The Measure of a Man
what is the measure of a man
pockets full of gold
what we grasp with empty hands
a truth that's never told
mingled with the taste
of the bible and our spit
is a deep sense of hollowed waste
and the smell of righteous shit
darkly hidden by the words
below the preaching voice
what no one dares disturb
the slumber of lost choice
underneath the surface
of a practiced soul disguise
motives bound to curse us
a veil of holy lies
what is the measure of a man
what he does or doesn't earn
strike the match with vengeful hand
and we'll watch the conscience burn
Many Faces
i'm the king of disease
a broken god on bended knees
i own most of nothing
with the need to worship something
i'm a journeyman without rest
on the road of a salvaged quest
an earthly traveler without dreams
an angel of the sky with broken wings
i'm a soul with many faces
without a home in many places
a brother to everyone in this life
yet a lonesome child in terms of strife
i'm a heart of many colors
a bank of greed without the dollars
a soldier who hates his gun
a fugitive of pain who's always on the run
i'm a son of rebellious nature
a father of pride and stature
a lost sinner cast from heaven
the losing gambler without a seven
i'm the worn picture of a weathered man
the richest of men who holds nothing in his hand
i'm the songs of life that speak softly to your ear
i'm everything you hate and all you hold most dear
i am nothing without you
just a blind man with perfect view
the boy inside who's to afraid to be a man
who cannot cross the roads without a helping hand
i'm an empty vessel with a longing to be filled
a cup of foolish pride-always broken yet never spilled
i'm a portrait of time-future, present, past
the land of new beginnings with opportunity vast
i am the majesty of living
the gift that continues giving
i'm what allows your very breath
yet a powerless coward who moans the thought of death
i am infinity and the end
the dust of life still blowing in the wind
i am all that God has made and all he's thrown away
anything you need is what i'll be today
An Open Letter to God
why do we suffer
is it part of your plan
when the little ones cry
does the sound reach your ears
how can we approach you
you seem so distant, even unreal
we witness your splendor
still you are silent
created in your image
surely we fail the likeness
why is it we war and kill
often in proclomation of you
in the ocean of faith
we are a shallow stream
but you hold a measure of responsibility
creation demands a fathers guidance
grant us some answers
some semblance of acceptance
threatening to self destruct
where is your all-healing cure
we scream out your name
until our voices are mute
you appear so indifferent
from high on your throne
we're given a book
supposing your will
yet what is the truth
when man pens the word
so much to learn
though time can't decipher
why won't you listen
perhaps i can't hear
life is so fragile
it seems a humble request
for you to enlighten the fold
our chance at earthly salvation
we petition you now
to profer some peace
we beg your intercession
redemption is yours
Lady Everclear
steadfast yet anxious
sweat against skin
afraid of her sanctions
of where her neck has been
unholy yet sacred
blinded by eyes
can't see through her hatred
her veil of purposed lies
loyal yet divided
moved by her grace
she comes uninvited
inside my secret place
proud yet ashamed
cooled by her touch
my passions enflamed
by the soft feel of her crutch
empty yet full
need verses want
i feel the incessant pull
she is the liquid that haunts
