BETTER DAYS

I have too many resolutions

To fit on just one page

Yeah,  I'm working on my attitude

You're in for better days

I'm so good at procrastination

That I've convinced myself

As long as it's within the year

Oh, man I'm doing well

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Well that won't work

Not any more

Is my promise any good

Is it worth waiting for

If it takes so long

to give to you 

The things I say you'll get

Is my promise any good

When you know what to expect

~~*~~

I haven't made a resolution

For far too many years

I was convinced that I would break it

So why confirm my fears

I want to be a better person

Leave behind who I was

Do what I should do, and prove to you

I'm changing out of love

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Yes, I Love You...

And I'll do what you need

when I say I'll do it

Not when it feels right for me

Goodbye old ways

Hello better days

~~*~~

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

The past won't work

Not any more

Was my promise any good

Was it worth waiting for

when it took so long

to give to you 

The things I said you'd get

No it wasn't any good

But you knew what to expect

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Here's a resolution

One that I won't sway

No procrastination

Oh...

Better days

Yeah, better days

Oh, better days

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013

PRICELESS

Her many pictures grace my walls

From my front door clear down the hall

There are flowers and hand prints everywhere

To a visitor it may seem a mess

To me a sign I am deeply blessed

Can't count the times that I have stopped to stare

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I would turn down a Picasso

For her crooked pumpkin patch

Renoir's "By the Seashore"

To her rainbows, is no match

In the eyes of strangers

Hers do nothing for the heart

But to me...

Every piece...

Is a priceless work of art

~~*~~

With her playdoh she finds pleasure

Sculpting her fancy treasures

From her imagination all day long

I talk to her through all of it 

Just hoping she will drop a hint

My biggest fear is that I'll guess them wrong

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

 She's no Michelangelo

What some are, I still don't know

But I do know that she gives them 

From the heart

These priceless works of art

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I would turn down a Picasso

For her crooked pumpkin patch

Renoir's "By the Seashore"

To her rainbows, is no match

In the eyes of strangers

Hers do nothing for the heart

But to me...

Every piece...

Is a priceless work of art

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013
~~*Emily Lynn*~~

THE SEARCH

A touch of sun

Makes for a pretty day

But it's not enough

To keep the chill away

~~~

Will I ever know warmth again...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Will I ever know warmth again

The kind that makes you shine

Keeps laughter on the surface

Nights replaying in your mind

The search won't end until I find

Warmth that lasts a lifetime

~~*~~

You made me know

The heat I'm looking for

It was just a taste

Now I desire more

~~~

I need to feel that warmth again...

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Yeah, I was hurt , but did not freeze

No I'm not too cold down deep

A little surface ice to thaw

A touch cool and slightly flawed

But I will know that fire again

Until I do, I won't give in

I need to find

Warmth that lasts a lifetime

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Will I ever know warmth again

The kind that makes you shine

Keeps laughter on the surface

Nights replaying in your mind

The search won't end until I find

Warmth that lasts a lifetime

~~*~~

Search..

Search until you find

Love to last a lifetime

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013

ALWAYS SMILE FOR CHRISTMAS

Sitting watching old home movies

Stringing popcorn for the tree

I almost let it,  pass on by

But knew you'd be upset with me

You always smiled

Always smiled for Christmas

I wrapped up a couple presents

Things you always bought for me

New pajamas and fluffy socks

You said would hide my ugly feet

You made me laugh

I laughed every Christmas

*

~*~

~~*~~

~~~*~~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I could go on and on...

Listing your qualities

It's sad here, with you gone

But I can't let it get to me

Because you always smiled

Always smiled for Christmas

~~*~~

~~*~~

I baked all your favorite cookies

Just to circulate the smell

I knew that you, used to sneak a few

That you told the kids not to tell

You always teased

Teased us all at Christmas

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

I have forced myself to face the fact

That tears won't help

And they won't bring you back

I just have to make the best of it

For you...

I promise to...

Smile 

I will smile for Christmas

~~*~~

*

~*~

~~*~~

~~~*~~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I could go on and on...

Listing your qualities

It's sad here, with you gone

But I can't let it get to me

Because you always smiled

Always smiled for Christmas

~~*~~

~~*~~

For you I'll smile...

I will smile for Christmas

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013
Lesia, Anna, Rhonda
Bassit

BEAUTIFUL BREEZE

You're like a beautiful breeze of magic

That drifted in to enchant my life

I don't know how to thank you

And I know better than to ask God why

At a time when I felt  beaten

So tired I could barely move

On the wind

A precious gift from Him

The beautiful breeze of you...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

You lift it all away

The hopelessness, dull pain

A fresh, sweet breath of new

Forever humbled

Always grateful

For the beautiful breeze of you

~~*~~

You removed the shades I thought I needed

The ones I used to block people out

Helped me see

What was lost to me

That I felt nothing while the blinds were down

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

There can't be joy if you don't care for someone

There can't be laughter if you lock it out

Your surroundings become cold and lonely

It takes a breeze to blow the stagnant out

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

You lift it all away

The hopelessness, dull pain

A fresh, sweet breath of new

Forever humbled

Always grateful

For the beautiful breeze of you

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS

There is no way

That I can capture

The pure beauty

Before my eyes

I can't describe

The brilliant wonder

The Lord Painted

Into His skies

~~~*Chorus*~~~

But if you were here...

We could share this view

I'd love to be in awe

Sweet reverence with you

Before it disappears...

I wish that you were here

~~*~~

There's not a chance

That I can stop time

Keep him a child

While you're away

Oh the pictures

Don't do him justice

He so like you

More every day

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

But if you were here

We could share his youth

I'd love to be in awe

Sweet reverence with you

Before it disappears

I wish that you were here

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

You won't hear me cry

You won't see my tears

But as time disappears

I'm wishing you were here

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright©  2013

MAMA'S BOY

He grew up without a Father

Had himself a gentle side

Deep pride in his dear Mama

That he never tried to hide

He was a quiet giant

Just sat back for the view

Unless he spied a bully

Then a stone- cold side broke through

~~~*Chorus*~~~

He didn't take it

Not for a minute, did he wait

Pinned the culprit against a wall

And got right in their face

He didn't need a father

To teach him how to fight

You might call him a Mama’s boy

But he sure knows wrong from right

Don't you annoy

This Mama’s boy

~~*~~

Yeah…

She always stood behind him

Made them take a closer look

By the time she left that office

She had her boy looking good

Her pride and joy

That Mama’s boy

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

If you think it would be hard for you

To call up Cher at home

Drop in on the President

And talk to him alone

Go back in time, figure Plato’s mind

Or design the fall of Troy

Believe me, it is easier

Than messing with a Mama’s boy

~~*~~

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

Cause he won’t take it

Not for a minute, will he wait

He pins the bad against a wall

And gets right in their face

He didn't need a father

To teach him how to fight

You might call him a Mama’s boy

But he sure knows wrong from right

Don't you annoy

This Mama’s boy

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013

RENEW THIS HEART

Hasn't everybody suffered 

Through these times we’re living in

Felt the murders and injustice

Slice too deep

Hasn't every soul grown cold

To the news still left untold

How much longer can this

World weep

Jesus

Oh sweet Jesus

Come for me…

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Come for me

Or renew this heart

I'd welcome either one

Before I lose the faith to make it

To the gates when it’s all done

I feel a little less

Of the hope within my chest

Each time I kneel on my knees

Jesus

Oh Sweet Jesus

Come for me

~~*~~

Hasn't everybody wondered

Why the evil's grown so strong

When we've tried to fight against it

Righteously

It once took away my breath

Fear of what would happen next

Now I’m building up

Immunities

Jesus

Oh sweet Jesus

Come for me

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Come for me before I fail you

Before it is too late

Before I am indifferent

And you must turn me away

Come for me before I lose it

And start making evil pay

Come for me sweet Jesus

Or renew this heart today

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Come for me

Or renew this heart

I'd welcome either one

Before I lose the faith to make it

To the gates when it’s all done

I feel a little less

Of the hope within my chest

Each time I kneel on my knees

Jesus

Oh Sweet Jesus

Come for me

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013

THE ONLY THING THAT I'M MISSING IS YOU

There is a wreath, on our front door

And garland climbing up the stairs

There's a tree, with an angel, on the top

And presents piled everywhere

There are sleds outside, cocoa on the stove

It's been snowing for a day or two

The only thing

That I'm missing

Is you

~~~*Chorus*~~~

No you can't be here for Christmas

I don't know when you'll be home

But Christmas is too beautiful 

To spend it all alone

I'm gathered with our family

The house is full of guests

I will serve the dinner

While you serve us all... 

On Christmas

~~*~~

Oh silent night, and jingle bells

Are drifting softly through the rooms

The only thing 

That I'm missing

Is You

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Your Dad wants to be in charge of games

Mine wants to play charades

Your Mother wants to make the rolls

Mine claims there is a better way

Your Sister brought her new baby

Mine brought her whole danged brood

The only thing 

That I'm missing 

Is you

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

No you can't be here for Christmas

I don't know when you'll be home

But Christmas is too beautiful 

To spend it all alone

I'm gathered with our family

The house is full of guests

I will serve the dinner

While you serve us all... 

On Christmas

~~*~~

The only thing

That I'm missing

Is You

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright©  2013

ELVIS

It wasn't just the pretty face

That made our hearts go wild

It wasn't just pure honesty

Or shyness like a child's

It wasn't just a voice that made

The whole world listen up

It was the combination

That's what made us fall in love

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Obsession

Fascination

Infatuation 

Crush

No matter how you phrase it

It all comes down to love

Determining the level

Depends on how hard you fall

We fell like bricks from heaven

Because he had it all

~~*~~

It wasn't just his angel smile

Or the way that he could move

The spiritual side of him

Or devotion that he proved

It wasn't separate qualities

That suffused us all with awe

We all fell in love with him

Because he had it all

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Holding memories to the heart

That no one can tear apart

When you love someone

So deeply, for so long

They're never truly gone

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Obsession

Fascination

Infatuation

Crush

No matter how you phrase it

It all comes down to love

Determining the level

Depends on how hard you fall

We fell like bricks from heaven

Because he had it all

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright©  2013
For all of us...
Still missing Elvis

WATCHING SMOKESTACKS

Oh he sits
Like a puppet with no master
Watching the smoke
Lift into the sky
All he feels
Is a deep-down sense of hollow
Waiting to break
Agony inside

Losing her
Was too much for him to manage
Distorts a mind
Nothing matters now
So he sits
And lets smoke create her image
She drifts away
All day in it's clouds

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Why's he staring at the smokestacks

What do you think he sees
Mama, what's he looking for
Should we check if he still breathes
Do you think that he has family
Does he expect someone...
~~
I don't know child
Maybe he waits on love
~~*~~

People talk...
He became a conversation
And they all watched
His young life decay
No one tried
To approach, and ask the stranger...
~~
Do you need help
Will you be okay

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
On a bench, across the river
From the lumber mill he died
In his arms, a news paper
With a tragedy inside
She had lost her battle
He gave up without a fight
On a bench, across the river
From the lumber mill, he died
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Why's he staring at the smokestacks
What do you think he sees
Mama what's he looking for
Should we check if he still breathes
Do you think that he has family
Does he expect someone...
~~
I don't know child
Maybe he waits on love
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013

SHE WAS A DANCER

She was a dancer

A delicate and graceful girl

Commanding an audience

Wrought from around the world

A prima ballerina

Fabled for solitude

Her beloved was the music

She gave her body to

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Standing like a stone

Unmoving in the quiet

Keeping whispers at bay

Like a gentle breeze

She began to feel the touch

When the music found its way

She let it in

The melody was the magic

Her body hungered for

She released herself

Every tear and every joy she’d ever felt

And was transformed

~~*~~

She was a dancer

~~*~~

The crowd was overcome

Like a spirit she was perfect

And even bitter hearts were won

She was a dancer

~~~*~~~

A prima ballerina

Fabled for solitude

Her beloved was the music

She gave her body to

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Standing like a stone

Unmoving in the quiet

Keeping whispers at bay

Like a gentle breeze

She began to feel the touch

When the music found its way

She let it in

The melody was the magic

Her body hungered for

She released herself

Every tear and every joy she’d ever felt

And was transformed

~~*~~

She was a dancer

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013

CHANGING STORIES

I need the facts here
Tell me the gospel truth
Retrieve sweet honesty
The innocence of youth

Trust you were born with
Find and set it free
Don’t hide anything
Give me reality

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Changing stories

Makes the truth hard to find

Tarnished falsehoods

Lowdown dirty lies

Can’t remember

All confused and blurry

I tried to tell you

Stop changing stories

~~*~~

Don’t create a maze

Of fables you’ll exhaust

You’ll surely lose your way

When certainty is lost

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

You just can’t tear the truth up

Time and time again

I don’t care if it is ugly

It's a disaster when it's bent

So choke it out, give it up

You’re under the gun

Stop changing the story

And tell the truth for once

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Changing stories

Makes the truth hard to find

Tarnished falsehoods

Lowdown dirty lies

Can’t remember

All confused and blurry

I tried to tell you

Stop changing stories

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright © 2013  

WE CAN DO IT

You don’t want me to speak up

Though it’s my human right

Just sit here and take it

Crumble without a fight

It’s not in my moral fiber

To play that I’m a fool

Silence is a sickness

When there’s something I can do

~~~*Chorus*~~~

And I can do it

I can be the eyes

Watching for the heavy hands

Who want to suppress lives

I can do it

I can be the voice

Challenging oppressors

Who aren't giving me a choice

I’m smart enough to comprehend 

Strong enough to wield the whip

And I’m morally sound

So I can do it

~~*~~

You ignore the constitution

We don't uphold it just for fun

We’re not a third world country

You can smash under your thumbs

We’re living and we’re breathing

We’re the reason you exist

So don’t play us against you

And expose your ignorance

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Everyone will not agree

It’s never been that way, and it will never be

But don’t go changing rules to please the few

It’s a foolish thing to do

You fight against democracy

Throw yourselves into the pit

Righteous men will rise against you

And they can do it

~~*~~

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

They can do it

They can be thee eyes

Watching for the heavy hands

Who want to suppress lives

They can do it

They can be the voice

Challenging oppressors

Who aren't giving them a choice

They’re smart enough to comprehend

Strong enough to wield the whip

And they’re morally sound

So they can do it

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

DON'T PLAY THE STRANGER

Play the stranger 

Just keep avoiding me

Friends are noble

They ride each other's wings

You have hurt me

Too deeply to forget

I don't need you

But the heart that's in my chest

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Is calling to the memories

Of a time when we were close

Friends legends are made of

When we needed one the most

You know that I am bluffing

It's my feelings that pretend

I promise that I'll always

I will always be your friend

~~*~~

Not a stranger...

I know why you lash out

Why you're quiet

What stirs up your self-doubt

Yes, you hurt me

But with time I can forget

I'll be waiting

Girl, you haven't lost me yet

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

A friend's supposed to help you

So you don't feel pain alone

Making the same wishes

Trying to fool that old wishbone

And when your buddy hurts you

It's forgiveness you extend

True friendship is a virtue

And I'll always be your friend

~~*~~

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

So I'm recalling memories

Of a time when we were close

Friends legends are made of

When we needed one the most

You know that I was bluffing

 It's my feelings that pretend
I promise that I'll always
I will always be your friend
~~*~~
Don't play the stranger
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

I AM NOWHERE

If you stood in the middle of an empty field

Closed your eyes and spun around

Walked blind for as far as you could go

Your answer would be found

If you kept them shut, and someone asked

Boy, where are you now

You couldn't tell, what you don’t know

Baby that is how

~~~*Chorus*~~~

That is how I feel

I am nowhere

Empty, aimless, lost

And it’s not fair

I am nowhere

~~*~~

If you ask me again if I’m doing okay

Even if you truly care

Just close your eyes, and block out the world

And you will find me there

In nowhere…

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Abandoned and depleted

No passion left to thrive

Barren and deserted

No thirst to stay alive

Unseeing and unfeeling

A useless waste of air

Oh, baby this is me…

I’m nowhere

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

That is how I feel

I am nowhere

Empty, aimless, lost

And it’s not fair

I am nowhere

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Don’t call again

Try to be my friend

Its all gone

What, once, was there

Leave me alone

To find my way home

From nowhere

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2013

FROM THE ASHES

I cannot believe it 
I never would have thought 
That I'd become the victim 
Of a heartless holocaust
Every pleasure known to me
Annihilated, gone
Altered in the aftermath
While your life's playing on

~~~*Chorus*~~~
From the ashes
The hopeless and torn
From the impact
Desperation's born
A hint of evil
Rose up and made it through
You're in danger
It's pursuing you 
From the ashes...
~~*~~

Constantly it watches
As pain shifts into wrath
While you believe it's buried
Concealed in your past
Set on its vendetta
Patiently takes its time
Waiting to consume you
For your inhuman crimes

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
From unbound love, pure hate evolved
You've got to play to be absolved
Beg me to forgive your callous soul...
Then maybe I can let this vengeance go
Settle with old ashes and turn cold
Refuse me, ignore me, and it grows
From the ashes
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
From the ashes
The hopeless and torn
From the impact
Desperation's born
A hint of evil
Rose up and made it through
You're in danger
It's pursuing you
From the ashes
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright© 2013