unearthly whispers
Hunting through the night
Calling to their tainted
Creatures void of shame
Compelling the tinder to flame
A righteous soul to claim
The bayou is to blame
Mmm mmm mmm 
Blame the Bayou
~~*~~

She preyed upon his weakness
Colleagues brought up their concerns
He lied...ending the rumors
Within it's walls...
The manor burned

She used her body as the quicksand
To ensnare him towards her aim
He was bewitched, completely helpless
A hunted fool...
Of thee insane

She begged him to release her
Promising his deepest needs
So he freed her from the manor
Scalding passion...
Was his greed

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~
(soulful cries)..
Oh, oh oh...
In the darkness
The bayou came to life
With unearthly whispers
Hunting through the night
Calling to their tainted
Creatures void of shame
Compelling the tinder to flame
An immoral soul to claim
The bayou is to blame
Mmm mmm mmm 
Blame the Bayou
~~*~~

Her laughter rang out cruelly
On the waters murky edge
While professing his devotion
Loves pure...
Undying pledge

He broke under her malice
And the bayou claimed his mind
In a wing at Redbrook Manor's
where he will...
Serve out his time

~~~*Final Chorus*~~~
(soulful cries)..
Oh, oh oh....
In the darkness
The bayou came to life
With unearthly whispers
Hunting through the night
Calling to their tainted
Creatures void of shame
Compelling the tinder to flame
Another soul's been claimed
The bayou is to blame
Mmm mmm mmm 
Blame the Bayou
~~*~~



Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  








Wednesday, November 21, 2012

AKA...TIME OFF!

I didn't do my hair or put on a dress
Showed up for dinner looking like a mess
Mom opened her door, asked...what is this
I said nothing that a little time off won't fix


I don't remember what sleeping is

And no one wanted to watch the kids
They called them monsters and spoiled brats
Who wants to deal with the likes of that


Oh, I called their Dad, and he came this time

Brought reinforcement in his child bride
Yeah, she had the nerve to look like a doll
You're lucky that I showed up at all

~~~*1st Chorus*~~~
My kids are a blessing
But no downhill coast
I'm a cook and a maid
A chauffeur and coach
A teacher and a doctor
Full time referee
A guidance counselor
Do it all for free
It's rough at the bottom
With so much on top
Lord I need a break
AKA
TIME OFF!
~~*~~

Now you know why my hair's not fixed
Your blind date dinner wasn't on my list
He might as well meet me... just like I am
If it's not good enough...then he's not my man
Don't blame the situation on my kids
It wasn't anything, that they ever did
You think their Dad got tired of being last
Well his new model...won't wear out so fast
Hey, he's the reason it gets this bad
I shouldn't have to be the Mom and Dad
The only help, from him, I've ever asked
Is to be a man, and pick up the slack 

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~
My kids are a blessing
But no downhill coast
I'm a cook and a maid
A chauffeur and coach
A teacher and a doctor
Full time referee
A guidance counselor
Do it all for free
It's rough at the bottom
With so much on top
Wanna give me a break
AKA
TIME OFF!
~~*~~

I really have to hand it to my Mom
He's a pediatrician, and a chef for fun
I called the ex, and told him life is sweet
And that I'd be home in about two weeks

~~~*3rd Chorus*~~~
Your kids are a blessing
But no downhill coast
You're a cook and a maid
A chauffeur and coach
A teacher and a doctor
Full time referee
A guidance counselor
Baby now you're me
It's rough at the bottom
With so much on top
I'm taking a break
AKA
TIME OFF!
~~*~~
Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

THANK YOU

Hey, I want to thank you for the presents
I really liked the way you signed your cards
I loved you too
No, I never once noticed the hammer
That you used to bust my world apart

Thank you for the poems you wrote about me
How no one's ever made you feel like that
I believed you
Tell me, what did my successor give you baby
That special something you forgot to add
Doesn't matter...

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Cause I want to thank you
Thank you from this mixed up, messed with heart
I want to thank you
For making my life perfect, just by tearing it apart
You must break the surface, to reach what's at the core
You were temporary
I found the one worth living for
I hold the treasure, for all you put me through
So...
I want to thank you
~~*~~

Did I forget to thank you for lying
You weren't the first, or the last one to try
Ridiculous
I gave you my trust from the beginning
And that's not the only thing I sacrificed
But thank you for being such a loser
Even cheaters are a slice of the whole
And without you
I'd never have completed the circle
This unbreakable union of two souls

~~~*Chorus*~~~
So... I want to thank you
Thank you from this mixed up, messed with heart
I want to thank you
For making my life perfect, just by tearing it apart
You must break the surface, to reach what's at the core
You were temporary
I found the one worth living for
I hold the treasure, for all you put me through
So...
I want to thank you
~~*~~
Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  
Written by request for
Jenn Morris Music

Friday, November 16, 2012

NOT FORSAKEN

Running blindly through the trees
Roots reaching for his feet
He stumbles for the final time

Pursuit will cease right here
Relieved the end is near
Oh Judges...Hear his cries...

~~~*Chorus*~~~
The forest walls echo with his screams
Am I not your Son
Why have you forsaken me
You've told everyone it's evil
Immoral and a shame
So why...
Why...
Why'd you make me this way
~~*~~

Oh...He was born this way
It's not a choice he made
Would he torment his own mind...

No way to contemplate
This twisted brand of fate
It's not something that dilutes with time

If there was any way
Then he would fight to change
Plans escape through suicide

Wonders who will weep
Freak of society
Even God's not on his side

~~~*Chorus*~~~
The forest walls echo with his screams
Am I not your Son
Why have you forsaken me
You've told everyone it's evil
Immoral and a shame
So why...
Why...
Why'd you make me this way
~~*~~

They heard the strangled cries
Surrendering his life
Burst through the trees to intervene

Saw them through shame and tears
Why did they interfere
He despised himself so viciously

Oh judges...Can't you see...

Confessing in the woods
He'd always be no good
Didn't know where he'd end up

But nothing could be worse
Than living with this curse
Let me go I've had enough

They said don't take your life
Before you've even lived
There are souls who suffer this same fate

Some try to judge you now
They shun, and cast you out
Those believers all filled with hate

Just take it day by day
And you will find your way
It's not true that God's forsaken you

He made you just this way
Get past the fear and hate
Build your life with someone searching too

~~~*Final Chorus*~~~
The forest walls echo with relief
Yes I am your Son
You have not forsaken me
There's no evil in my love
I will not bear their shame
I will
Will
Find the faith to live again
~~*~~



For Brandon, Kenneth, 
Corey, Jack,Rafael, Eric, David, 
and so many young men 
who didn't have anyone intervene...  
So sorry for the hell you endured on earth...
My Prayers...

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  








Thursday, November 15, 2012

A REAL MAN

My guy didn't want me
To go see "Magic Mike"
I shook my head and told him
Don't be so uptight
The girls are on their way
So I'm not backing out
It's just a movie baby
Got a real man in the house

~~~*Chorus*~~~
I don't sugar-coat the truth
That's not a game I play
I won't ever lie to you
I say what I need to say
Don't act like you're confused
Burdened down with doubt
I've never strayed a single day
With a real man in the house
~~*~~

You can raise your eyebrows
When Michael Bolton sings
As I turn down the heater
A girl's got her fantasies
When I say ,"Oh Man"
At some guy walking down the street
You give me that look babe
I just appreciate fine things

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
You don't have to dance for me
Or take off any clothes
My body starts responding
To your voice over the phone
I've memorized every line
Time's etched upon your face
Perception this powerful
Just doesn't go away
Yeah, you do things to me
Nice girls don't talk about
All other guys are fiction
With a real man in the house

~~~*Chorus*~~~
I don't sugar-coat the truth
That's not a game I play
I won't ever lie to you
I say what I need to say
Don't act like you're confused
Burdened down with doubt
I've never strayed a single day
With a real man in the house
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

SWEET BREATH OF LIFE

She walked off
The stage exhausted
The surging crowd
So much alive
In her arms
Scarlet roses
Wilting with
Tears of her eyes

No one guessed
A soul was waning
To fill their needs
She sacrificed
Then left the stage
As torment followed
Weakening
The breath of life

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Every soul...is the breath of life
There's no guarantee...things will turn out right
You may have to wander...withdraw, or fight
Some souls are poisoned...while some are blind
Some are wicked...and some are blessed
Some close to perfect...Some a total mess
Some forever young...Some far too old
Oh, the breath of life...is a living soul
~~*~~

He was the force
That drove her body
To crave desire
To dream and wish
Without his presence
The lust departed
To continue
To exist

She was a spirit
Greedy drank from
Wanting more
As she reigned
In time her essence
Was so faded
They drifted off
For better gain

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
A soul can heal from the deepest wound
If the ache is wakened in the depths of you
Don't let pain cripple your gift of time
Be a living soul sweet breath of life
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Every soul...is the breath of life
There's no guarantee...things will turn out right
You may have to wander...withdraw, or fight
Some souls are poisoned...while some are blind
Some are wicked...and some are blessed
Some close to perfect...Some a total mess
Some forever young...Some far too old
Oh, the breath of life...is a living soul
~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~
Don't let pain cripple your gift of time
Be a living soul, sweet breath of life
~~*~~
Teresa Lynn Johnson
Copyright © 2012
Wrdspnr@aol.com
~~~Whitney~~~ 


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

THE HELL'S ANGELS

I was walking home through the trees, it was getting late
That wasn't much to worry about in 1978
When I came from the woods, I hit the old dirt road
That's where old man Lester lived, and he was always home
The moon was nature's candle on that particular night
I was loving the mountains, thinking everything's so right
When Lester burst from his cabin, he gave me quite a fright
Ran past me on the dirt road, screaming with all his might...

~~~*1st Chorus*~~~
The Hell's Angels is coming inta town!
Load yer guns, and lock yer daughters in the house!
Ya better teach yer sons what fightin's all about!
Do ya hear me ya'll?... I ain't messin around!
The Hell's Angels
Is coming inta town!
~~*~~

I walked into our home, told Mama what Lester said
She laughed, "Pay no attention, he's not right in the head
You don't know my cousin Rylie, but he rides with them
He'll stop by when they get here, and introduce us to the men."
I know my eyes turned to saucers, at my Mama's words
There was not a soul in our town, who didn't admire her
She was sweet and quiet, unless you messed with us
Then she'd cut you to the bone, and she didn't even cuss

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~
Now the Hell's Angels are coming into town
Daddy bought beer, and they're invited to the house
Both of my Brothers are jumping up and down
No problems here...just messing around
The Hell's Angels
Are coming into town
~~*~~

Yeah, you could hear them riding, no mistaking the sound
There's nothing like a bunch of Harleys shaking up the ground
There were nervous neighbors, lighting up the party lines
When Rylie, and about twelve buddies, pulled in our drive
They may have looked a little rough, but they were sure polite
The yes sir, No Mam, and Thank you kind of nice
The rest of them were waiting... uptown at the bar
Mama caught a ride with Rylie...Daddy followed in the car
The next thing I know , I heard Old Lester shout...

~~~*3rd Chorus*~~~
Lawd! The Hell's Angels is gittin outta town!
They done stole them kids' Mama right from the house!
Grab yer guns, and come on all you men!
Their Daddy's surely gonna die chasing after them!
Do Ya hear me Ya'll? ...I ain't messin around!
The Hell's Angels
Is gittin outta town
~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~
Took us half the night
To calm poor Lester down
We felt bad about the duct tape
The only way to shut his mouth
We set the neighbors straight
There was laughter all around
Oh, we still love to talk about
The Hell's Angels in our town
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012  



Monday, November 12, 2012

EVEN SOLDIERS NEED TO CRY

Dear Captain Johnson,
I hope my letter finds you well
So much has changed since you've been gone
I saw your Wife at the park today
She takes your Son there to play
You'd be so proud of her
For being strong
But without you...
It's hard

I know that your first year there
Was the roughest on her
Not knowing what you would
Have to face
We sure were glad when the baby came
The cute little guy who bears your name
I'm sure that was hard for you so far away
But you're missed Sir
Missed here everyday

~~~*Chorus*~~~
So tell me Captain Johnson
Just lay it on the line
Don't lie and tell me
Everything is fine
If there's anything that I can do
To help you bear the ugly truth
Here I am
My shoulder's open wide
Even Soldiers need to cry
~~*~~

You know,
I've listened to the worst stories imagined
Being a Pastor all these years
I know that Soldiers talk to each other
But if you need an outlet
I am here
 I heard your best friend died in June
I can't imagine what that did to you
His family called your Wife
And we all prayed
Oh we pray Sir
We pray everyday

~~~*Chorus*~~~
So tell me Captain Johnson
Just lay it on the line
Don't lie and tell me
Everything is fine
If there's anything that I can do
To help you bear the ugly truth
Here I am
My shoulder's open wide
Even Soldiers need to cry
~~*~~

Last Year, in October,
I thought you'd be coming home
Your Wife told me no
It's not that way
Of the thousands of men
On their way to U S soil
You were one of the Soldiers who stayed

She broke down telling me the news
Then cried because she's proud of you
Said she just wants to be back in your arms
That without you
Everything too hard

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
Don't know how long you'll have to stay
I know you're tough, and true, and brave
But I believe God wanted me to write...
I'm here Sir..
For you anytime..
Even Soldiers need to cry
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
So tell me Captain Johnson
Just lay it on the line
Don't lie and tell me
Everything is fine
If there's anything that I can do
To help you bear the ugly truth
Here I am
My shoulder's open wide
Even Soldiers need to cry
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn  Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2012