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

THANK YOU DADDY

Thank you Daddy

For leaving me with memories

That can make me smile, bring a tear

You were always there for me

To bait the hook when we went fishing

Drive the car on all those trips

Put your hand on my shoulder

When we went hunting and I missed

For the great big pots of chili

Pancakes on the weekends

Reading to us from the Bible

Every letter that you sent

For telling me you were proud

Of me all the time

For saying "You don't have to"

When you walked me down the aisle :)

~~~*~~~

Thank you Daddy
For loving me this way
You were always there for me
And I Miss You Every Day
~~*~~

Thank you Daddy
For kissing Mom in front of us
For never raising your voice to her
Kids don't see this enough

For teaching your Sons
Not to curse in front of girls
Raising us wise enough
To make it in this world

For tips big enough to pay my rent
When you ate where I worked
For saying, "Girl, you know it's okay
To leave him, he's a jerk"  :)

For spoiling your Grandson
And thanking me for him
For stopping by, brightening our lives
When things got a little dim

~~~*~~~
Thank You Daddy
For Loving me this way
You were always there for me
And I Miss You Every Day
~~*~~

~~~*~~~
Thank You Daddy
For calling us "out of the blue"
I think that's what I miss the most
Hearing you say "I Love You"
Thank You Daddy
For always being there for me
Thank You Daddy
Thank You for the Memories
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Happy 71st Birthday Dad
I Miss You Every Day!
Copyright © 2013





MISSING DREAMS

It’s been years…

That I have been without you

Facing life…

It’s been so long…

I still can’t stop the tears from flowing

Every time you come to mind

The smallest things…

Always remind me of you

Things you’d do…

On the street..

You come to life in strangers

I just keep looking for you

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I tell myself I’d know

If you were really gone

Maybe I need the hope

To keep existing

Ahhh

Simply breathing isn't living

If you don’t have dreams

And my dreams are always

That you will return to me

Missing dreams...

~~*~~

It’s been hard…

Pretending that I’m coping

When I’m not…

The steep incline…

That I climb

Offers me no guarantee

That I’ll find you at the top

I won’t stop…

I will keep searching for you

I promise to…

I promise you…

Even if I die trying

To make this dream come true

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

You've vanished

Disappeared

I’m hollow and empty

A void without you here

Missing…

Absent from me

When someone’s lost

They must be found

That’s my dream

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I tell myself I’d know

If you were really gone

Maybe I need the hope

To keep existing

Ahhh

Simply breathing isn't living

If you don’t have dreams

And my dreams are always

That you will return to me

Missing dreams

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

“Without a Trace”

“ION” Television

DON'T MASSACRE YOUR MAN

Pour on the love 

Like  the clearest water

Brighten up his life

Like the warming sun

Keep every bed free

Of undue burdens

Revel in the bounty

For all you've done

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Don’t drown him till he’s overwhelmed

And burn him in your shameless way

Suffocate, asphyxiate,

And dominate him every day

Don’t abase, humiliate

Crushing him with your demands

Loosen the vise, and just be nice…

~~*~~

Don’t massacre your man

~~*~~

Offer your opinions

Like the gentle winds

And be supportive

On the days he bends

When life’s troublesome

Help him when you can

They’ll know you've been there

Been there for your man…

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

No one wants to hang around a total wretch

Out to pillage any dignity that he has left

When it gets to the point they want to take you down

Reconsider the man you've built your life around

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Don’t drown him till he’s overwhelmed

And burn him in your shameless way

Suffocate, asphyxiate,

And dominate him every day

Don’t abase, humiliate

Crushing him with your demands

Loosen the vise, and just be nice…

~~*~~

Don’t massacre your man

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

THIS ROAD OF TIME

Listen
Hear the greatest men

Marching in the skies

Their boots are the thunder 

As they are stomping by

Their guns are the lightning 

Straight from Heaven’s Gates

For every fallen Comrade 

Who has shared their fate

The tears of rain aren't sorrow 

For the loss of life 

They are sent as a reminder 

Of their sacrifice

There have been so many

Some they’ll never find

There have been so many 

Down this road of time

~~~*Chorus*~~~

There have been so many 

Down this road of time

Brothers bound by honor

Fighting side by side

There have been so many

Who gave up their lives

Thank you to the brave souls

Those who've fought and died

~~*~~

Listen
Hear the greatest men

Marching in the skies

Their boots are the thunder 

As they are stomping by

Their guns are the lightning 

Straight from Heaven’s Gates

For every fallen Comrade 

Who has shared their fate

The tears of rain aren't sorrow 

For the loss of life 

They are sent as a reminder 

Of their sacrifice

There have been so many

Some they’ll never find

There have been so many 

Down this road of time

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

To the ones who made it home

Somehow stayed alive

Bearing pain and nightmares

For the rest of time

For every single Hero

Who fought to keep men free
For every man who’s died
For every casualty
I honor your memory
Thankful as I pray
For every fallen Hero

Every day's Memorial Day

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

There have been so many 

Down this road of time

Brothers bound by honor

Fighting side by side

There have been so many

Who gave up their lives

Thank you to the brave souls

Those who've fought and died

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

RIDE THE WAVE

The beginning may be 
A virtual hurricane
And you're truly drowning 
With the onslaught of pain

Loss is the greatest storm 
You’ll ever suffer through
But enduring it is possible
If you believe in you

When you’re fed up with the winds
Always crashing through your mind
It’s time to grab a surfboard
And ride…

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Ride the wave
Overcome the storm 
Pounding you apart
Ride the wave
Storms don’t last forever 
Neither will your broken heart
Surf like a Champion
Don’t be the Typhoon’s slave
Overcome the storm 
Ride the wave
Ride the wave
~~*~~

You believe, within the uproar
Your screams remain unheard
That serenity’s beyond your reach
While misery is at its worst

You must deal with the demon
The eye of the storm
Overcome thee obstacles
Learn to ride the board
Ride the wave...

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~
Ride the wave
Overcome the storm 
Pounding you apart
Ride the wave
Storms don’t last forever 
Neither will your broken heart
Surf like a Champion
Don’t be the Typhoon’s slave
Overcome the storm 
Ride the wave
~~*~~

~~~* Musical Bridge*~~~ 

~~~*Finale*~~~
Once you have it mastered
And you’re no longer scared
When the winds rise up again
At least you’ll be prepared
~~*~~

With every gain there will be pain
That wants to pull you back
Don’t let the tides of guilt
Control your life like that 
Ride the wave
Ride the wave
Ride the wave
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

LITTLE MINDS

Before you fight again tonight

Before you say those awful things

Before you claim to be good parents

Better listen to me...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Little eyes see everything

Little ears hear every word

Little minds absorb it all
And little mouths repeat your dirt
Go  somewhere else to air it out
In their presence keep it hid
They don’t deserve to hear these things
They’re only little kids
~~*~~

So you like the song that’s playing
Repeating every vile word
It’s not okay, in any way
For your five year old to learn
Maybe it’s time to grow up
And stop thinking of yourself
Imagine that you’re doing well
Why don’t you ask somebody else


~~~*Chorus*~~~
Little eyes see everything
Little ears hear every word
Little minds absorb it all
And little mouths repeat your dirt
Go somewhere else to air it out
In their presence keep it hid
They don’t deserve to hear these things
They’re only little kids
~~*~~

You call their Dad a worthless bum
You call their Mom a dirty name
They grow up with no sense of pride
You only have yourselves to blame
When you brought them in to this world
Did you plan on this abuse
Why do you keep on hurting them
Come on and tell me your excuse


~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
Not everyone should have a child
When you teach them how to hate
Some parents don’t deserve the name
But they wake up far too late
Those little souls grow warped and cold
From the awful things they've learned
Well, I won’t pat you on the back
It's nothing you have earned
~~*~~

~~~*Final Chorus*~~~
Little eyes see everything
Little ears hear every word
Little minds absorb it all
And little mouths repeat your dirt
Go somewhere else to air it out
In their presence keep it hid
They don’t deserve to hear these things
They’re only little kids
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

THANK YOU FROM ME

What a beautiful morning 
I plan for this to be
Gave the Lord my cares, via my prayers
He's the master of tragedies

And He sure knows I’m not
My heart breaks, with every life He takes
And it’s the only one I've got

He helps to restore it, accepts woe graciously
Eases the pain, and gives me a day
Like I plan for this to be
Oh, I Love you God
Thank You from Me

~~~*Chorus*~~~
I can look and find beauty all because of you
When, after a disaster, it’s so hard to do
I pray with a shadowed heart inside of me
Deliver all my doubt and pain until it’s clean
Oh, I Love You God
Thank You from me
~~*~~

What an awful existence
I know that I would live
If I let the hate, come in and take
All the Faith and Love God gives

I know it’s worth the fight
My heart bleeds,  if friends don’t believe
His promise of eternal life
I know my family waits, it doesn't end with death
I understand, and it helps me plan
Every day with happiness
Oh, I Love You God
Thank You from me

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
I've never been a Saint
And I've battled Faith
With my own cross to bear
But I know inside
That I would have died
If the Good Lord wasn't there

I would have given up
Because life’s too much
Without Hope to see me through
I pray every night, with all my might
That you'll let Him rescue you
~~*~~

~~~*Final Chorus*~~~
I can look and find beauty all because of Him
When, after a disaster, it’s so cold and dim
I pray with a shadowed heart inside of me
Deliver all my doubt and pain until it’s clean

Oh, I Love You God
Thank You from me
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

THE CHANCE

When those girls walked in together

It got mighty hot in here

They could not have been more different

Both were beauties, that was clear

One was tall, short raven hair

A tattooed work of art

Sure’d like to get a better view

Of the wings over her heart

Her friend was small, with bright blue eyes

Honey hair hung long and loose

A man could count himself quite blessed

If he had the chance to choose

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I’m gonna take a chance

Ask one to dance

Maybe this will be my night

Maybe just tonight

Maybe all my life

If the chance turns out alright 

Gotta take the chance and try

~~*~~

I saw her at the theater

Her red hair caught my eye

When she looked up, and smiled at me

My collar got too tight

She said I've never seen a man

Turn brighter than this hair

As we stood and laughed about it

I chose to take a dare

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Oh…

Perhaps I will get lucky

There’s a possibility 

I’m the kind of man

That will take the chance

Given opportunity

Whether it’s a date

She just wants to play

Maybe she’s my destiny

I don’t know who she is yet

Gotta take the chance to see

~~*~~

~~~*Final Chorus*~~~

I’m gonna take a chance

See if she has plans

Maybe this will be my night

Maybe just tonight 

Maybe all my life

If the chance turns out alright

Gotta take the chance and try

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

JUDGE THE HEART

If the mountains were all flattened

The rivers and oceans gone

If the lands were pulled together

Of the earth we live upon

Had to rely on one another

To continue to exist

Would the senseless hate dissipate

Have you ever wondered this...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Children only know

What they're taught as they grow

And I don't like the lessons we impart

Strip away the skin and bones

Until the heart stands all alone

And you can't tell a single soul apart

Then judge the heart

~~*~~

If the money was divided

Everything shared equally

All able bodies had to work

Everyone cared for the weak

If we were decent to each other

Would the hate be any less

Just respecting those deserving

Have you ever wondered this...

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Oh judging hearts 

Life's already hard

~~*~~

Accept who is different

As long as their heart is well

Stay out of their business

If they're keeping to themselves

We aren't all the same religion

But we are all human beings

Oh why do we judge each other

Hate is such an awful thing

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Children only know

What they're taught as they grow

And I don't like the lessons we impart

Strip away the skin and bones

Until the heart stands all alone

And you can't tell a single soul apart

Then judge the heart

~~*~~

Oh judging hearts

Life's already hard

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013

AS THE LEAVES FALL

Oh the trees were brilliant colors

On the day that you left home

Then Winter came and blanketed

Everything with cold and snow

The rains of Spring, with birds that sing

And then Summer's blistering heat

Ah the coolness in the evenings

As the Fall returns to me

Sure wish you could come back to me

As this cycle starts again

It’s lonely here without you

Miss my Soldier, my best friend

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Oh Sweet Soldier of mine 

Please be safe, free of harm

Thinking of you as the leaves fall

I need you in my arms

~~*~~

I can hear the children laughing 

Wish that it would ricochet

And find its way into my heart

That is missing you today

I watch everyone around me

As they go on with their lives

While you’re fighting for our Country

Knowing all you sacrifice

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Oh Sweet Soldier of mine 

Please be safe, free of harm

Thinking of you as the leaves fall

I need you in my arms

~~*~~

I endure my time without you

Won’t deny how hard it gets

As the leaves are slowly falling

And you haven’t come home yet

You’re a Soldier, and I love you

You’re the greatest man I know

You’re heart’s always beat with honor

And I knew that you would go

But I pray that you’ll come home soon

You've been all that you can be

Thinking of you as the leaves fall

Wishing you were here with me

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Oh Sweet Soldier of mine 

Please be safe, free of harm

Thinking of you as the leaves fall

I need you in my arms

~~*~~

As the leaves fall...

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspnr@aol.com
Copyright © 2013