PAINT A PICTURE

I want to paint a picture for you 

To store within your heart 

Something that sings, lightens your dreams 

When your world's falling apart 

I want to make your smile come home 

Bond with your trembling lips 

The ones you love, you're thinking of

Right here at your fingertips

This is what I really want to do...

Paint a picture for you

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Close your eyes, go ahead and cry

Don't fight the pain of loss

Say what you mean, go on and scream

We all know what it's cost...

Now...

Let yourself see a moment 

Laughing with the one you love

Breathe it in...

Soak it up...

There's your picture

~~*~~

I want to paint a picture for you 

To overshadow grief

Highlight the times, when their life shined

Planting magic true and deep

I want to frame what you remember

The magic is still there

It helps you keep, sweet memories

For when your heart needs repair

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Can you see the picture

Their hand holding yours

Can you hear the memories

The laughter you have stored

Now, come on, smile for me....

And set that laughter free...

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Close your eyes, go ahead and cry

Don't fight the pain of loss

Say what you mean, go on and scream

We all know what it's cost...

Now...

Let yourself see a moment 

Laughing with the one you love

Breathe it in...

Soak it up...

There's your picture

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright © 2016

Wrdspnr@aol.com

HONEYSUCKLE VINE

Honeysuckle 

Hanging heavy on the vine

Alluring burden

Sweet trickster to the eyes

The fragrance of the petals

But a ruse to draw you close

Can't see beyond the smokescreen

To it's masquerading host

~~~*Chorus*~~~

 Sweet Honeysuckle....

From your vines 

I must break free

Sweet Honeysuckle

Alluring burden to me..

~~*~~

A great mass of destruction

Ripping up the gentle ground

Spreading like a sickness

When there's no cure to be found

Seemingly so perfect

On the surface bright and sweet

But deeply flawed, when you take the time

To find out what's beneath

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

You attracted me, like a honey bee

Looking for that nectar sweet...

Just a taste, to seal my fate

Unaware of how you feed

From behind , those deadly vines

Entangled , can't break free

 Alluring burden

You're suffocating me...

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Sweet Honeysuckle....

From your vines 

I must break free

Sweet Honeysuckle

Alluring burden to me..

~~*~~

TeresaLynnJohnson

Copyright© 2016

Wrdspnr@aol.com

THE BEAUTY HE COULD SEE

Daddy wrote, girl come and live here

We haven't seen you much this past year

I wrote I miss you too

But I don't want to leave

Dad, I breathe the trees and mountains

There it's barren, you can count them

He told me once...

There's beauty to see

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Why didn't I move when he wanted me to

There's no way I could have known

It's the last thing he would ask me

Before the Good Lord called him home

He would have shared with me

The beauty he could see

~~*~~

What's so terribly ironic

Is I'm now living where he wanted

No it was not by choice

But I just call that fate

I still miss the trees and mountains

Here it's barren, you can count them

Now I do see beauty

Yeah, now that it's too late

~~*~~

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

I look around and think about it

Positive could so describe him

Laughter echoes in my memory

All the Love he gave his family

I let the tears fall free...

And I see...

The beauty 

Daddy tried to share with me

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Why didn't I move when he wanted me to

There's no way I could have known

It's the last thing he would ask me

Before the Good Lord called him home

He would have shared with me

The beauty he could see

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~

Dad's the reason I now see...

The beauty he could see

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2016

Wrdspnr@aol.com

FALLEN HEROES

There is a way to thank our fallen heroes
For giving their lives,,, for all of us
A way to ease the pain just a little
Though we know it could never be enough

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Find their families..
That's where we begin
Ease their burdens
It's a way to honor them
Our Fallen Heroes
~~*~~

To me, its not enough just feeling guilty
When a brave soul has given up their life
We can show more honor in repaying
A little towards their greatest sacrifice

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
We can cry when a hero dies
Pray for those they've left behind
And we can show how much it truly means...
We can help the families
Of Fallen Heroes
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Find their families..
That's where we begin
Ease their burdens
It's a way to honor them
Our Fallen Heroes
~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~
And we can thank the wounded
Me and You...
The Brothers of the fallen
There's so much we can do..
For all the Heroes
~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson
Copyright© 2016
Wrdspnr@aol.com
For every Hero, who
sacrifices for us...
It isn't enough, but
it is a way to Thank You...
My deepest gratitude to
you and your families...
Love, Teresa

UNWRITTEN RULE ... (Men's room etiquette )

He walked into the men's room

Said, "How's it going bud?"

Struck up a conversation

Like it was a social club

My brain recalled a memory

Relayed Man this isn't cool

You don't talk in the men's room

It's an unwritten rule

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Ever since I was a little boy

Just to my Daddy's knees

Engraved within that little brain

Lists of proprieties

As I've grown, they still are known

And most of them hold true

This list of things acceptable

What you do and do not do

~~*~~

He laughed and kept on talking

I went to wash my hands

Surprised he was unaware

That I wasn't talking back

And just as I was leaving

He yelled, "See ya later dude!"

I came to the conclusion

He's missing a few screws

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

Cause you don't talk in the men's room

Unless your paper's gone

Do not approach another

Do your business and move on

I'm not looking for a friend

When I walk into that room

You don't visit at the urinal

It's an unwritten rule

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Ever since I was a little boy

Just to my Daddy's knees

Engraved within that little brain

Lists of proprieties

As I've grown, they still are known

And most of them hold true

This list of things acceptable

What you do and do not do

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Kane Allen Holmes

Copyright© 2016

Wrdspnr@aol.com

COMPROMISED ..... FEAR AND FAITH

Are you scared

A little frightened

Or totally terrified...

Are you lost

In your suspicions

Does fear bid you run and hide....

Your Faith's been compromised

Hold a grudge

For every stranger

Add your scorn to their dismay

It's been done

Since the beginning

When fear spawns a shallow hate

Does panic cloud your faith

~~~*1st Chorus*~~~

Kill the body not the soul

Do not let fear take them both

God is everlasting and He waits

Drown your fear with faith

~~*~~

Are you scared

A little frightened

Or totally terrified...

Are you lost

In your suspicions

Does fear bid you run and hide....

Your Faith's been compromised

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~ 

Leave the fear and hate

At Hell's wanton gates

Open up your eyes

Let Faith rule your lives...

 For the rest of time.....

~~*~~

~~~*Final Chorus*~~~

Give your body not your soul

do not let fear claim them both

God is everlasting and He waits

Drown your fear with faith

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Copyright© 2016

Matthew 10:28

TRUE BLUE HEROES

Not everyone dreams of a home to call their own
Though it seems like the sane thing to do
Not everybody wants a top paying job
All the bells and whistles their life through

Sounds Crazy but it's true...

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Some are born to serve...
To fight for and defend
The Country of their birth
It is not for adoration
But the honor of their worth
True Blue Heroes
Rise for the call to serve
~~*~~

Not every soul bleeds to go beyond basic needs
To crave recognition for their gains
Not every person shies when the hunger burns inside
Pushing want for justice through their veins

Irrational or sane...

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~
Some will be the first to tell me they are not a saint
I've listened to some stories which are not for the faint
Some have faced the greatest odds, watched their buddies die
Swallowed despair, sent up a prayer, and stood back up to fight
And for some...
Conflict is all they'll ever know...
These True Blue Heroes
~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~
Some are born to serve...
To fight for and defend
The Country of their birth
It is not for adoration
But the honor of their worth
True Blue Heroes
Rise for the call to serve
~~*~~

For my Friends
My Storytellers
My True Blue Heroes
Those who have traveled to foreign shores
and fought for their Country
#UnitedStatesArmedForces
#FederalMilitryForcesOfTheUnitedStates
#Army #NationalGuard #Navy #MarineCorps
#AirForce #CoastGuard
My gratitude runs deep, and my respect has no limit! T*

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright© 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

THIS IS MY THANKSGIVING

I'm as thankful as the Hebrews

Once they made it through the sea

The Count of Monte Cristo

When his brilliance set him free

More thankful than Rhett Butler

Once he didn't give a damn

Yes, my friends, I'm thankful

That's the kind of soul I am

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I share what I am thankful for

What makes this a great life

What I wake up thinking of

And pray for every night

Thankful for each one of you

For the blessed life I am living

Sharing my deep gratitude

This is my Thanksgiving...

~~*~~

I'm thankful for each hero 

Pray they safely make it home

The parents of adoption

Filling lives with love and hope

Good people with their precious hearts

Putting others first

But most of all for Jesus

Faith brings me through the worst

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

The sun on my face

The sweet smell of rain

Snow that blankets everything

The Good Lord above

The awesomeness of Love

All making my heart sing

Thanksgiving...

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I share what I am thankful for

What makes this a great life

What I wake up thinking of

And pray for every night

Thankful for each one of you

For the blessed life I am living

Sharing my deep gratitude

This is my Thanksgiving...

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright © 2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

Giving thanks for each & every one of you

today, and every day...

Love Always, Teresa 

"HUDDLED MASSES" ~~ No Escape~~

Didn't think I could feel more shame

Than I already did

Towards the so-called leaders

In this Country where I live

Please know they do not speak for me

I have my own voice

And I would take the "Huddled Masses" 

If they just gave me the choice

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Look at your babies

Think of your families 

What would you do to save them

Wouldn't you give anything

Look at your babies

Remember every face

Of the people you would die for

What if there was no escape

You call me ignorant and crazy...

Look at your babies

~~*~~

My ancestors were immigrants 

And so were most of yours

Some of them weren't welcomed

When their boats came to these shores

And some of them did go through hell

Pain we have never known

We're here, so they weren't turned away

Now we call this Country home

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

America

Land of the Free

Let me tell you what that means to me

Every day should not bring fear

Desperation, no escape

Let the fearful join us here

Change their certain fate

I'm ashamed of the hateful hearts

Ignoring anguished pleas

Look at your babies

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Look at your babies

Think of your families 

What would you do to save them

Wouldn't you give anything

Look at your babies

Remember every face

Of the people you would die for

What if there was no escape

You call me ignorant and crazy...

They too have babies

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Maybe it's my Faith in God 

That would open up the seas

Because He gave me everything

And expects the same from me

Fear and hate

No escape

~~*~~

TeresaLynnJohnson

Copyright©2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

l Corinthians 13:13

I CAN'T LET THAT FLY

You walked right past him

Like he's not even there

To you, he doesn't matter

Just a waste of space and air

You ignore his greetings

Avoid his haunted eyes

To you he is nothing

So you always walk on by

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Doesn't matter if he's hungry

Doesn't matter how he lives

Well, he bravely served his country

That is what this hero did

Put in his years, to come back here

Open wounds he cannot heal

Lost his home, everything he owns

And to you, he's no big deal

So You always walk on by

Well, I can't let that fly

~~*~~

I stood before you

told you to turn around

I didn't need a weapon

A real threat has its own sound

I told you to say hello

And for his sacrifice

You will now respect him

Always look him in the eyes

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

What you're doing is impolite

There's no way you've earned the right

To treat a Veteran like you have

Raise your nose, and walk on by...

Lady I can't let that fly

~~*~~

~~~*Chorus*~~~

Doesn't matter if he's hungry

Doesn't matter how he lives

Well, he bravely served his country

That is what this hero did

Put in his years, to come back here

Open wounds he cannot heal

Lost his home, everything he owns

And to you, he's no big deal

So You always walk on by

Well, I can't let that fly

~~*~~

Teresa Lynn Johnson

Copyright©2015

Wrdspnr@aol.com

My Deepest Gratitude 

To our Veterans...

Thank You for your service to

This Country we call home

Love, Teresa @>~~~>~~~~

SHARING WISHES

A pretty little girl in pigtails

Her 7th birthday cake

All her friends around the table

To help her celebrate

She looked at all their faces

Her blue eyes full of tears

Said I'd rather have my Daddy

But I'm still glad you're here

He wouldn't want me crying

So I won't sit here and pout

Come on everybody

Help me blow these candles out

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I'm going to share my wishes

The last two did not come true

I only want my Daddy

So I hope they work for you

The little girls all smiled and blew

Seven candles out

She wished for her Daddy

But her heart was filled with doubt

~~*~~

They ate cake, and opened presents

With no light in her eyes

But she thanked them all sincerely

And she hugged them all goodbye

Her Mom had worked so hard to make

This day a special treat 

So she tried to hide her sorrow

And the wetness of her cheeks

She helped her Mama clean up

Before she headed up the stairs

Her Mama read a story

And together said their prayers

~~~*Lyrical Bridge*~~~

In the morning, she got to school 

And they filed into the gym

She saw another birthday cake

And the lights were slightly dimmed

She was stunned, and turned around

A boy whispered let him through

And past his tears, her Daddy cried 

Some wishes do come true

~~~*Chorus*~~~

I'm going to share my wishes

The last two did not come true

I only want my Daddy

So I hope they work for you

The little girls all smiled and blew

Seven candles out

She wished for her Daddy

But her heart was filled with doubt

~~*~~

~~~*Finale*~~~

Her Mama had recorded 

Everything she'd said

And her Daddy, he had watched it 

As she slept in her bed

Now she understood the smiles

She couldn't figure out

Everyone knew he'd be here 

To watch her blow these candles out

~~*~~

TeresaLynnJohnson
Copyright© 2015
Wrdspnr@aol.com

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