MY HEART'S DONE ITS TIME

I feel the blood constricting 
The straining of my heart
To continue beating
I've pushed it way too far

I want to just pull over
But I'm afraid I'll die
I have to keep on leaving
Cause my heart's done its time

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Half the sky is shining bright
Sun bursting through the clouds
The other half is cold and dark
Enough to bring a body down
Oh, heart, please don't fail me
Stay strong, we broke the hold
We have to keep on leaving
And the sky decides the road
~~*~~

God strike me if I didn't
Make my heart do its best
I knew it was in trouble
Knew long before I left

I just can't understand it
Why it should hurt so much
Doesn't make a bit of sense
To keep on pumping love

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
Oh, to save my heart, I have to drive, as far as I can go
I don't have a destination, burned a bridge to all I know
Forced this thing to keep on beating, To love against the odds
It's torn, worn, and barely able to continue pumping on
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Half the sky is shining bright
Sun bursting through the clouds
The other half is cold and dark
Enough to bring a body down
Oh, heart, please don't fail me
Stay strong, we broke the hold
We have to keep on leaving
And the sky decides the road
~~*~~

Heading for sunshine
Leaving dark behind
Time for some healing
My heart's done its time
~~*~~

Teresa LynnJohnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

HELL WILL FREEZE

Did Hell finally freeze over
Did the planets all align
Has Armageddon fallen
Or have pigs learned how to fly

Cause girl when you came knocking
And I opened up my door
Man, it was more than shocking
Cause you told me once before

~~~*1st Chorus*~~~
You could never feel the way I feel
What I thought I felt was no big deal
At that moment you lost your appeal
For believing my love wasn't real
Has Armageddon fallen, be clear
If Hell's not frozen, why are you here
~~*~~

You said that you'd been thinking
And you missed my company
Maybe there was more to me
Than the me you first perceived

I'm going to shut my door now
Could you back up, thanks, that's it
My heart's not on the market
Girl, I haven't changed a bit

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
I haven't heard a scream like that 
Since the day that I was born
I think Armageddon's safer
Than any woman scorned
I guess it's her prerogative
To forget why she's ignored
Yes, it must have escaped her
What she told me once before

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~
She could never feel the way I feel
What I thought I felt was no big deal
At that moment she lost her appeal
For believing my love wasn't real
It's not Armageddon, but it's clear
Hell will freeze
 Before she comes back here
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright©2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

SMOKING GUN

If it weren't for this gun
Smoking in my hand
I'd be a dead man

Just after ten, Sunday night
Kids are all in bed
Was just talking to my wife
She's in Chicago

He stepped out of the shadows
Pushed a knife into my back
Thought about the sleeping kids
I shoved away the blackness
Trying to take me

He walked into the office
I could hear him at the desk
I was crawling back up the stairs
Couldn't catch my breath
But was determined

I made it to the nightstand
Got my hands on my gun
I heard him cuss my absence
Hit the stairs at a run
I was shaking

Made it to my feet
And aimed for the door
He drew back to throw the knife
Shot my gun, he hit the floor

I tried to breathe

If it weren't for this gun
Smoking in my hand
I'd be a dead man

This story's for anyone 
Who tries to take my gun
Imagine your children
At the mercy of this thug
No,  really see it

No rules, in his evil mind
To interrupt his plans
The only thing that stopped him
Was this gun in my hand
And you can't have it 

If it weren't for this gun
Smoking in my hand
I'd be a dead man

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2015

HIS HEART CRIED

Signed away the right , to run his life

The day he turned eighteen

His blood ran pure, red white and blue

There was no in-between

Boot camp was hard, He earned his scars

He left the States prepared

Just enough, of feeling tough

And little bit of scared

Next stop

Iraq

~~~*Chorus*~~~

His heart cried for the people

He'd enlisted to defend

His heart cried for his family

Would he see them all again

He raged against the evil

Dropped them where they stood

Yeah.....

His heart cried

He did all he could

~~*~~

The last thing he remembered

Hard eyes behind a mask

Stone-cold stare, the fight for air

Before it all went black

Recovery was a mission

Dug deep inside himself

Seven years under his belt

The fight to right a senseless Hell

Next stop

Iraq

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Through his mind, he ran their crimes

Should have killed him while they had the chance

Now he's back, revenge attacks 

And they won't survive this dance

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

His heart cried for the people

He'd enlisted to defend

His heart cried for his family

Would he see them all again

He raged against the evil

Dropped them where they stood

Yeah.....his heart cried

He did all he could

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

RIPPING HER TO PIECES

Need to talk to you
I will even plead
Give you anything
Everything I have
She's taken all she can

Can't say I understand
Don't know what's wrong with you
You grew up family strong
No matter what you do
I know, that you know
You're ripping her to pieces

Why don't you grow up
Your not a little boy
Try to be a man
Her heart is not your toy
But it's something you can destroy...
You're ripping it to pieces

~~~*Chorus*~~~
If you care for anyone
Please let it be her
Lose the self destructive ways
Be the soul you were 
You can't make love disappear
She would die for you
You're ripping her to pieces
Is that what you're trying to do
~~*~~

You can block me out 
Ignore every word
Stay the fool you play
Keep on killing her
Tell me, what could be the reason
You're ripping her to pieces...

When her heart gives in
She's no longer here
Will it wake you up
Who will dry your tears

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
It won't be her...
It can't be once you've killed her
You're ripping her to pieces
Soon she'll be gone forever
Stop this now
I don't care how
I won't ever understand the reason
Grow up and be a man
Take care of yourself
And stop ripping her to pieces
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
If you care for anyone
Please let it be her
Lose the self destructive ways
Be the soul you were 
You can't make love disappear
She would die for you
You're ripping her to pieces
Is that what you're trying to do
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

FOREVER'S NOT THAT FAR

Didn't know time flew by like this

Thought I had forever to live 

When you find out how fast it flies

Man,  time picks up the pace

And your dreams, so short and sweet

Stare you in the face....

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Stop hating 

Quit hurting

Look in a mirror

No judging

No cheating

No bullies, no fear

No gossip, no witch-hunts

Be good with whom you are

You think you have forever

But forever's not that far

~~*~~

Everything before the race began

Leaving it behind

Shake it off, Start again, Walk up to the line

Got to do this better, than I ever have before

Thought I had the time to kill

But I don't any more

I want the rush

Before it's all done...

I want love...

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

I know the odds, the final score

Some are evil to the core

Some will forfeit, some will cheat

But some will race for love with me

Hasn't every body finally had enough!

Let's race for love

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Stop hating 

Quit hurting

Look in a mirror

No judging

No cheating

No bullies, no fear

No gossip, no witch-hunts

Be good with whom you are

You think you have forever

But forever's not that far

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Forever's not that far, I've had enough

Gonna race for love

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

I LOVE ALASKA

Sitting on a bluff in Alaska 

Mid July... 

The midnight sun 

Sinking behind "The Sleeping Lady"

 I have found... 

My newest love 

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I Love Alaska

The glaciers, rivers and the trees...

I Love Alaska

The mountains and the ebbing sea

Oh

I didn't think my heart would sway

But the minute I got off that plane

I knew...

I Loved Alaska

~~*~~

Standing on the bank of the "Kenai"

Looking down...

So wild and free

Beauty and power overwhelm me

Marvel of...

A sea foam green

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Blooming everywhere is the bright pink Fireweed

 Saw more eagles today, than I have ever seen

Witnessing the Northern lights 

Grace the darkened skies...

Is one more thing to keep me here

Emotionally high...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I Love Alaska

The glaciers, rivers and the trees...

I Love Alaska

The mountains and the ebbing sea

Oh

I didn't think my heart would sway

But the minute I got off that plane

I knew...

I Loved Alaska

~~*~~

TeresaLynnJohnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

My favorite photo, I have found, of 

Fireweed is one by  Russ Kerr (FireweedWildflowersWIFL#40)

Of "The Sleeping Lady" Patrick J Endres  (AlaskaPhotoGraphics.com)

Of the Northern lights Todd Salat ( AuroraHunter.com)

WORDS OF WISDOM

Words of wisdom...

Of cleverness

Do they ever come to mind

Shadow your ignorance

No, I didn't think so...

When my ears hear

the words you speak

I lose all sense of hope

I wish that I 

Could slap them shut

Once they have tasted soap

I feel sickened

It's really beyond sad

The vile words

Make pretty girls

Sound like common trash

Young men think 

They sound so tough

But that's just stupidity 

Their tiny minds

Got left behind

No sensibility 

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

While you disregard the word respect

With your nasty, obscene mouth

Your lack of wits and common sense

Well, they might just bring you down

Is there any part of you  

Civil people seek to know...

No, I didn't think so

~~*~~

Words of wisdom...

Of cleverness

Do they ever come to mind

Shadow your ignorance

No, I didn't think so...

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2015

TEARS OF ANGER

A little boy..

Beat for smashing windows

Just to hear the sound of breaking glass

A little girl...

Slapped for trying to whistle

Mama screams don't bother us like that

A teen-aged boy...

Crawling to his bedroom

To get away when Daddy's fists were done

A teen-aged girl...

Doesn't want a boyfriend

She'll fight to not be touched by anyone

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Tears of anger Tears of pain

Vows to never love again

Pillows wet from crying out to God

Where were you as I begged

Did you even heed my prayers

Don't you care...

God don't you care

~~*~~

A bright young man...

Creates stained glass windows

Mentors the troubled youth, to learn his trade

A young lady...

Mastered the piano

Free lessons to a different child each day

A true Father...

Takes his son, and his friends

Pays for their training class in self defense

A strong woman's...

A doctor and a guide

Counsels her patients on to live a life

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

There was torture, there was shame

Private hell they overcame

Turned around and blessed us all

They reach out until they find

Sick of body, sick of mind

Tell you that it is God's call

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Tears of anger Tears of pain

Vows to never love again

Pillows wet from crying out to God

Where were you as I begged

Did you even heed my prayers

Don't you care...

God don't you care

~~*~~

~~*Finale*~~

We were given our free will

But the Lord, He loves us still

Darkness finds us, hurts us bad...

And He tries to hold us close

When we're suffering the most

Let Him in to free the dam...

&

Wipe the tears of anger...

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright©2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

#StopChildAbuse

SISTERS

Hanging from my rear-view mirror
A single silver heart
I put it there to comfort me
In the times we spend apart
I smile, reach up to touch it
Brush the word that is engraved
Sister
Sister's what it says

Close my eyes and see you
Smiling back at me
We hold each others hands
Just like children in a dream
The miles disappear
Feel my hand on your shoulder
As I pray, God please 
Watch over her
My precious little Sister

And I know God watches over you 
While we are apart
My Sisters given by their birth
And my Sisters of the heart..

Until I get to hold your hand
And look into your eyes
I will trace the name
I had engraved
For Sisters dear as mine

Hanging from my rear-view mirror
A single silver heart
I put it there to comfort me
In the times we spend apart
I smile, reach up to touch it
Brush the word that is engraved
Sister
Sister's what it says
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2015

PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO LOVE ME

 I know that I am blessed

Because I've got the best

People in my life who love me...

Can't count the times I fell

When they gave of themselves

People in my life who love me...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

People break down

It's a demanding road

Almost unbearable

When you travel it alone

I do what I can

bare heart and hands

Wish them all Godspeed

Pray dear Lord

May you reward

Them , as you have me

I have people in my life who love me

~~*~~

Sometimes I feel mixed up

When there is so much love

From these people in my life who love me...

When I just wasn't  right

They never left my side

I have people in my life who love me...

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Outright..

Unreserved

Genuine, no holds barred

Family and Friends I love you

Ya'll know who you are...

You're the people in my life who love me...
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

People break down

It's a demanding road

Almost unbearable

When you travel it alone

I do what I can

bare heart and hands

Wish them all Godspeed

Pray dear Lord

May you reward

Them , as you have me

I have people in my life who love me

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Thank You! 

To all of the beautiful

People, in my life, who

Love me...  Lord knows

I LOVE YOU TOO! T*

JOHNNY CASH

When Johnny sang at Folsom ,  bared the grace he had

Aware that he'd been blessed, and was giving something back

Compelled by,  what some can't understand

Empathy

For the plight of man

He'd walked up a fractured road

He'd come to know too well

And through the gift of music

Johnny shared himself

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Working in the fields of cotton

Oppression and death

Living through the great depression

All that he had left

Was a fractured road

And the talents he possessed

Was an uphill path 

For Johnny Cash

~~*~~

Well,  John was liberated, from his own walk through hell

After years of sharing, all he could about himself

Compelled by, what some can't understand

Compassion

For his fellow man

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

The Good Lord and  the Carters , never left the man alone

filled the cracks with love, on that road he'd traveled on

Had the same influence in their bones....

It was music

Genius don't desert their own...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Working in the fields of cotton

Oppression and death

Living through the great depression

All that he had left

Was a fractured road

And the talents he possessed

Was an uphill path 

For Johnny Cash

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~
His second half of life
He had June and the kids
Some folks don't deserve it
Oh, but John sure did...
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

MILLER CREEK

Just two kids in high school

When he shyly kissed my cheek

Watching the sun set 

Up on Miller Creek

And I swear that my heart still pounds 

Every time that sun goes down

Behind the peaks...

Up Miller Creek

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Oh, meet me up Miller Creek

Kiss the life back into me

Talk about the sunsets spent apart

Miller Creek...

Where that boy stole my heart

~~*~~

Still young, first college summer

My resolve was weak

Marriage would come later

First came Miller Creek

And when he became a Soldier

A claimed heart broke in half

Knew it wouldn't be the same

Until that boy came back

To be with me...

Up Miller Creek

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Back where it all started, and I know that it will end

Faithful as the rains that fall, and never ending winds

As sure as desire, to be loved, runs true and deep

My heart waits...

Up Miller Creek

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Oh, meet me up Miller Creek

Kiss the life back into me

Talk about the sunsets spent apart

Miller Creek...

Where that boy stole my heart

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright ©2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

THE SMELL OF PARADISE

I was raised in Paradise

At least that's what I believed

And no one ever told me 

 I was wrong 

I loved the ranch in Winter 

Spring was always beautiful

But oh the smell of Summer

Was too strong

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Daddy would smile at me, and say...

Honey, that's the smell of money

Bought the house and all we own

Honey, that's the smell of money

Paid for all that you've got on

Take a whiff, get used to it

Smile and breathe it in..

Honey that's the smell of money

That's the way it's always been 

~~*~~

Heaven is the mountain range

And this home where I've grown up

Riding horses every night

When life begins

We drink the sweetest water

Everything we eat is fresh

My smile only fades

With changing winds

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

I fight back the stinging tears

Same as I've had to do for years

Can't hold my breath long enough

Winter can't come soon enough

Shake my head and roll my eyes

Repeat, repeat, repeat the lines

Tell my fogged up, gagging mind

This is the smell...

The smell of Paradise...

~~*~~

~~~*2nd Chorus*~~~

Daddy still smiles at me, and says...

Honey, that's the smell of money

Bought the house and all we own

Honey, that's the smell of money

Paid for all that you've got on

Take a whiff, get used to it

Smile and breathe it in..

Honey that's the smell of money

That's the way it's always been 

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2015 

ABOVE THE WIRE

You want to stop it

You can't go on

You think you're dying

The pain's soooo strong...

Your heart can't take it

Your mind's on fire

You want it over

It's so thin...

The wire

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Walking on the wire...

For such a long time now

A true test of balance

That you survive somehow

Oh, the turmoil

That awful mess below

You want it over

Cause all it does is grow...

And you're so tired

So tired

Of the wire

~~*~~

You pray, just end this

Or help me please

You know I give up

I feel so weak...

My heart can't take this

A mind on fire

I want this over

I hate it

This wire

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

You think the wires growing thinner

Feel the strength left start to wither

And the ones who love you closing in

Here to show you...

Show you how you always win...

How you've fought,  and how you've helped

Lift other people from their hell

They all know the you, you sacrifice

Their angel 

Their angel held up by a wire 

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Walking on the wire...

For such a long time now

A true test of balance

And you've survived somehow

Oh, the turmoil

That awful mess below

Leave it down there

And above it float...

Above the wire

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright©2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

THE GOOD OLD WAYS

My Grandma had her own way of talking

Words that I've remembered through the years

Like, it's always darkest before the dawn

There's no sense wasting all those tears

Girl, just cause you've got it, don't you flaunt it

But there's never a need to feel ashamed

Stand up straight!

~~~*Chorus*~~~

You clear the table

While I draw a bath

Go throw the chickens

Something to scratch

Stoke up the fire

I'll brew us a pot

Always give the Good Lord

Everything you've got

Don't just stand there

You've got a brain, girl move...

Go do something

Or I'll find something for you..

You don't stop moving till you're dead...

Pay attention...

Act like you've got some sense

~~*~~

My Grandpa had his own way of talking

What he said was profound, but always brief

Lazy is only for the babies

You either work your tail off, or get beat

You're only as good as your word is

No one respects a liar, or a thief

Wash up, let's eat

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Kids never said that they were bored

Wake up, eat, and do your chores

Your reward was the proud look on their face

Oh Lord I miss them

And the good old ways

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

You clear the table

While I draw a bath

Go throw the chickens

Something to scratch

Stoke up the fire

I'll brew us a pot

Always give the Good Lord

Everything you've got

Don't just stand there

You've got a brain, girl move...

Go do something

Or I'll find something for you..

You don't stop moving till you're dead...

Pay attention...

Act like you've got some sense

~~*~~

I think about them..

I'll hear some long lost phrase

And I'll remember

Oh...

I'll remember

The good old ways

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2015

RECOVERING YOU

If I could touch my heart

Oh fates believe

I'd protect it

Hold it in gently

Come on lungs breathe...

Feet stand steady

Can't ask myself

Girl, are you ready

~~~*Chorus*~~~

You're here

Outside
I could touch you if I wanted to
Am I 
Ready
Ready to recover you
~~~*~~~

If you would have stayed gone
Gone from my life
I'd have no need
To repossess you
Old addictions...
Can be deadly
Can't ask myself
Girl, are you ready

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
No, I can't ask myself, or shield my heart
Didn't have the time, and as the craving starts
The pain that once killed me
Flashes dimly...
I ask myself
Girl, are you ready
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
You're here
Outside
I could touch you if I wanted to
Am I 
Ready
Ready to recover you
~~~*~~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Opening the door
The kiss is the fix
All I seem to remember
Is the beauty
I've recovered you
Oh...
So ready
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Wrdspn@aol.com
Copyright© 2015

I KNEW HIM

He walks along the road

Looking for spare change

Cans and bottles 

That he can trade

His clothes are dirty

And his shoes are taped

I know him..

I know his face

~~~*Chorus*~~~

He's her baby boy

Her only Son

And he breaks her heart

Like no one

Like no one else can do...

Wish I could show him

Show him what he puts her through

~~*~~

You would never know

He's only twenty one

His eyes are old

From the drugs he's done

His mind is jaded

No his thoughts aren't clear

I know him..

Here come the tears

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Her heart gets weaker every single day

She begs him to come home

Prays that he will change

But he looks right through her

Like she isn't there

He runs away

Too gone to care

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

He's her baby boy

Her only Son

And he breaks her heart

Like no one

Like no one else can do...

Wish I could show him

Show him what he puts her through

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Wish I could save him

Shake him, make him aware...

I knew him

Knew him before
Before he went out there
I knew him...

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2015

GOD HAS EYES

Only Cowards rape women

Kill innocent children

Tuck their tails to run and hide...

Oh , but God has eyes

Only demons spread terror

Can still look in the mirror

And not see something vile...

Oh, but God has eyes

He sees you worthless cowards

Corrupted scourge of man

The Devil's own puppets

Isis and the Taliban

Only Cowards destroy life

Think that it's their right

Take their own so they won't pay...

Let me set you straight

You are nothing
You'll burn when you die

The innocent will survive...

They'll live forever
God has eyes

He sees you worthless cowards

Corrupted scourge of man

The Devil's own puppets

Isis and the Taliban

While you're burning

For your wicked ways

You will finally see

Evil always pays

Yes there's a price...

God has eyes

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright©2014

Mourning the brutal 

attacks of the innocent

So many broken hearts..

GOD'S KIND

The scavengers they feasted

And when the feed was done

The Devil moaned, for evil bones

Left bleaching in the sun

A reign of terror ended

So the Devil's on the hunt

Lock your doors, get blessed before

The setting of the sun

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Memorize the Good Book

Pray to protect yourselves

The Devil, he is on the hunt

And his prey go straight to Hell

His evil quest

Begins at sunset

~~*~~

A young man was out preaching

To people of the street

The Devil neared, to sniff out fear

And backed off in defeat

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

He sensed a power greater

Than he could ever hope to be

Felt a fire burning hotter

Than the Hell of his retreat

He walked on by...

Just a waste of time...

Didn't even try...

With God's kind

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Memorize the Good Book

Pray to protect yourselves

The Devil, he is on the hunt

And his prey go straight to Hell

His evil quest

Begins at sunset

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

You shall find

You'll be just fine

When you're God's Kind

Mmm

God's kind

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2014

Wrdspnr@aol.com