IT'S THE ONLY WAY

Don't you know I'm going loco

Crazy, bonkers, nuts, insane

You can't leave a normal person

With your family in this way

First you warn me all about them

Like to scare me half to death

Then you drive me to the boonies

Throw me out on their doorstep

Said that it will surely cure me

I won't ask for kids again

You had better come and get me

Learned my lesson here with them

Went straight to the doctor's office

And we begged to get him fixed

He said that's a big decision

Man, you're only twenty six

~~~*1st Chorus*~~~

I screamed it's disturbing

His family's DNA

You've got to end that bloodline

A descendant may escape

Something they ate

Maybe in the air

He's the only normal one I swear

Do a service for humanity

And make sure it is not set free

You've got to trust me when I say

It's the only way

~~*~~

The doctor said he wouldn't help us

Claimed my husband was too young

So we had to chloroform him

And drag him out to the trunk

Then we drove him to the boonies

Left him at my in-laws door

We hid in the trees and waited

Knowing what he had in store

No we didn't have to wait long

For that Harvard grad to crack

He came ripping from that cabin

Begging please don’t take me back

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

He screamed it’s disturbing

That family’s DNA

I've got to end that bloodline

A descendant may escape

Something they ate

Maybe in the air

He’s the only normal one I swear

It’s a service for humanity

To make sure it is not set free

Good Lord, I trust you when you say

It’s the only way

~~*~~

We drove to the doctor’s office

Took that long to calm him down

The minute that we got inside

He asked me to step back out

I must say that I was nervous

For everything that he’d just seen

But he didn't hurt my husband

And he fixed him up for free

Did it for humanity

~~~*Final Chorus*~~~

Because it’s disturbing

His family’s DNA

He had to end that bloodline

A descendant may escape

Something they ate

Maybe in the air

He’s the only normal one I swear

A true service for humanity

Made sure that it is not set free

You’ll learn to trust me when I say

It’s the only way

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

OVERRIDE

The sweet, cool breeze in the early morning

On what becomes a sultry day

The fresh, clean smell that baits a smile

When the farmers are cutting hay

The sound of water falling down to pool

Soft moss clinging to the rocks

The alluring scent of pine through the trees

And a sunset stirring awe

Oh, I've described

The very best of life

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Yeah, I've described

The best of life

From my point of view

And I’d give them up, every single one

If they meant I couldn't be with you

You override

All I've described

The best of life

~~*~~

The sheer brilliance of, the morning frost

When It first mingles with the light

The awareness of, your own self-worth

When there’s not another soul in sight

The flowers blooming, their vibrant colors

The aroma that they release

Rugged mountains beneath the Heavens

Little butterflies, to mighty beasts

Oh, I've described

The very best of life

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

You override

The best of life

Every wonder the Lord creates

They’ll always fall 

One step behind

The greatest thing he ever made

From my point of view

The best of life is you

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Yeah, I've described

The best of life

From my point of view

And I’d give them up, every single one

If they meant I couldn't be with you

You override

All I've described

The best of life

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

NOT ME

Some days sorrow 

Is my veneer

And I strain to strip it off

But I don’t have 

The strength I need

Buried deep beneath the loss

I disappear

War with the pain

Till I feel I've broken free

In the meantime

As I struggle

Who you see is just not me

~~~*Chorus*~~~ 

Not me…

I’m not anguish

Don’t do wretchedness

I am elation’s child

Exuding happiness

If a despondent being

Is what you see

Turn and walk away

It just isn't me 

Not me

~~*~~

Those who know me

Step back and wait

Realize I will overtake

I won’t give in

I will rise up

As the misery abates

I’m resilient

Teeming with faith

Knowing love is all I need

So when I’m down

If you’re around

Understand this isn't me

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Not me

Dancing with death's shadows

When all I want to do is shine

Not me

Lying down to wallow

I have kissed that pain goodbye

Genuine illumination

The force I desire to be

If there are tears on my face

Unrelated to life's grace

It's not me

Not me

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

 Not me…

I’m not anguish

Don’t do wretchedness

I am elation’s child

Exuding happiness

If a despondent being

Is what you see

Turn and walk away

It just isn't me 

Not me

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

SWEET GETAWAY

I called up my best friend
Girl I need to get away
My Uncle has a townhouse
And he said that we could stay

So what do you say girl
Are you ready for some fun
You don’t need nothing much
Grab some clothes, and bring your gun

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Oh girl I fueled up the truck

If you wanna gamble

Better bring the bucks

We’ll lay out by the pool all day

And when daylight’s done 

We are gonna play

Ooh sweet getaway

~~*~~

Hit Mesquite, Nevada
We were blasting “Hell on Heels” 
Oh yeah, those “pistol annies”
Give a bad girl such appeal

Shot trap in Purgatory   spoken... ( Yeah, Utah) 
Now we’re fired up to play
Better watch out Nevada
Cause we’re headed back your way

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Oh girl I fueled up the truck

If you wanna gamble

Better bring the bucks

We’ll lay out by the pool all day

When daylight’s done 

We are gonna play

Ooh sweet getaway

~~*~~

Woke up with hangovers
It just means a real good time
Yeah, now we’re feeling better
Could you toss me a “Bud Light”  

                       spoken...(Yeah, the ones with lime…mmmm)

            

~~~~~ musical bridge~~~~~

 My friend will be fifty
On her birthday in July
On the twenty eighth of May
I celebrated mine

Yeah, such a milestone
Doesn't happen every day
Here’s hoping all you girls
Pay attention when I say

~~~*~~~

Ooh, Sweet Getaway

Have fun and play

Ooh, sweet getaway

~~~*~~~

Donna & Tina 
Happy Birthday Girls
I Love You!
Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

SOMEONE OUT THERE

He was forced to join a gang at 12

Wished his Daddy had never left

Yeah, they liked his tough-guy attitude

The truth is, he was scared to death

But you must protect your family 

From all the shadows on the streets

Even if it means you will betray

The very truth you once believed

~~~*Chorus*~~~

It could mean his life

To try and break away

The burden’s are building

They crush him more each day

He won’t look you in the eyes

Afraid of what he knows you’ll find

A child’s heart that’s beating scared

Abandoning that someone cares

Someone out there

~~*~~

By 21 he’d killed five men

But justified it to himself

Wore tattooed-tears to remember them

Sure he’d saved somebody else

He despised the man he had become

But told himself that they were worse

Convinced there was no other way

Get them before they get you first

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Someone out there understand

Someone intervene

It’s not the life his Mama planned

Some one save him please

He’s young, he’s lost, he’s tired, and scared

Yeah, he needs someone

Someone out there

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

It could mean his life

To try and break away

The burden’s are building

They crush him more each day

He won’t look you in the eyes

Afraid of what he knows you’ll find

A child’s heart that’s beating scared

Abandoning that someone cares

Someone out there

~~*~~

Oh...

Someone out there...

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN MINE

I’m not a decorator with a magic touch
But hope I’m going to blow your mind
I transformed a simple sun porch into paradise
With exquisite plants of every kind

~~*~~
I think you 
Are so beautiful
And you should be surrounded 
By the same
I am giving you a room
Filled with perfumes, and blooms
You brighten life in every way
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Everything’s exploding
Fire’s deep inside
I’m burning just to hold you
And to treat you right
When I think about a future
With you at my side
Can’t hold the excitement
 I don’t even try
Life is fine
So fine
Since you've been mine
~~*~~

I went on a tour of NASA for a souvenir
They guarantee came from the moon
I searched to find a jeweler, who’d mix it with gold
To create the perfect gift for you

~~*~~
I think you 
Are out of this world
And I can buy a diamond 
In a store
I am giving you a ring
Made of moon dust and dreams
You have shaken me to the core
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Everything’s exploding
Fire’s deep inside
I’m burning just to hold you
And to treat you right
When I think about a future
With you at my side
Can’t hold the excitement
 I don’t even try
Life is fine
So fine
Since you've been mine
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright © 2013

SHE'S NOT ALONE

There’s a cross hanging over

Sweet Mona Elder’s bed

A book shelf in the corner

Of favorites she has read

Her shaking voice whispers

Like soft caressing winds

She said why don’t you tell me

Where you’d like me to begin

I asked…

Where were you born

For whom are you named

What were your parents like

And how were you raised

Did you ever marry

Have children of your own

How did you end up here 

Why are you all alone

~~~*Chorus*~~~

She said look up there

Do you see that cross

He bears all my pain

Everything I’ve lost

I’m just biding time

Till He takes me home

God is here with me

I am not alone

~~*~~

Born in nineteen twenty two

In Florence, Italy

Named for the “Mona Lisa”

“da vinci’s” greatest piece

Her Daddy was an Artist

Her Mama baked fine breads

One Brother and two Sisters

All whom have been long dead

She married Franklin Elder

They had one little girl

But she died of pneumonia

When she was only two

I didn't think about it

I just let out a moan

And choking up I stated

So that’s why you’re alone

~~~*Chorus*~~~

She said look up there

Do you see that cross

He bears all my pain

Everything I've lost

I’m just biding time

Till He takes me home

God is here with me

I am not alone

~~*~~

I cried of course He is

I’m sorry I said that

Then Mona’s Nurse came in

I asked, can I come back

She said, that’s fine with me

You know we all need friends

And gossip’s not God’s thing

Come,  let’s not pretend

I laughed and said goodbye

And walked the short way home

I felt so good inside

To know she’s not alone

~~~*Chorus*~~~

She said look up there

Do you see that cross

He bears all my pain

Everything I’ve lost

I’m just biding time

Till He takes me home

God is here with me

I am not alone

~~*~~

~~~*E.J.*~~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright © 2013

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Happy Father’s Day

Not so much for me

Unless I’m adding up

All those memories

~~~*~~~

They can make me smile

Maybe even laugh

Then the tears break free

For wanting all that’s past

~~~*~~~

A monument to you 

Such a Loving Man

A Father and a Friend

A gentle guiding hand

~~~*~~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Happy Father’s Day in Heaven

Thank You for the time I had

Please hug some little kids for me

Who are there without their Dads

And though it hurts every waking day

God knows that I’m not mad

There were openings in Heaven

So He took the best we had

~~*~~

~~~*~~~

No matter how old I get

Daddy I do not forget

Everything you've ever 

Done for me

I miss you endlessly

~~*~~

~~~*~~~

I still talk to you all the time

But today weighs heavy on my mind

And I hope that you can hear me

When I pray

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013
Lord, I miss you Dad
Love, Teresa

SO DAMNED LUCKY

I've never bought a winner, on those tickets that you scratch

Never chosen the right fighter in a single boxing match

If I go to the track, and pick a horse, it’s sure to lose

So how’d I get so lucky, so damned lucky, to get you

I’m always stuck in traffic, it doesn't matter when I leave

If I ask about the football pool, coworkers laugh at me

When I say it looks like rain, the sky turns a brilliant blue

So how’d I get so lucky, so damned lucky, to get you

My friends wait for me to bet, so they can bet the other way

I decided to plant corn one year, so they all put in hay

They think that it’s amazing , I laugh every time I lose

I tell them that I’m lucky, so damned lucky to have you

And nothing matters in this world, to me, but loving you

The rest is all just fun and games, no matter what I do

I don’t waste a minute thinking of how often I get screwed

I know that I am lucky, so damned lucky to have you

(spoken)

Yeah, you go ahead and laugh

I’ll laugh right along with you

I hear the whispers 

Doomed …

Me?

No,  not me

I’m lucky

So damned lucky!

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

TAKE ME SOMEWHERE

Let’s get out of here

Go someplace alone

To just drink in the day

Take a basket of

Fine wine, bread, and cheese

And find a peaceful place

Lay a blanket down

You lie next to me

Soft music and fresh air

Kiss me slow and deep

And hold me hot and tight

Come on let’s go somewhere

~~~*Chorus*~~~

No kids   No neighbors   No telephone

Just you and me   Somewhere all alone

Take me anywhere   Let’s get out of here

What’s fair is fair   Take me somewhere

~~*~~

It’s so quiet here

And I love the trees

Sweet little mountain stream

Nature’s a pure

Aphrodisiac

Yeah, babe make love to me

Such a perfect day

On our bed of leaves

Cooled by the fresh clean air

Let’s not wait so long

To do this again

Ahh we all need somewhere

~~~*Chorus*~~~

No kids   No neighbors   No telephone

Just you and me   Somewhere all alone

Take me anywhere   Let’s get out of here

What’s fair is fair   Take me somewhere

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Whispers in my ear

I agree and smile

We are out of here

Yeah, its been awhile

What's fair is fair

Let's go somewhere

Ahhh

Somewhere

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

MONSTER HUNTING

The sky’s steel gray, and the curtains dance

Though every window’s closed

Tenants of the past, shattering of glass

Children cry and moan

What disturbs me most, more than all the ghosts

Is the story of their plight

They were locked inside to starve and die

There’s no way to make things right

~~~*Chorus*~~~

There are humans worse than monsters

Our worst nightmares can create

There’s a beast that lies inside them

No desire to be tamed

No, there’s no way to make things right

For the victims who we love

So let’s all be monster hunters

You know what I’m speaking of

~~*~~

So very young, a sweet innocent

Left in a villain’s hands

With no way to know, that his blood ran cold

Lost to his demands

Oh, how deep it haunts, the revenge I want

Where no court could intervene

He would never touch another child

I’m sure you know what I mean

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

There’s no justice like the justice

Served by an outraged soul

Set me free to hunt these demons

With no laws to take control

I will deal with my conscience

Once I've evened up the score

Can’t abide the monsters anymore

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

There are humans worse than monsters

Our worst nightmares can create

There’s a beast that lies inside them

No desire to be tamed

No, there’s no way to make things right

For the victims that we love

So let’s all be monster hunters

You know what I’m speaking of

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013
So Sorry Little Babies
My Heart Weeps ~~ T*

I SHOULD SURRENDER

There’s a chest 

In the corner of my bedroom 

Filled with things I should avoid

What lies inside

Are just words you put on paper

And pictures I should destroy

Yes I should

Burn up the past that I have saved

This is what I need to do

But I can’t

Destroy collected memories

When they’re all I have of you

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I should exorcise you from my mind

You've possessed it for the longest time

Truth is that I've never tried

And I don’t know if I could

But I surrender…

I surrender that I should

~~*~~

There’s a box

In the bottom of my closet

With your name fading away

Oh I should

Go remove it from it’s haven

And dispose of it today

But it hurts

You can tell me that it shouldn't 

And I realize you're right

That I must

Just abolish what is noxious

Pain that’s cluttering my life

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Dried flowers, all the tickets

To the movies, to L.A

The opera, the museums

Programs from the Broadway plays

Piles of cards and tear stained letters

That are filled with all your lies

Every picture of a young girl

Thinking love would last her life

When the future seemed ideal and good

I would throw them all away if I could

I know I should

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I should exorcise you from my mind

You've possessed it for the longest time

Truth is that I've never tried

And I don’t know if I could

But I surrender…

I surrender that I should

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

HEAR THE WATER

When life becomes oppressive

You want to run away

And you’ve lost your optimistic view

If the laughter of a child

Cannot arouse a smile

Then it is time to do something for you

Don’t abandon every hope

That things will be okay

Pack a bag, get in your car, and drive

Find yourself a mountain road

Where trees and flowers grow

And regain the sense to live your life

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Find a river, find a stream

A simple quiet place to dream

Hear the water, as it runs on by…

Let your fingers dance upon

The flowing coolness, let it draw

Your sorrow, you just say goodbye

Let pain drift away downstream

Release all anxiety

Until you’re feeling cleansed and new

Let the water heal you

~~*~~

Feel the smoothness of the stones

Once their edges have been honed

Look at the brilliance they display

Notice, once you’ve let them dry

They’re not as pleasing to the eye

Just as dull as you have felt today

   So…

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Find a river, find a stream

A simple quiet place to dream

Hear the water, as it runs on by…

Let your fingers dance upon

The flowing coolness, let it draw

Your sorrow, you just say goodbye

Let pain drift away downstream

Release all anxiety

Until you’re feeling cleansed and new

Let the water heal you

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright © 2013

HADAL ZONE

She was gifted fine and lovely
Inviting focus like a fire
In your eyes she is perfectly flawless
A boon you covet , so desire

Buried in the shroud of her beauty
Lies a heart cold as the Hadal Zone
Just as dark and unforgiving
In its depths, all that malice holds

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Deception is an illusion

And you fancy what you want to see

Cast off every affirmation

Believe its what you want to be

Wisdom surrenders to pleasure

Fantasy disarms the truth

Deception is an illusion

And reality’s escaping you

~~*~~

Everything you feel is distorted
You deceive yourself, back her disguise
For you have chosen not to acknowledge
What the flip-side of the coin implies

She's altered everything you stand for
Your integrity, pure lust for life
And you’re refusing to be rescued
You've begun to validate her lies

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

We've all tried to save you

Every soul you used to trust

It’s not good what you’re becoming

Shunning everyone you love

The package is deceptive

Inside’s the devil’s own

An illusion that will sink you

To her depths like you’re a stone

Inside the Hadal Zone

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Deception is an illusion

And you fancy what you want to see

Cast off every affirmation

Believe its what you want to be

Wisdom surrenders to pleasure

Fantasy disarms the truth

Deception is an illusion

And reality’s escaping you

~~*~~
It's so cold...
In the Hadal Zone
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

GRANDMA'S BUTTONS

My Grandma had a coffee can

Filled with buttons to the top

And each one had a story 

She would tell

We would gather at her feet 

She let us pick out five apiece 

And then my Grandma’s voice would 

Weave it’s spell

I remember it so well…

~~~*Chorus*~~~

My stories were of heroines

teachers, maids, and Queens

My Brother’s slaves and presidents

And everything between

She would have us check the facts

From the books that lined her shelves

They were Grandma’s stories

And our Grandma taught us well

~~*~~

I was cleaning Mama’s attic

When I found that coffee can

It was still full of buttons

I shed tears

Now that I am not a child

And my imagination’s mild

I knew it was Grandma’s voice

All those years

Oh, her lessons were so clear…

~~*~~

Well I put the can of buttons 

On the table in the hall

And I left my Mom a note

Grandma style 

Mama take the time to read

Brush up on your history

You’re going to need these buttons

For my child

I could feel my Grandma smile…

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Grandmas buttons, stories told

Lessons for the young and old

It was an adventure every time...

We didn't know, way back then

She'd found a way of weaving in

Facts that would stay with us all our lives

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

My stories were of heroines

Teachers, Maids,  and Queens

My Brother’s slaves and Presidents

And everything between

She would have us check the facts

From the books that lined her shelves

They were Grandma’s stories

And our Grandma taught us well

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

CRAZY THINGS

When the doctor asked how I broke my leg

I said I fell out of a tree

Two day later, when I went back in

He raised his brows at me

I explained it was a fender-bender

That’s how I hit my head

But I really think, my doctor thinks

That it was you instead

~~~*1st Chorus*~~~

You’re the reason that I do 

The crazy things I do

I know that you are cheating

And I’m gathering the proof

Yes, I climb trees, and follow you

Put myself through hell

My doctor is right, you know

I haven’t hurt myself

~~*~~

When I went back in all black and blue

He said my tailbone was fine

I fell in a basement window

I didn’t say it wasn’t mine

So when the cops came by to pick you up

And you begged me to explain

I jumped back, like you’d attack

Acted like I was afraid

Cause…

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

You’re the reason that I do 

The crazy things I do

I knew that you were cheating

And now I have the proof

No you’re not guilty for the marks

That everyone can see

I’ll straighten that out later

But right now I’m quite pleased

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Oh, I told the judge 

You didn’t beat me up

Haven’t laid a hand on me

That your cheating hurt me 

More than that

But they had to set you free

I handed you the pictures

You’ll get the papers in the mail

Don’t come near me or I swear

You’ll wish you’d stayed in jail

Cause…

You’re the reason that I do 

The crazy things I do

And I’d love to let my crazy self

Free to finish you 

Yeah…

I really do

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

SO HOT

Has anybody every really felt like this

Can anyone, but me, describe the waves of bliss

I could melt the ice bar in the Arctic Sea 

With the heat that man stirs up in me

Can you see the water rising

Do you feel the steam

It’s intense

Love’s hot

Supreme

~~*~~

Absolute emotion

Flames of love extreme

It’s intense 

So hot

Supreme

~~*~~

Can anybody tell me what I’m supposed to do

How to navigate the course that I journey through

I could walk on air, this is so unreal

Can’t relate the excitement that I feel

Do you see me radiating

Can you feel the heat

It’s intense

Love’s hot

Supreme

~~*~~

Absolute emotion

Flames of love extreme

It’s intense 

So hot

Supreme

~~*~~

Has anybody missed it, are you all aware

Oh, is it omnipresent, or is rare

I feel like I’m high,  without the aid of drugs

Is this how it feels when love’s enough

Can you see that I am beaming

Sense that I’m complete

It’s intense

Love’s hot

Supreme

~~*~~

Absolute emotion

Flames of love extreme

It’s intense 

So hot

Supreme

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013