Rode Hard & Put Up Wet Simple Poetry, Complex Mind By John Michael Weber by Mike Weber at Inkitt

Chapter 1

I would like to start by thanking Facebook. You see, for those who may not partake in social media expeditions, Facebook has this “thing” that appears daily and reminds you of things your posted on the same day in previous years. That is where much of this book comes from. I honestly do not remember, nor did I save most of the following efforts in presenting my thoughts in rhyme. It is a great thing to read something you wrote and think, “What was I thinking?” or “This is actually pretty good!” Over time I think I finally compiled my years on Facebook and this book is the result. Hope you enjoy some of it if not all.

John Michael Weber
Author

Half Mast

No war, at this time, impales us,
We now, a fragile peace enjoy
Still there is deep grief and sorrow
When the flag, at half mast, we employ.

Overseas, on the seas, in the air
Pride, honor and duty abound.
Brothers at arms share the tears
While listening to taps lonely sound.

And to the families of the fallen,
Yours were heroes born.
Be proud of them, as they of you
As the world is with you in mourn.

Victory of death over life
In present as in future and past,
Our hearts go out to those and theirs
For which the flag flies at half-mast.

Dedicated to the crew and families of the USS Iowa.

Specialist John M. Weber

Camp Stanley, South Korea

Soldier

He is up before the sun

The day is not done until it’s done

It starts out with a five-mile run

His family is home, but he’s not alone

He’s a Soldier.

Left-left-left-right-left

Your mama was home when you left

“Your right!”

Your daddy was home when you left

“Your right!”

The kids, the dog, the cat, the hog, they all were there when you left

“Your right!”

You can hear that song echo the run

3rd “Herd” drilling before the sun

1st Platoon in line for chow

The whole Battalion synchronized somehow

They are Soldiers!

Overseas, on the seas and in the air

The Stars and Stripes are the cross they bear

They fight for God and Country too

They fight for me, they fight for you

They are Soldiers!

God Bless the Active Duty Soldiers

And God Bless the VETS!

And GOD BLESS THOSE WHO GAVE IT ALL!

Every time a Soldier goes down

Somewhere his brothers at arms gather round

And the Bugler blows as he’s laid in the ground

There is nothing so hollow as the echoes of Taps lonely sound.

Inside Out

“What you see on the outside, is not what’s goin’ on in me.

On the outside is nothin’ but the wreckage, of a man I used to be.

On the inside, I’m a baby, a child of God I’ll always be!

The scars represent a journey through the darkest of badlands,

And I am never to forget the fingers missing on my right hand

And the wounds on my heart are but scar tissue of a broken man.

But what is presented for all the world to see

Is not a representation of what God has done for me

My soul has been rekindled and grateful I will always be.

If God can take my pain and turn it into peace,

Then He can change anyone and His love will never cease

And with each new day I draw a breath my gratitude’s increased.

So for all those desperate hearts in the world tonight

I am calling out to the Lord my God to bring you to the light

I pray like me you surrender and give up the futile fight.

On paper I do not deserve the Blessings I received,

I lied, stole, cheated, robbed and my loved ones I deceived

Yet on God’s paper it is blank for my sins have been relieved.

And if I can change anyone can and in that you best believe.

Sinners & Saints

“Every cop is a criminal and all the sinners’ saints...”

Jagger and Richards made us look at ourselves

And the year was nineteen and sixty-eight.

We wanted to blame the messenger and dare not look in the mirror

Our own self desires, burned like fires

And today we are making it all the much clearer.

The Devil made me do it, holds no truth

It is our own sin that brings the evil to bear

Just look around and every day on the news

Hell is being unleashed everywhere.

Street fighting men sending the rest to seek shelter

Manson would call this prophesied by the Beatles in Helter Skelter.

We killed Kennedy we killed men of peace including King

We start the wars and believe we are right yet the war rages between black and between white While all the while singing as loud as we can Let Freedom Ring!

So if you meet me understand I need no sympathy nor courtesy do I demand I wish only to look at the man in the mirror and know he’s doing the best that he can.

War, children, is no longer just a shout away

It is alive and prospering in our lives every day.

Love, however, is still but a kiss away

And once the love arrives I pray it will stay.

All we need do is the two Greatest commands

Honor God with all our hearts drop our weapons, love our neighbor and hold his hand.

As it was in the beginning with the very first sin

Hatred will always lose,

And love eventually wins.

Texas Promise Land

I have seen the train gonna carry me home

North bound on the railroad tracks

Destination unknown

When will it return

Ain’t nobody knows

But I’m gonna be ready

For that long slow ride home.

I’m goin’ to Heaven On a south bound train

Down the railroad tracks to Texas I’ll be feeling no pain

I have been to Hell

And I’m one rode hard man

But they’ll lay me down in Texas

That’s my promise land.

My life has been spent just south of happiness road

But with help and much hope, I’ve carried the load

Now the load has been lessened I know my destiny

The train bound for Texas Will set my soul free

I’m going to heaven on a south bound train

And when I cross the Red River I’ll be feeling no pain

The Lord snatched me from hell and I am one broken man

But they’ll lay me down gently

In my promised land.

Now I’ve seen things, through a new pair of eyes

Answers have been given to the questions of why

My heart ain’t as heavy as it used to be

And the Angels of Mercy, are waiting for me

I’m going to heaven and it won’t be so long

Gonna lay down my burdens and fill my heart with a song.

They’ll put me down easy in rich Texas soil

I’ll enjoy the peace and serenity, for a lifetime I’ve toiled.

Texas, my Texas, Oh Lord take me home

David Bowie

Not Such an Oddity to the Space in My Head

In 1972, we were invaded by Ziggy

A male super rocker looking a whole lot like Twiggy

He took to the farthest reach of the stars

Just him and a whole lot of spiders from Mars.

He knew somehow my face was always a mess

He knew about my ludes and never enough but enough wasn’t the test

How could he know about all of the rest

The rebel in me was the utmost of clueless.

He knew Major Tom and the loneliness of space

He took me to alleys, and bars and was my company in my weird place.

He told me long before 1984

I would experience my own brand of unleashed dogs of war.

He got older and I did too

But when it comes to his genius he was never ever through.

He got on Soul Train bridging a divide

That once had been a chasm centuries wide.

You will be missed but on me have no pity

I can always download my favorite Suffragette City.

And of Heroes you sang but a hero you were

You helped me a lot when my young life was a blur.

Rest in Peace if you can Mr., Jones

I hope your genius might leave you alone.

And you now reside in heaven, the ultimate space you explored.

And you left a legacy and by many generations you will be forever adored.

Bridges Crossed

I fear I have burned a bridge,

Mayhap gone too far

Scraped all the honey

From the bottom of the jar

But still tonight

Someone drunk leaves a bar

And no one stops him

From driving that car.

And today a junkie

Will add a new scar

And his arm looks decorated

Lined like combat bars.

A mom and dad

Will bury their child

And recall when they were little

So meek, so mild

And they’ll feel guilt

Their son or daughter went wild

And they will seek comfort

But remain forever beguiled.

So when we seek money

We are not seeking wealth

We are trying to restore or maintain

Someone’s mental health

So as you read this think

Don’t put us on a shelf

Try and think of those who suffer

They cannot win by themselves.

Twas Some Night…

One of those nights before Christmas

And all through my apartments,

Not a creature was quiet

Too many young rowdy tenants!

The stockings weren’t hung

No fireplace and don’t care.

I was hoping my pizza

Soon would be there.

When out on the lawn

I swear gunshots were fired

But I didn’t get up to confirm

I was just way too tired.

There’s no snow here at all

But Christmas brings rain

We have had so much lately

It has nowhere to drain.

I finally arose, went and

Threw open the door

Certain I would see

A dead body for sure

Imagine my surprise

Surmise what glee

When there was a beautiful female

At the door looking at me.

Her hair was brunette

Her eyes the deepest of brown

She asked if I was alright

Cause I had fallen right down.

Once again upstanding

Solid ground neath my feet

All I could muster was

“Mam you look neat!”

She smiled and said thank you

And gave me a wink

I had to think of my last shower

And pray I didn’t stink.

I thought a friend may have hired

One of those candy gram strippers

Which would have been bad

I had no money to tip her.

Twas then I noticed

Her right hand held something high

And like a fool I remembered

That must be my pizza pie.

I sheepishly grinned and

Lowered my head down Mumbled,

“I’ll be right back”

Praying my wallet could be found.

I paid her, yes and tipped her

And bid her good bye.

She smiled and said “Merry Christmas, Enjoy that warm pizza pie!”

I hated to see her go

But watching her leave wasn’t bad

And I promised myself to be happy

Even though I leaned toward sad.

I heard her stereo blasting Adele

As she drove out of sight

And I said a little prayer to God

To keep her safe all the night.

Once settled back into My worn, favorite chair

Had a big slice of pizza

Flipping channels to see what was on the air,

I found my favorite,

It’s a Wonderful Life

I thanked God for the pizza as I took the first bite

And realized just how blessed I am

On this Christmas, the Holiest of nights!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, don’t forget the pizza!

Sad Christmas

I have watched every Christmas movie

Sang every Christmas song,

I have all the Christmas candles lit

Yet everything feels so wrong.

It’s a wonderful life I know that’s true for me

My sadness is for desperate hearts And broken families.

My sadness is for junkies

And all the homeless people near and far

My sadness is for lonely men and women

Who will spend Christmas at a bar.

My sadness is for loss of hope

For those who have tried everything and feel lost.

My sadness is that bad is done

Without knowing what it costs.

I wish that I could do much more

Sit and talk with all of them.

I’d tell them all of Goodwill to men

Born with the Savior in Bethlehem.

I would share that I was broken

And any hope for me was thin

I would tell them how Jesus my Lord

Saved me from a life of sin.

I would hug them each and every one,

I would share my tears no doubt.

I would tell them that I know the Way

If they are looking for a way out.

What I can do is be with my family

And hold them all so tight.

And get them all to pray with me

For all desperate hearts on Christmas night.

Amen.

Change

In a world that is so traumatized

We can barely feel a thing

Where all we see day to day

Seems to be pain and misery

And faith has been lost

And much doubt took its place

And we wonder why God Almighty

Won’t reach down and save the human race.

It’s not God we should be blaming

Our anger is not for Him

We know we’ve taken things too far

And we have surrendered all to sin.

We have turned our lives over

We all just live in fear

And I swear sometimes when all alone

I can feel my Father’s tears.

So when I woke up on this morning

I didn’t watch the news

I went out on the back porch

And smelled the morning dew.

I took a sip of coffee

And took in the backyard tree

And I thanked God for these simple gifts

Right in front of me to see.

So the next time I feel lost

The next time I feel fear

The next tragedy

I will not be numbed

I will cry those mournful tears.

And instead of blaming God

Or condemning bad company

I will change the world as much as I can

And the change begins with me.

Be Thee

The world has some problems

No one can deny

Racism, Bigotry, Judgment

Looking us dead in our eyes

People fear to be who they are

Because it’s not politically correct

And the freedom is being challenged

Of every race, creed and sect.

Don’t let the world make you settle

For less than all you need to be.

Fear not what others think of you

They may not understand what they see.

It takes courage just to be ourselves

In what is supposed to be the land of the free

So whatever else you ever do

Be true to being what God created and intended thee to be.

Christmas Box

John Michael Weber

Digging through a box of memories Found Christmas poem or two or three One was about good old St Nicholas, And one about a Christmas tree.

I kept on digging and reading and smiling Then I found an envelope as the poems were a piling The letter still sealed was old And had a trim that was colored gold.

I scratched my head and began to ponder Where did this come from? I just had to wonder. My hands, it seemed, had a slight little tremble The handwriting looked so clean and perfect and nimble.

I needed a letter opener, but I had not one And didn’t want to inflict any damage that could not be undone. A dilemma was this of great despair There were no sharpened objects anywhere.

As if by magic, no, magic it was for sure The envelope opened leaving all parchment pure. Inside was a letter, folded, one page And there was no tarnish because of its age.

I gently released the paper from its confines And unfolded it revealing the handwritten lines. It was from an old lover, who loved me no more And for a moment I noticed my heart getting sore.

Hesitantly I read the words on the page Recalling that once we were lovingly engaged. Tears came to my eyes but I just had to read Even if once again my heart was to bleed.

Dear Lover,

Merry Christmas wherever you are

You know you always seemed so bright as a star.

I put this letter where I knew it would someday be found

For I was leaving you and knew we could no longer be bound.

I owe you a note to explain if I can

How a woman could leave such a committed, good man

Truth is I really do not seem to know.

I just know for sure that I really must go.

I will spare you cliché’s and not dishonor your love that way

I will simply say that believe me I love you but cannot stay.

I want so much for you to shine as you always do

What God has in store will be awesome for you

Who knows where we will be in a few years or a while

Please never lose that big winning smile.

I have to close now my lover for the tears burn my eyes

But Merry Christmas to you and God keep you as time flies.

Keep this letter and someday perhaps you can read it to me

We can never say never, for we don’t know what God sees.

Be at peace on the Holiest of nights,

In my heart of hearts I will always hold you so tight.

Blessings,

Your love

I closed up the letter, did so with a smile And realized my heart hadn’t hurt in awhile. Quite a gift that God gave me that night, To see the letter in my Christmas box was really a sight.

I placed her words in the bottom of my box. but held them also in my heart And though it didn’t keep me from missing her complete, it was a really good place for a heart to start.

But then That’s Just Me
by
John Michael Weber.

I have spent nights not sleeping,
In the sleaziest of motels.
Spent a few nights
In Hyatt’s with a wonderful view.
I have had lots of meals,
Right out of dumpsters.
And I have eaten at some
4 star restaurants too.

I walked the streets,
Of some very fine cities.
Spent lots of time
In the countryside’s too.
I have served my country
Overseas with great pride.
Been shot at when I got home twice
For things I used to do.

I have stood
Face to face with the devil.
Did his bidding
To get a shot of dope or two.
But I have been held
By the Lord God Sweet Jesus!
Every time I was lost,
He found me it’s true.

In my life
I have lived good and evil.
Seen death on my doorstep,
Just pass on through.
But when all has been said,
When all has been done,
It was my Lord Jesus Christ
That gave me life made anew!

But then that’s just me,
What about your own story?
What about sharing the things you’ve been through?
What about how
Every time hope seemed long gone
Won’t ya tell me, please tell me
How God lifted you!

Footwork
by
John Michael Weber

I asked the Lord to heal my ills
He said go to the doctor’s place.
I asked the Lord to help with bills,
He put a budget manager in my face.

I pleaded God send me a mate,
He said figure out what I did wrong with the last.
I begged the Lord don’t make me wait,
He told me to slow my roll don’t go so fast.

I asked God when will my cup run over,
He said when you use a smaller cup.
I asked the Lord when will I find peace,
He said when I quit looking down and looked up.

I asked God what is this all about,
He shook his head and then he said quit being such a jerk
I’ll give you all you’ll ever need and more, you need not doubt
And all you have to do, Michael my boy, is just a little bit of footwork!

Quit Drinkin

So out of the blue I just started thinkin,
How much better life is since I quit drinkin!
I used to go to jail without even blinkin
And only one shirt on your back ends up stinkin’
I stayed so drunk I knew not that I was sinkin,
Yea for me life’s a little better since i quit drinkin!

I wake up now I don’t come to,
Didn’t get beat up last night so I ain’t black and blue.
I remember the next day all the things I do
No drinks are needed to feel like I fit with you
I don’t do things that make people want to sue
Life’s a whole lot better now that its minus all the brew.

The moral of this rhyme is simple don’t you think
If alcohol quits being magical then i probably shouldn’t drink!

JMW

Experts
by
John Michael Weber

Experts can be found wherever you go
It’s amazing how many are in the know.
The world abounds with intellectual scholars
There is even experts on how to hog holler.

Wanta talk fishing, don’t get me started
Wanna talk politics it’s going to cost a few dollars.
Wanta talk religion stay away from Bill Mahr
He’s an expert on every topic under the stars.

Speaking of stars, well they’re all smart too
Depending on which tabloid you believe to be true.
Nobel prizes are handed out like candy;
Auto mechanics need a masters now to be handy.

It is nice to know we are all so intelligent
Spending all the taxes not knowing where the money went.
Knowing for sure that something must change
But we take the same mess, mix it up and rearrange.

And what about loving our neighbor, is that not wise
Or perhaps we’ve forgotten that hate brings demise.
It was kind of cool when God was smarter people
And now you must look hard to even find a church steeple.

I must admit I feel a little dumb
I have thought so hard my mind became numb.
So I think, as an expert, I will resign
And leave all the intellect to my Lord who is Divine!

Pain

Good morning pain, as usual, you are right on time!

Haven’t even shaken last night’s hurt

from this beat up brain of mine.

I know, I know, what do you care?

You are forever persistent and wherever I am,

so you are there.

Not sure when I picked you up and can’t recall how

No sense looking back I guess,

just gotta deal with you now.

Do you give the rest of this bunch as much attention as me?

Cause I am wondering how they’re still sleeping with you and your friend misery.

I know you think you’ve got me beat today

Cause I don’t have any money to put you away.

So go ahead and take your shots while I have no defense

Cause I am just one shot away from the world making sense

I’ll find heroin you know, I will find him someway

Then you will run like the devil and I’ll live to fight you another day.

How Much More Lord? by John Michael Weber

I don’t want to question Lord but now I feel I must. How much more can we handle, how soon will we combust? How deeply will you allow Lucifer To infiltrate our souls? Free will is failing miserably No doubt mankind will implode.

Each time a human kills a human Each time a bomb takes out a village Each time a child or adult gets raped Or a store gets robbed and pillaged.

Each time we become more numb, Each time another anger is raged, Each time we suffer one more tragedy The hounds of Hell become uncaged.

I know Lord you made our hearts Innately good and pure And I see that Lord as the world unites As we try loving victims, their sufferings to cure.

I know too Lord that you must know Just how much we can endure. I will never understand the hatred here And that I can say for sure.

So now dear Lord all I can do Is pray and put my trust in you. I am glad your hands are awesome and huge For you have many hearts to touch tonight With your comfort and refuge.

I pray dear Lord for every desperate heart on Earth. I pray for friends and loved ones I pray for enemies, that they get rebirth. I pray for cancer victims and for addicts and homeless too I pray your love will touch our hearts And that we all find love for one another true.

We are all growing tired my Lord, We are close to loss of hope The things we do to ease the pain Are no longer allowing us to cope.

So I come to you head down on bended knees And pray for all my neighbors Your love endures and so I pray That my belief in that shall never waver.

In the Morning
by JMW

Early in the morning
While I’m still in bed
When my eyes are open
I thank the Lord that I’m not dead.

I ask him to stay with me
All the live long day
To move me out of danger
When I get in my way.

To deliver me from evil
For evil can well entice
And if the Lord’s not with me
I’ll give into every vice.

To be kind to my neighbor
Even when he’s not so kind to me
And ask that God touch troubled hearts
And that those blind may finally see.

Then I feel fully armored
Cause I donned the clothing of my Lord
Fully prepared to face the day
And what waits outside my door.

What a Woman Means
by
John Michael Weber

There some things a man would like to never hear
Especially from a woman that he holds so dear
The mere mention of the phrases brings on trembling fear
And I thought I would translate a few for all of you here.

“It’s not you, it’s me”
No clearer rejection could there ever be
For it translates the opposite when she says it to me
For it truly is not her, but it is really thee.

“I am not looking for a relationship right now…”
When a man hears this he understands somehow
That what she means is she would love to love but not love you, take a bow
You have just figured out what she meant, how ya likin her now?

“We can still be friends…”
Ahh,, the puzzle never really ends
In “womaneze” she just told you your heart will surely mend
But not with her around, that’s the message she sends.

So men worry not I assure you are not alone,
It is dangerous travels into the female twilight zone
There is always a signpost up ahead clearly shown
But you become blinded by your heart that she owns.

Love can be a burning fire, or as cold as ice sometimes
Love has been written down in prose and poetic rhymes
A women is truly a rose with many stems and vines
Be careful of the thorns my friends, they will stick you every time.

Appreciation
by
JMW

Do you think we’d enjoy the sun as much
If we never felt the rain?
Would we embrace our peaceful days
Without the days of pain?

Would we enjoy laughter
If not for crying tears?
And would we know of courage
If we never knew those fears?

It is really a magical, awesome plan
And one not within the creativity of man
How God knew to give us synergistic opposites
How he knew exactly would and would not fit.

I thank the Lord for all the trials
For I can now embrace each smile
I thank the Lord allowing my blindness
So that now I see and see with kindness.

Do you think we would be appreciative
Without God who gives us all He gives
I think I truly do appreciate
My God who’s good, my God who’s great!

The Apartment
by
John Michael Weber

The boxes are all packed and stacked
All the cabinets are now stripped bare.
No paintings or pictures grace the walls
No family photos anywhere.

The couch is now the bed for tonight
One TV stands alone
My four legged companion knows something is up
She seems to know we’re on our own.

This apartment bred some memories
Though the stay here was short lived
I can laugh at some and cry at some
And a hollow echo is all it gives.

God Bless this Apartment
Make it a home for the next folks that dwell here
For we will be down the road in very short order
But our time here, I pray that we hold dear.

Wilder Side
by
JMW

I am here in Walker County Texas
Home of the Huntsville Prison Wall
But that really don’t bother me much
I got no warrants in Walker County at all.

Across from the courthouse is the Texan Café
An icon of Huntsville for sure
And sometimes I go for the blue plate special
And sometimes soup or chili dejour.

Huntsville is quiet right now
The University is on winter break
And I’m thinking to myself I have
Had about all the peace and quiet I can take.

And the wilder side of cries out
Echoes from deep in my soul
Telling me to grab my meager belongings
Load the car up and just hit the road.
Head for the next new horizon
Wherever it leads to just go.
The wilder side of me still lingers in me
Telling me that I’m still not that old.
I sit on my front porch reliving my youth
How invincible I seemed to be
And I ponder what would it be like right now
To follow the wild side of me.

But my grandkids are coming over today
Reminding me that I have tamed my wild side
But sometimes at night, when I am alone
I long for the days of that youthful wild ride.

I’m here in Walker County Texas
And truth is I ain’t goin’ nowhere
The wilder side of me cost me many a pain
And to hurt anyone now I don’t dare.
So I think I’ll go to the Texan Café
Have a late breakfast and good company
And enjoy my life and the way it is now
And lay to rest the wilder side of me.

BeautifullyBroken
by
John Michael Weber

The world is broken to pieces it seems
Broken hearts, broken people that have broken dreams
Addictions, afflictions and subpar conditions
Cancer and aids and diseases that baffle clinicians.

How can beauty be found in a world so torn down,
With countries warring and when mayhem abounds?
When crime and chaos and poverty do thrive
How can we expect to thank God we’re alive?

The beauty is in us as we piece back what is broken
The hand that lifts up a neighbor and with prayers unspoken
The beauty we find when we forgive one another,
The beauty is found when we feed a hungry sister or brother.

The beauty we see in the circle of life,
When ones prosperity helps another in strive.
When an elderly person in good company dies,
Down the hall a baby is born and heard are their cries.

Our brokenness bonds us and we are unified,
Hand in hand we trudge the road together side by side.
The beauty of a hug or a smile for no reason,
We are in this together from season to season.

The beauty of the Lord herding back one lost sheep,
The beauty of the lost piece making the puzzle complete.
Being broken only means that we need to be healed,
And when Christ died on the Cross that deal was sealed.

So the next time I see a broken woman or man,
I will pity them not, I will reach out my hand.
I will discover the beauty in the brokenness of my brother
And in the brokenness, beauty will abound, if we love one another!

Thank You Lord

Thank you Lord for a beautiful sunrise over the bay.
Thank you also for a string of days so gray.
A greater appreciation I now have for the sun
I am grateful for sunny days each and every one.
Thank you Lord, for last night I felt pretty bad.
But you healed me Lord and this morning I am oh, so glad.
For health I have and will not for granted take it anymore
I don’t think I would appreciate strong muscles if now and again they didn’t get sore.
Thank you Lord for sharing this morning with me.
It is good Lord, that you opened my eyes to see.
I praise you Lord and await your beck and call
And I hope so greatly Lord, that you touch hearts of everyone, one and all!

Politician
by
John Michael Weber

Politicians, word magicians
Spinning way out of bounds it is just all wrong.
Help the poor, they understand what it’s like
Yet they have more money than the day is long.

Pundits left and pundit’s right
Closest thing to middle media is found with BBC.
O’Reilly says apples, Maddow says oranges
And it is apparent they are clueless to reality.

How many candidates had a car repo’d
How many struggled even once to make ends meet?
How many of them ever paid a red notice
Before they lost all their utilities?

Eat the Rich, Steven Tyler makes sense.
Eat the rich, take one bite now come back for more.
How many politicians that made president
Ever drove a hoopty with balled tires on the way to a dollar store?

Now it’s ok if you are rich
And I salute you and wish you blessings and God’s Grace.
Just don’t pretend you know what it’s like
For someone that has a little trouble putting food on their family’s plates.

Show me a blue collar candidate
And I will show you someone with understanding.
The present candidate’s biggest worry
Is where their private jet might be landing.

I would hope someday that I’d be rich
But it wouldn’t do me personally any good.
I would keep what I need give the rest to those in need
As all the candidates think it but never do.

So 4 years later we still need change
But not a change for the sake of a change.
We need a change, dear ones because our priorities
Have the need to be seriously rearranged.

My name is John Michael Weber
I am no candidate nor have any influence at all.
But I approve this piece of rhyming rant
I kind of have to approve because I did write it after all.

Fantasy
by
John Michael Weber

We think for sure it would be so cool
To live out all our fantasies.
But I propose it would not be good at all
When imagination becomes fact, all that is left is insanity.

Bowie dreamed about spiders from Mars
And put it down in words and melodies.
Zepplin imagined a heavenly stairway
And Paige took us there on a magical guitar breeze.

Kubrick disturbed us with Clockwork Orange
From the warped fantasies of a writer named Burgess.
Timothy Leary got way to close
As he opened our minds so wide that some still distress.

There is no place to challenge
Once all fantasies have been fulfilled.
So think twice before living them out
Some fields are best left undrilled.

Junkie
by
John Michael Weber

So deep and dark runs the bitter pain
Origin a secret cannot explain
Search and search no one to blame
But the hurts so bad its mother lovin’ insane!

In the recesses of your mind you hide
But you know it’s still only you inside
A loneliness caves you and you cannot abide
You just desperately want off of this terrible ride

Knocked to your knees, a crushing blow
Unbelieving just how low you can go
Like the worst freakin’ horrible freak show
Balled up in a corner and the world doesn’t know.

Just one shot will fix you…
Right
Just one more I promise…
Right
Gotta have it or die…
Yeah right
Then I’ll get help…
Right, right!

One more shot will do ya
Get ya singin hallelujah
Gotta have it right now, just can’t wait
Load up the needle don’t hesitate
The vein is found
The junkie goes down
His heart jumps one final round
Now serenity and peace doth abound.

No more pain for the child
He’s returned to meek and mild
Somewhere someone will surely mourn
And somewhere, today, another junkie is born.

One taken by the Lord
One given by the Lord
As it was, is and always will.
Amen, Amen, Amen!

Lord Humble Me
by
John Michael Weber

Oh Lord it’s easy to be humble
When your begging for money each day
I can’t wait to win me the lotto
Cause I keep pushing donors away

I’m always asking for money
But the money I seek ain’t for me
It’s for all those hearts that are desperate
Who are blinded by drugs and can’t see.

Some days are better than others
Sometimes it’s a bottomless pit!
But I just cannot give up on the faith and the hope
Cause God doesn’t want me to quit!

Oh Lord you teach me humility
And I am working on losing my fears
But Lord some days it is so hard to drive on
But you constantly tell me “My son trust me, persevere!”

Moderation
by
John Michael Weber

Since before the Bible, alcohol was deemed to be a lovely spirit
Ale and wine served all the time were good in moderation.
But drunkards even then were frowned upon by all
One should not partake to the point of inebriation.

So moderation became the guide but who measured the amount
Who drew the line on which glass of wine should never pass the lips
My guess is that it wasn’t a bartender that set the scales
For that would sorely lessen their gratuitous tips.

One person’s moderation might be one glass or two
While another considers moderation stopping one shot short of last call
And the law now has moderation set so low
You’d think the goal was to arrest them all.

I deny not the fact that for those who partake just to ease into a closing of day
Will find comfort and solace in the fermented hops and grapes and grains
In the old days moderation was from God and the Devil caused the drunk
And today many feel the same for moderation is very cool while drunk still draws disdain.

What if one day a test is developed that can point, for sure, to certain child before their birth
That if he/she ever takes a sip they will no doubt become an addict of drink and drugs
What then would we do differently?
What could we do differently than we do now?
He asks and then just shrugs.

Wild

Horses

John Michael Weber

Wild horses dragged another one away,

Laid him to rest, no pain.

He did not kick, he did not scream

And the needle never left his vein.

Wild horses shortened a young man’s earthly stay.

Put him down easy to eternal rest.

He knew not his potential or how worthy he was,

He never dreamed of obtaining his best.

Wild horses caused a family to mourn,

And friends to wonder out loud, why?

Another cross, one more head stone

And many’s the tear they will cry.

I pray for the peace of this young lost soul,

I pray that his family can somehow survive.

I pray no more wild horses drag anyone away,

Let us love and embrace the young addicts alive.

Wild horses took one I knew away;

I find death not to be our friend.

God’s will, I think not, for love is our God,

As was in the beginning, is now and in the end

12 Steps to Heaven

Thought for Today
JMWeber

In a pretty good mood and life is kinda’ cool,
I’m in a zone of simplicity, just living the golden rule
Wake up and thank the Lord
Know that I am really content, when I think that I am bored.

Spent years in bondage but Jesus set me free,
Got me through all twelve steps, when I always stopped at three,
AA, NA, CDA no matter what the scholars say
The truth is they showed me the way, to many, many brighter days.

Trust God, clean house, help others
Simple suggestions that have helped fathers, mothers, sisters, sons, daughters and brothers.
One day at a time, one step at a time, put s life in focus with reason and rhyme.
On the stairway you learn all about you
At the top you learn about God who pulled you through.

The stairway to heaven can be scary at times
Don’t look down as you make that upward climb
What you did before doesn’t have to matter
For on this set of steps, people who love you hold the ladder.

The twelve steps of AA
Gave me a brand new day,
Taught me the truth and the way
Now I share what God has done for me, in hopes that one life can be swayed.

Veteran
by
JMW,

As the Flag was lowered on Veterans Day
The Nation’s Capital was cold, wet and gray
And I thought perhaps it should be that way
In honor of those who serve now and in past days.

I was reminded of a cold lonely night
I was in Korea on “Hot Status” and I observed a wonderful sight
I saw what I believed to be an enemy flight
But it was a shooting star, crossing the horizon, with a tail as big as a kite.

I thought of home and my girls safely tucked in
My wife taking care of them, knowing I’d be home, but not knowing when
And I cried just a bit, as much as a soldier can cry with no chagrin
And I prayed God for both sides of the DMZ, lay down arms, so that both sides could win.

Then today when I thought what miserable weather
I remembered cold Korea and how my platoon always stuck together
To protect our families, keep their worries light as a feather
Then I smiled and thanked God and my day got much better.

Taps is playing right about now
There are troops overseas, sticking together, knowing it will soon be over somehow
Until that day they will do as duty calls and make us all proud
And under the Stars and Stripes tonight, I thank God duly, outloud.

It is Finished

Thought for Today

The I’s are dotted all T’s are crossed
The day was long, but finally, it is finished
Emotionally drained and physically depleted
So tired I wonder how I become so diminished.

Then I lay me down, review my day,
and talk to the Lord my Savior.
I can tell him I am tired and he understands
Then look at the day, all actions and behavior.

He talks to me on how I did this or that
And sometimes recommends a change.
I say thank you Lord, stretch out full length
and my pillow gets rearranged.

I say good night after thanking the Lord
For the good things as well as the trials.
I thank him for my daughters I hold so close
Though we are separated by miles.

And then I remember what Jesus did
When I think I am so diminished
He went to the Cross for me you see
And then he simply said,
“It is Finished.”

Look back, Look Forward
JMW

I have seen much better days
But Lord knows I have seen much worse.
Seen things that were wonderful
Seen friends hauled off in a hearse.

Had times of wonderful joy
Been horrified by things I have done.
Laughed so loud I thought I’d die
Cried tears at times like rivers run.

Look back with fondness
The Lord has brought you through.
Look forward in wonder
Of what God has next for you.

I have had a life and I cannot complain
And looking back don’t hurt no more.
Moments of clarity and some moments blocked out
But nothing’s been boring for sure.

Days and days spent in a numbing haze
And the happy times of my youth,
Combined to make the whole of me
And that is just alright with me and that’s the truth.

Times of sadness of friends I have lost
And the joy of a new born baby’s cry.
And long ago I lost the need
To know the reasons why.

Look back at mercy
And know it came from heaven above.
Look ahead to better times
As you come to recognize God’s love.

I have had a life and I am grateful
And looking back can make me smile.
And when I smile my heart smiles too
And that carries me for miles.

Be the Light
JMW

It is easy to fall into the darkness
When the world makes it seem so right
Justified temptation, gives way to lurid sensations
And Satan is the ruler of the night
Sometimes it takes much courage
And a call to God with all your might
To stand alone against the darkness
And to overcome and be the light.

Sex and drugs and violence
All wrong glorified over right
More is better, better is more
Abusing everything in sight
Have we forgotten the flood or Sodom and Gomorrah
Or the prophetic tribulation plight?
Look to heaven, look there now
And look to be the light.

Jesus was the light
He passed it on to us you know
That we may carry His love
And have the light continue its glow
Shine it must, so in God we trust
To give us the strength to fight
Against all the madness and all of the darkness
And to forever, be the light.

Another Addict’s Tale

Her eyes told the whole story
Her tears could fill a flask
I knew where she had been and done
I didn’t need to ask.

But ask I did just in case
She needed a compassionate ear
And then she told me her whole story
Of pain and misery and fear.

I said it would get better
And she said that I should know
For even after years without dope
My misery, too, still shows.

We smiled a knowing smile
Kindred spirits, with a common goal
To give up our lives to God
That He may save our soul.

Heavenly Reminder

Sometimes I need to remember
Life on Earth is but a chapter,
And that eternity is really a long, long time
And it gets great beyond the Rapture.

I get caught up, I go to work
And try to always do my best
And sometimes work comes home with me
And invades my time for rest.

I love when life’s abundant
And God likes that when it happens too
But I must remember at the end, there is no end
For with Christ I am never through.

So I jot down this little note
And I’ll mark it in a binder
And when I think life is a little tough
This can be a Heavenly reminder.

Alone, No But…

I was on my computer doing the Facebook thing
And no one was there
No chatters, no posts, no pokes to be found
No friends online anywhere.

Somehow I felt so all alone,
It’s a scary thing when you think about it
I’d probably be OK without my computer
But today I seriously doubt it…

But when no one’s online I get a
feeling, a feeling that’s rather eery
I wonder where everyone is then realize their probably out
And that makes me feel a little dreary

What am I missing, I think to myself
And when I think alone, I can voice it out loud
And I ask myself why am I home
Why am I not following the crowd.

Woe is me it has come down to this
Even in cyberspace I need friends
But then again, while I am typing this
I am not truly alone by the time the evening ends.

I spend time with My Lord before
my head hits my soft pillow
And if I listen to God, in the silence
I hear sweet whisper willows.

In the lap of my Savior I am never alone
I feel Him with me when I recognize the need
I don’t have to cry out, or beg or bargain
For the Lord knows me and I need only to ask, not plead.

Have to check myself
Now and again
And remind myself that the computer
Is not my true friend.

Thank you Lord for checking
In on me to see that I am alright
And thanks for allowing this confession
For tonight I will sleep easier, good night.

Corpus
by
John Michael Weber

One rainy summer night on the Gulf Coast of Texas
I found myself still in Corpus Christi
On Leopard Street, in the heart of a jungle,
The rain kept falling not heavy but a damned sight misty.

As was my habit of late I needed beer
No dope to be found so I walked into the local bar
No diversity to be found at this hole in the wall
You’re either for them or against them at the club called Chances R.

I ordered a Lone Star from a barmaid named Sandy
And inquired of the whereabouts that night of a woman named Kim.
She said her old man was back from a shutdown
And as far as I know, she is out somewhere with him.

Kim was a beauty but as dark as the night
She made no mystery of her power, she was Kim with a capital K.
She was the downright Queen of the Leopard Street Jungle
No matter what the circumstances, Kim was having her way.

In the middle of my second beer Sandy answered the phone,
She looked at me with sudden surprise and said this call’s for you.
On the other end a chaotic voice riddled with fear
Pleaded for help right now and I knew what I must do.

Paid for the beers and Sandy said be careful
That old man of Kim’s is one nasty dude
I left the bar and drove through the coastline of Texas
In the midst of refineries that made Texas crude.

The rain went from misty to a level that annoys
As I pulled into the parking lot of a no-tell motel.
With only a locking bladed knife and a whole lot of bluff
I got out of my car and stared straight into hell.

Kim was screaming profanities; some new to me
As she struggled to break free from her captor to no avail.
The man had 10 inches and 50 lbs heavier than me
But I flicked out my blade and for a split second, the man’s face went white pale.

He said, “Hey dude, what’s with the knife?”
And like in a movie I adopted my role
I said, “Cause I am tired of getting my ass kicked,
So you need to let Kim go!”

He paused and looked quite amazed
But then finally let Kim go free.
She ran to my arms as her old man
Walked into the rainy night as slowly he fleed.

One rainy summer night on the Gulf Coast of Texas
I was able to rescue a queen from her chains
I don’t think these days too much about Kim
I only remember every time that it rains.

Video

God shows me a video nearly every single day
Must be loaded in my heart and mind and God just pushes play.
The first scene I am grateful, for the coffee and the car
And that I am on my way to work, not on my way home from a bar.

Second scene I sign in, at the rehab where I’m employed
As the first of the clients come downstairs agitated and annoyed.
I smile and say good morning and they just nod their weary head,
Not realizing just quite yet how close they came to dead.

Scene three brings the first, of five that day we’ll do our best to intake
And the fear and pain in their eyes, screams their sure this is a mistake.
Some so broken it’s hard for them to even empty, their already empty pockets
Some so torn apart their eyes barely stay within their sockets.

Scene four is usually a happy one for someone is ready to embark
On the journey outside the rehab, some sincere, some are a lark.
Scene six, I drive 40 miles to another job I hold
At this one I try to take the young invincible teens and fit them to some mold.

They are so very smart, even with the drugs they do, day by day
And their immune to consultation of where they may end up, if they never change their ways.
Hope still springs in these young minds, but it’s getting buried deeper by the minute,
And one thing I know for sure about addiction is you don’t plan it, you end up in it.

On a good day scene 6 will take me home to reflect upon Gods video
Reminding me that all I am is one cowboy in God’s Rodeo.
Many more are needed you see, there’s not enough cowboys in all the cities and towns
And the insurance companies change language everyday, in Gods Rodeo they are the clowns.

But try we must and try we do and we hope and pray and wish
And if one shoots into a pond long enough, no doubt, he’s bound to kill a fish.
The last scene is wrapping up and now it’s just me and my Savior
As the credits role I see a time or two where I could improve on my behavior.

Then comes the part where the credits say Produced and Directed by
And it comes real clear this video does, that the names for those are the Utmost on High.

The End

Thought for Today

I heard a speaker at a meeting, a meeting for NA
He was profound, his message not watered down, he had a lot to say.
He spoke of church and of God but sadly when he had to say, what he needed to say
He felt not comfortable in a church, to speak of pain and drugs and such and therefore he told the truth to those in NA.

I got to thinking how sad it is and how our church message is cool and rather handy.
But when push comes to shove, we sometimes take tough things from above,
and spin them into cotton candy.
I have told my story to some church folk and it never seems to be the same
for if I told the church, the things I tell fellow junkies, I would be deemed insane.

Don’t get me wrong I love my church and all the people there
and for their sake, if not my own I just sugar coat what I share.
When I want to get downright dirty, meaning when I need to tell the bitter truth
I find it better to share with those who are less inclined to find me totally uncouth.

That being said I know God listens and isn’t that the point
It is not necessary to give those in church, details that might make them out of joint.
Still I cannot help comparing the Pharisees and Cotton Candy
When I walk in church and it makes you feel as though you are missing what makes everyone’s life seem so dandy.

So God allowed us AA, NA, CA and all the programs for us users
that we might find him and return to church not feeling like such losers.
As my sponsor says and it’s without sugar and perhaps just a little crass,
“I go to church to save my soul and to AA to save my ass.”

TGIF Pitiful Poetry

Thought for Today

I love the way Isaiah, can shout a prophecy
He did it so proficiently, that scholars claim him to be three
There was the first Isaiah, who stood up against all tyrannical kings
The second was a musical wonder who wrote of fields, valleys and the way a bird would sing.

The third Isaiah, which was a disciple to the prophet, just mimicked one and two
No matter, the book you see, is a good read through and through
But scholars figure these things out and it can be a tad confusing
But if your faith in God is strong, the whole thing is quite amusing.

Say what you want, say whatever is in your will
But I say be he one or three, he’s my favorite prophet still
He stood for the little guy, folks like you and me
He told us how Christ would suffer and hang upon a tree.

So perhaps a book so good as the one we call Isaiah
Might just take three people to write, I don’t know, what say ya’
One or three don’t matter to me, the whole thing is rather odd
For no matter who penned this book or that, the words all come from God.

Teens Say the Darndest Things
by Mike Weber

I could never do that, no, no not me
I’m afraid of needles just as sure as can be.
I’ll never smoke crack that’s the lowest of low
Just smoke a bud now and then, that’s as low as I’ll go.

Maybe a beer but I’ll never drive and drink,
That happens to those who simply don’t think.
I’ll be just fine, it’s my life anyway don’t you see,
So why do you keep on hounding and pounding on me?

I know, I know, but things were different back then,
Have mercy we’re much younger and wiser, than you could have been.
So preach on if you must, tell us how we’ll certainly end
If we keep smoking pot, time and time again.

What’s that you ask, would I let my own kids smoke pot?
Well that’s a stupid question and I must answer
CERTAINLY NOT!!!!!

I Wanna Cry
by
John Michael Weber

Sometimes I wanna cry but the tears won’t run
They make it to my eyes but get stopped, they won’t come
Like the mighty Colorado held back by Boulder Dam
The raging rivers of tears run wild on the inside of the who I am.

Oh the rivers of tears that run through my heart
They seemingly have no end, nor do they seem to have a start
And they run silent, most of the time
Before flooding the sadness of my heart and my mind
And I just wanna cry.

Then the Lord hears those rivers of pain
And calms them with the love of His reign
He knows what will silent the rapids of fear
And He knows that when I hold back my tears
That I just wanna cry
And He lets me.

Felt Like
John Michael Weber

Felt like writing about love tonight
Almost called you, who knows I still might
The moon is full and it’s a beautiful night
One of those that makes my heart get tight
When I think about you.

Felt like wishing you were still mine
I do that a lot if not all the time
And its one those nights I can’t unwind
Cause there you are dancing in my mind
And I’m thinking about you.

Felt like missing you and it makes my heart ache
I loved and lost and still love you though it’s a mistake
Wshin’ like hell you would call and one call is all I could take
My hearts full of scars but no matter it never does break
When I think about you.

Felt like reminding you I am still hear
Hoping someday you might conquer your fear
And knowing you won’t and that brings the tears
But I miss you now as I have missed you for years
Every time I think of you.

So I put what I felt like to paper and pen
Wonder if I will ever hold you again
Hoping you are happier now than you were back then
Because in this love one of us needs to win
And I still feel like loving you.

Goodbye Again

Said good bye to my girls again today
And that little phrase just gets harder to say
My heart breaks and shines as if it was an emotion of one
Because I am sad to go but so very proud of all the things they have done.

So I gave them hugs and told them I loved them so
Then sped off down the road before they saw my tears flow.
Happens every time, never gets easy and of that I have no doubt
But I leave them with my heart and God has them whether I am in Texas or out.

They have men in their lives and they are nice enough I suppose
You can see they care for my girls and my respect for them little by little it grows.
And my girls, well whether I like those guys or not
Their eyes look at them like they used to look at me when they were just tots.

God has given me too many blessings to number
But every night I thank him for my girls before I fall into slumber.
They are my joy, they are my strength, they’re my life
And together with God we’ve all shared in happiness and weathered strife.

I used to tell them when they were but little girls
With ribbons and bows and pretty little curls
That no matter where they find themselves on any given day
Their dad is never more than a big smile away.

Thanks for a great visit Lindsey and Lauren and oh yea, tell them guys thanks too.
Love ya,
Dad

Willie Nelson 2012
I think Willie oughta run for President
He can raise back some of the money done spent
He did when he wrestled with the IRS
So he’s already fought the government and won the test

I can see Willie and the first family
Singing “Whiskey River” in Texas harmony
He’d be the first to smoke pot inside the West Wing
And that’s better than the joint on the roof of the Capitol building

Agriculture would see a new dawn of production
And all the cars would run on vegetables creating pollution reduction
And his overseas policies would consist of sold out arenas
And when everyone left they would fill up all the cantinas

Willie would do campaigning from his humble tour bus
And when the pundents took shots at him he wouldn’t give a fuss
He would just grin that sly grin and say something witty
Then sing “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” in a voice that is soulful and gritty.

I met Willie once and here is some semblance of irony
We got drunk and smoked pot in a hotel in DC
I thought he was wise even way back then
On the other hand I was so darned stoned it went way beyond sin.

Still, now that I am clean and sober for a few years
I’d vote for Willie and I would help raise the cheers
So Willie, why don’t ya, at least give it some thinking
Imagine all the Lone Star beer the country would be drinking.

Call Kinky Friedman as your running mate
Hell, he’d be a good VP and if you asked he wouldn’t wait
Move the White House to Austin, leave Congress in the East
Play that Martin’s guitar to soothe DC’s beast.

“A song in every heart” can be your campaign mantra
Your life’s an open book so no secrets can haunt ya’
So dust off your guitar, take your old tunes off the shelf
And add one new song “Willie for Pres. In 2012!”

“In a World”
by
John Michael Weber

In a world of dreams and schemes and Pandora’s themes
In a world where there is no right there, is no wrong as long we all just get along, better stated if I’m right you’re wrong.
In a world with no boundaries, none, it’s none for all and all for one
In a world with a moral bar so low, there is no lower than it can go.
In a world where darkness rules all public places, homes and schools, telling the kids, ahh everything’s cool.

I wouldn’t want to stay in a place like this and would not be missed, so schools out dismissed.
Are we in this place, is that the case, is there no more hope that we can chase?
Can we change, rearrange keep the world from being deranged?
Can we stop the madness, eliminate sadness, fill the world with joy and a wonderful gladness?
Is it too late, for too long did we wait, did we hesitate is there hope we can relate?

I think so, I’ll tell you why, God created the earth and made the skies and on all things in Him we must rely.
God is Awesome, God is great and now we must call on Him for everyone’s sake and not be late
He sends out love we must accept, for not to receive it is just inept.
He gave His Son a gift for us and open this gift we simply must.
Unopened gifts beneath a tree do no good for thee and me.

In His image we are, riding in a car sitting in a bar, folks close and folks far
We should be as Jesus, not just doing what pleases us, he made us from only dust and then breathed on us
If we that follow, decide we’ll just wallow and those unbelievers will find our words hollow.
Join hands, join hearts, join voices, make noises, as we worship together then smile as the world also rejoices and all we need do is make the right choices.

To you Lord we sing praises, louder and louder the melody raises
And lifts up our neighbors, believer’s doubters and all the nay sayers
Our God is Awesome, before or after there is none, only the true one.
And the darkness will fall, and light shines on all, and the cries of Satan’s pain will fill all the church halls.
Lord God Almighty forever He reigns, He washes the poison that runs in our veins, and we will wear pure white and all void of life’s stains.

I believe in Jesus, how about you, I believe that truth is truth and one and one always makes two.
I believe in the absolute, not the abstract but the truth, yes I believe in the power of God and that he will save us all, yes you too.

Photos
by
John Michael Weber

In reflection of old photos I am somewhat amazed to find
That even in my troubled life, God gave me moments so kind
Photos of family, photos of friends
Pictures that paint thousands of words that seemingly have no end.

When I am feeling bad for all the bad I brought on myself
I pull down the photos from a dusty old shelf
Then I can reckon the good moments with the bad
And treasure warm memories of the laughter I had.

Then I thank God for the gift of my life
Who knew that joy would not be appreciated, without a little strife
I thank Him for the moments and glimpses in time
When my life, to me, was spinning but God was putting reason to rhyme.

As a child I felt such innocence and awe
I found amazement in everything I touched or I saw
Now half a century later I can feel that awe once again
As I take a moment to view old photos of family and friends.

Drug Lament
by
John Michael Weber

You ever see a junkie cry, curled up in a corner dark
He wishes he could die somehow, his reality’s so stark

The sadness of a mother’s love, that seems to do no good
She wonders what she did not do, she’d change it all if she could

A baby born with mom’s bad life, fear’s their first reward,
And mom cannot control herself until the dope is scored.

A father sees his son in jail, tears begin to flow
And then he wonders how and why and guesses he’ll never know.

A man that was a father once, is now a slave to the drugs,
Cries out in the night for his children, he can almost feel their hugs.

Sadness wraps around the girl, just gave up her body for dope.
The needle finds the vein she seeks and for a moment she can cope.

You ever see a funeral, where no one comes to cry
That is the way most addicts live and most, the way they’ll die.

In the silence of the night so dark, when the world seems fast asleep,
The junkie says “Now I lay me down and pray God my soul to keep.”

Michael

I was eight years old when it came alive
The very cool music of the Jackson five
I listened and memorized every word
I danced and sang along so loud that the neighbors heard.

I got a little older and Ben was Michael’s friend
He could dance backwards moving forward, he was the end
Then Billy Jean got her hooks in Mike
And his records soared up to heavenly heights.

Then it was so thrilling, it was a thriller night
When the video came out it was a musical fright
His talent kept growing, but his life seemed so tragic
I longed for the days when there was ABC magic.

It aired on the news today
Michael Jackson has passed away
I know that Michael is with angels and singing
Moon-walking in Heaven while church bells are ringing

I feel like I lost a friend today
Never met Michael still it feels that way,
But Michael you and Ben “need look no more,
You have both found what you were looking for”
And your music and talent will always inspire
Young people to take their talents much higher then higher.

Peace be with you Michael my friend
May no more pain find you ever again
You are now with God and loved ones and friends
And you best believe your music lives on till the end.
Amen

War on Drugs
I’m gonna put this out for you but what you do is what you do with it
I am angry and I’m frustrated,
I am tired of drug problems being so berated
How can I make you see,
what drugs are really doing to all of you and me
They rip apart a family,
shorten the life of family trees
Nobody listenin,
meanwhile cartels keep on gleamin, dreamin and glistenin
Poppy seeds cocoa plants and lots of pot nothing wrong with that, right
No-no-no its wrong
it’s all wrong from alcohol to needles and bongs
And all those killer gangster songs that glorify hate, vio-lence,
it makes no sense, its dense
there is no glory you got no defense
No wonder so many use and abuse
and every night for drugs they cruise
They want to escape, they just can’t wait,
to get free from all this hate
I used ’em too,
used so much they nearly made me through
I understand, I feel their pain, we gotta show love,
grow love, seek it from up above
They don’t believe a difference can be made so why not get high, get numb, get laid
Sell drugs themselves and get highly paid
Right sides down, wrong sides up,
we must, we must, flip all this stuff
It starts with me, it starts with you,
it starts with all mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters too
So I don’t like war but I am declaring it still,
I am not going to war for some adrenaline thrill
But I feel I gotta do something, and not for nothin,
To stop, smoking and snortin, and shootin and huffin
Don’t need a weapon for this War on Drugs,
we need understanding compassion and hugs
yeah even for the thugs,
we need to show love
Take away demand supply disappears
and relieve our youth of their internal fears,
so they don’t need to hide, don’t need to get high,
don’t need to keep confusion bottled up inside
For there is one that is big beyond all our dreams
and in His hands he holds us all, we’re redeemed.
Put out the blunt, quit bending the spoon,
hurts for a little while but serenity comes soon
Then pay the gift forward to those younger than you
cause their gonna feel the fear you feel right now too
Walk them through the darkness hand clasped in hand
and a beautiful thing will occur all over this land
When you quit buyin, cartels will quit tryin,
Let them for once do a little cryin’
No more drugs, no more delusions,
no more mind bending, heart retching confusion
No more glorification
of these things that cause deterioration
in our nation, it is degradation
No more hating my neighbor, no more “it’s my life,”
no more blindness, only kindness its contagious
and happiness can be downright outrageous
so come on with your debates, engage us
cause you know we’re right
but you still wanna fight,
but you have to give in cause God,
in the end,
wins.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

All Dogs Go to Heaven
for my daughter Lauren

Unconditional is a puppy’s love
The same kind that comes from up above
Such a joy they bring, many Kodak memories
Such a sadness when they have the least of miseries

We wish they would be forever ours
As we watch them romp in fields of flowers
And they bark for whatever it is they need
It is the only way to express a plead

We laugh at their cute little wagging tales
We cry when we know there is something that ails
And have mercy Lord on a puppies master
When it becomes clear there is impending disaster.

As you lay those puppies down before their time
And their masters are the ones left behind
Show your comfort Lord for those that mourn
And heal their hearts that were sadly torn.

Assure them Lord that all is well
That only humans worry of such things as heaven and hell
Let them know dear God, one hundred times, time seven
That it is with you they rest, for all Dogs go to Heaven.

Please pray for my daughter Lauren on the passing of her puppy, “Rocko.”

The Bugler
by John Michael Weber

The Bugler will blow taps today
Around the Nation many tears will fall.
As the Flag is flown at half mast
And the echoes of the bugle, recall

Remember those who fought the British
And died for the Revolution
Then fought them again in 1812
And fell for freedoms solutions

Remember those who died for freedom
Between San Antonio and Lampasas
Remember those brave, courageous young men
Who fought their brothers at Manassas

Remember those who fought the Spanish
And died in 1898
Remember the 1st of the World at War
When Satan opened Hell’s gate

Remember the “day that will live in infamy”
And the soldiers of the Axis Powers
As you visit Arlington Memorial Day
And on graves you gently place flowers

Remember those who died in Korea
And the treaty of peace that still stands
And don’t forget the war that was never called a war
And the horror of those who gave it all in Nam.

Remember those who died in Grenada
Panama and then Desert Storm
One of the shortest of wars of devastation
Some died and a new generation of heroes was born.

And do not forget those bravest of brave
Who drew their last breath in Iraq and Iran
And still give up their hearts for America
In Israel, Baghdad and Pakistan.

So blow it out loud Bugler
That all the world may hear
That America still translates to freedom
And ’tis freedom we all hold so dear.

GOD Bless America
God Bless our Soldiers
GOD Bless the President
And GOD Bless the Bugler!

Old Bailey

Old Bailey
Old Bailey was a Blackman he only had one arm,
Rose the morning with the rooster, to work my granddaddy’s farm
Bailey did more with one arm, than most can do with two
All day in the Louisiana sun until the work was through.
Every evenin’ when the sun went down and dinner was on the table
Granma would hand a plate to me to take Bailey in the shack next to the stables
I grabbed the plate and most times take mine too, cause I enjoyed his company
Me and Bailey would eat a quiet supper ’cause Bailey had no family
Come the weekend and the work was done Bailey said “Come on and walk with me,”
Take me to the stable, grab the horse, and saddle it with one arm, darnedest thing I ever did see.
He’d lead me around on the horse from here to there and sing quiet songs that seemed kinda sad
Then he’d look up at me and smile and I swear its one of the best times I ever had.
I was a young white boy from Texas and I went to granddaddy’s in the summer time,
Knew nothing ’bout slavery yet and never taught any differences in human kind
I’d here talk from older folk about men that were colored and such
Might a been a little confusing, but really never bothered me much.

See, when I had those quiet dinners with my friend Bailey out in that worn out shack,
He’d talk to me about interesting things, didn’t make no difference that he was black
And now and again, when someone, runs down someone, that ain’t the same
I think about one of my earliest friends in life and Bailey was his name.

John Michael Weber
This poem is a true story that took place when I was a young boy visiting my Grandparents in Ferriday, LA. I bet Bailey would smile at how far we have come.

So long President Bush what an 8 year run you had
Something’s went quite well
I guess some went rather bad
But as we say farewell I bid adieu and hope everyone can remember
That dismal morning when our world was changed in 2001 September
And perhaps as we say goodbye we could from criticism refrain
And reflect on Katrina, Rita, Ike and the lesser hurricanes.
And just so you could not go out without one more demerit the financial world crashed
And once again as in time after time President George W. Bush was seriously bashed.
I will tell you Mr. President what I believe will someday for all ring true
You command more for the country’s good and not for what the country thought of you.
Welcome Mr. President to the highest post in our fair land
The most powerful country on earth has just entrusted to you its command.
What a race you ran and run you did with dignity and poise
Not easy when some of your backers were making such a negative noise.
A lot of hope rest upon your shoulders and I cannot imagine the weight
But no doubt you will continue your integrity when dealing with all the heads of state.
And Lord have mercy your skin is black reminding us that America moves boldly ahead
And what an historic reign is placed on you to turn around 8 years of supposed dread.
Welcome Mr. President and I pray you make us proud
For you men like Kennedy and King shouted from the mountains loud.
And mostly, God Bless America for making me proud once again
To hold my head up high and mighty because I am a true American.
So long Bush, Hello Obama you have both made the pages of history
And both of you understand, twas God made it all a possibility.
God Bless Presidents old and new
Let freedom ring loud through and through
And Lord this prayer I pray to you and in some ways lament
Help us all to make Barrack Obama a truly great President.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

When Comesthe RainbyJMW 1995

I am a little bit tired

I feel a little unclean

Been a little bit lazy

And a whole lotta mean

But I am a believer

That all things can change

And I am gonna be better

When God sends the rain

Chorus:

When comes the rainI’ll feel so much cleanerAnd the grass and the treesThey’ll all be so much greenerI’ll wash the salt from my skinAnd the poison from my veinsAnd I’ll be a better manWhen God sends the rain. I’m sometimes contrary

At times out of touch

And I’ve been known to miss work

From drinking too much

Overall I’ve been blessed

And dare not complain

And I’m gonna be better

When God sends the rain...

Texas My Home
by
John Michael Weber

All have their opinion about the Lone Star State
And all are entitled to perception, though misguided it might be.
It cannot be understood by those north of the Red River
Or south of the Rio Grande Valley.

It is the tumble weeds out West, the freezing cold of the Panhandle
The warm breezes of the Gulf Coast, the East Texas Pines
The wildlife of Uvalde, the beauty of Hill Country near Austin,
The history of the Alamo, San Antonio’s Sangria wines.

Your arms get tired of waving at folks that you don’t know,
Its talking to people in the checkout line at the neighbored store.
It’s the uniting of the neighbors
When the storms hit hard off the Gulf Coast shore.

It’s the magic of El Paso, the San Jacinto home of Texas freedom
It’s the Livestock Show in Houston, 6th Street in Austin
It’s things like these that may be frowned upon and misunderstood
By folks in New York, DC and Boston.

It’s the music that is Texas born
Lefty, Willie, Waylon & Janice was born here too
Steve Miller and Texan Mac Davis
Who wrote the song In the Ghetto and Elvis sang it true.

Stevie Ray Vaughn, need I say more
Ok, how about ZZ Top and the truth of La Grange
The best Little you know what in Texas
Yeah other states might see us as a little bit strange.

Independent we stand, if the need ever be
Under the one single Star that blankets every Texas woman and man
And when the time comes to stand before God
I will meet Him in Texas, my Promised Land!

Bliss

John Michael Weber

Unknowing can sometimes be a fearful feeling...

Bliss

John Michael Weber

Unknowing can sometimes be a fearful feeling

But mostly one can draw on bliss.

If a man doesn’t see it then it is very easy

just to believe it does not exist.

From time to time of a mornin’ I reflect

recalling all the things in life that molded me.

When I think of my youth and dreamin’ of things I ain’t seen yet

to becoming older and wondering yet, what is there left to see.

When in my youth the candles were burned

Both ends and the middle that candle burned fat as it fried

I learned about something’s the hard way by trial

If I look closely back at me it is a wonder I never died.

Somewhere in the midst between youth and elder

the fog was lifted and much to my amazement and sadly my chagrin

So many things about which I had ignorant bliss

became reality all life’s losses and ties and the wins.

I saw poverty and lived it too

It is a thing I am blessed to know and cursed to have seen.

I have seen death on many occasions

and this was not a thing I gave thought to as a teen.

I have seen the world at war and served proud my country

been to countries that made my problems all but fade.

I witnessed racism and knew it was there

yet never thought I did enough, to erase all colors to shade.

I have been hurt by love and hurt many that loved me

it is a fact that no longer is buffered by bliss.

Still, of a morning I sip coffee and smile

for everyday of my life led me to quiet mornings of reflection with God just like this.

If I don’t see it or cannot hear it, or taste or feel it,

I know now that is not evidence that it does not exist.

There is a time when the truth must be faced

and leave the young to enjoy their ignorant bliss.

May You
by
John Michael Weber

I want to write a poem of “may you’s”
Like may you be forever young
Unfortunately all the may you’s
Seem to be already done.
From Dylan and Confucius
Many more much wiser than I
Even with all the may you’s taken
Still think I’ll give it a try.

May you always be forgiven,
Because I’m sure someone forgave.
May you find a career that moves you
Not one keeping you enslaved.
May you always keep your fences low
So you can see over the side
May you always keep your journey pure
May you always enjoy the ride.
May you keep your peace if you can’t find God,
May you be receiving when He finds you.
May your life then be driven vertically,
Then your horizons will be true.

Well, it seems I’m out of may you’s,
Funny, I don’t feel any more the wise
May I never feel smarter than I am,
May I be just a regular guy.

Snuck in a couple more…

Jesus Did You Know
By
John Michael Weber

Jesus my Lord, Jesus the Christ
Born in a manger under a star in the sky.
Joseph and Mary proud parents were they,
These things we celebrate on Christmas Day.

For peace on Earth the angels did sing,
Wise men traveled, with gifts they did bring
And you were swaddled to keep from the cold,
The Messiah of which ancient time stories were told

Jesus the Savior of all
Jesus the Redeemer of all mankind’s fall
Christmas reminds us of glory on earth
We all reflect on the night of your birth,

Jesus we needed you so way back then
Jesus we still need delivered from sin
And I wonder my Lord did you know on the night you were born,
That all these years later the world is still torn?

And I wonder if then Christ you knew,
That now more than ever we all still need you?
And for one night of the year
We lay down our burdens, our anger and fears.
And mostly all weapons lay down this night,
The world takes a sigh and deep breath at the sight,
The Star over Bethlehem shines still
And prayers for peace and love and for God’s will,

Echo through valleys and cities and towns,
That someday soon your love on Earth will truly abound.
Thank you Jesus, for this one day a year
Where joy and peace rings out with good cheer,

Thank you for loving us since before you became man,
Thank you for delivering us and being God’s right hand.
Christmas time is upon us all,
We’ll think of you Lord when decking our halls,

We’ll think of you when we sing Christmas songs,
We will praise you Lord all the season long.
We are your children and we are all honored to be,
So Merry Christmas Jesus from all of us unto Thee.

From time to time of a mornin’ I reflect
recalling all the things in life that molded me.
When I think of my youth and dreamin’ of things I ain’t seen yet
to becoming older and wondering yet, what is there left to see.

When in my youth the candles were burned
Both ends and the middle that candle burned fat as it fried
I learned about something’s the hard way by trial
If I look closely back at me it is a wonder I never died.

Somewhere in the midst between youth and elder
the fog was lifted and much to my amazement and sadly my chagrin
So many things about which I had ignorant bliss
became reality all life’s losses and ties and the wins.

I saw poverty and lived it too
It is a thing I am blessed to know and cursed to have seen.
I have seen death on many occasions
and this was not a thing I gave thought to as a teen.

I have seen the world at war and served proud my country
been to countries that made my problems all but fade.
I witnessed racism and knew it was there
yet never thought I did enough, to erase all colors to shade.

I have been hurt by love and hurt many that loved me
it is a fact that no longer is buffered by bliss.
Still, of a morning I sip coffee and smile
for everyday of my life led me to quiet mornings of reflection with God just like this.

If I don’t see it or cannot hear it, or taste or feel it,
I know now that is not evidence that it does not exist.
There is a time when the truth must be faced
and leave the young to enjoy their ignorant bliss.

I saw poverty and lived it too
It is a thing I am blessed to know and cursed to have seen.
I have seen death on many occasions
and this was not a thing I gave thought to as a teen.

Not My Problem
by
John Michael Weber

In class sometimes you just might hear
something that takes a hold beyond your ear.
A light goes on and it becomes quite clear
and the knowledge of a situation becomes riddled with fear.

“It’s not my problem till it becomes my problem” is that not profound?
And perhaps the state of mind that tears America down.
In ostrich like amazement we won’t see what’s all around
like a shot going off in the hood and no one heard a sound.

Sure hate it for them and damned glad it ain’t me
I have heard they’re weak willed, you know, those low as can be.
There is no excuse for anyone to be a victim in the land of the free
we are all created equal so what’s the deal, I can’t see.

Those addicts, now they are not as numbered as said
and I don’t see many on my street winding up dead
so why should I be worried, concerned or dread?
It’s not my problem; I am just fine in my head.

A sad state of affairs this blind attitude
pretending it is not in existence gives one false gratitude.
So I am now going to remove your complacent latitude
so think of me as being truthful, not meaning to be rude.

Addiction affects us all everyone
though you might find exceptions, I will save you the hunt, there are none.
And dealing with problems you deny is no fun
but now it is your problem and you’ve nowhere to run.

Think of the taxes it takes to give slanted justice for all.
Think of the money it takes to make each junkie fall
Think of high cost of health care, upwardly it continues to crawl
Think cost of security to keep drugs from penetrating our imaginary walls.

Think of the millions it cost to keep all users incarcerated
Think of high end rehabs where the funding has been lacerated
Think of the dollars used on drugs and it will leave you agitated
Think that it is all our money that paves the way for the recovery population to be loved but berated.

Say it is not your problem? I say it is too!
Become part of the solution and we can solve all problems, somehow see them through.
Don’t wait till one of your own gets in trouble to believe it affects you
Follow your heart and to thine own heart be true!

My Valentine

John Michael Weber

Even distance cannot keep us apart
My love is yours
You are the keeper of my heart.
It is so now and has been so
Since the very start.

When I lay down my head and close my eyes
Yours are the eyes I see.
And though I may not be rich, or successful or wise
You inspire me to be a better man
And I will be better for you even if it takes a hundred tries.

It is Valentine’s Day and I express my love
I will treat you as the Queen you are
I know you are a great gift to me sent from heaven above.
And together we fit just like comfortable glove.

I will spend each day as if it were our last
So that for granted you will never be taken.
I am honored for the days that will come and those we have in our past.
May the love flag we fly wave on forever and never be flown at half- mast.

So to my beautiful Valentine
I hope you enjoy these words
They come from my heart, and are given with great reason and rhyme.
Happy Valentine’s Day I love you now and I will love you for all time.

Another Valentine’s Night

John Michael Weber

Plagiarizing and Mutilating Cat Steven’s Another Saturday Night!

Another Valentine’s night and I ain’t got nobody

I saved money on expensive cologne

Not real sure that I wish I had somebody

I find V-Day much cheaper alone.

I’ve spent tons of money

On roses and knock off rose wine

Boxes of heart-shaped chocolate’s

And still no Valentine.

Ohhh, Another Valentine’s night and I’m watchin’ Sandra Bullock

Romantic comedies no more make me cry

I sent my poems to my lovely daughters

I’m craving ice cream and I don’t know why.

Football is over now

And basketball don’t ring my bell

It’s a week before the Rodeo

But Sandra’s lookin’ fine as hell.

Another Valentine’s night and I don’t need nobody

I’ll buy new guitar strings with the money I saved

Think I will eat that ice cream now

I know, I know I’m just south of depraved!

HAPPY VALENTINE”S DAY ALL Y’ALL!

Happy V-Day
by
John Michael Weber

Long ago and far away
There lived a priestly Saint and
Valentine was his name.

With the stroke of a pen
He started a tradition and this
Lovely celebration, to this day still remains.

So each 14th day of February
We find the one we love and perhaps
The ones we wished loved us.

We send cards and flowers
And candies and hugs
And we make a wonderful fuss.

It all started with a Saint
In love with a girl
And the legend has grown in time.

By signing his name
At the end of a letter to his love
His signature said simply,
“Your Valentine”

Never Say Never
by
John Michael Weber

Every time, I am challenged, by those who say never
it only strengthens my resolve.
Takes my passion, to new levels, bolsters my drive
until a change has evolved.

Every time, I hear can’t, by negative forces
I become more determined, that I can.
I never say never, except when it comes
to saying never, will I ever, say never, again.
All things can be accomplished, through Christ who’s within me,
I am promised in the letter to Philippians.
And when the times get rough,
I’m guaranteed to be tough,
as I walk with my Lord hand in hand.

When I hear, that’s impossible, with no hint of probable
I donne God’s Armor of love
And with all of my heart, I know I must start
To call on my Father above.
I hit my knees, search my heart,
Balance emotions with my mind
I know never, will never ever, be a part of me again!

Lonely With God
By
John Michael Weber

I am lonely with God tonight
I sleep on the sofa cause the beds too empty
I’m asking God for answers, He knows, but won’t give any
He gave you to me for a moment and it should have been plenty
Instead I am lonely with God tonight.

I am lonely with My Lord tonight
I am not Job and I shouldn’t be whinin’
I know that I am Blessed so why am I cryin’?
My heart isn’t mending, don’t know if it’s tryin’
I am lonely with My Lord tonight.

I am lonely with God tonight
I am missing every little thing I came to love about you
The way you’d say good night when the day was all through
The sound of your breathing and your heartbeat was true
I am lonely with God tonight.

On my pillow not alone, I lay down my head
On the sofa for I fear going back to the bed
I feel God’s touch and it takes all my dread
Good night my sweet son, was all that He said.
And I realize I am not lonely,
I got God here tonight.

Kickin It!
by
John Michael Weber

Hey don’t go and be hatin
you’re gettin close to agitatin
The bowels of my soul where Satan lays waitin
For me to drop my guard, so he can hit me hard.
There won’t be no hesitatin

The whole damned thing is really aggravaitin’
Had on the full armor of the Lord
But Satan is patient He don’t ever get bored.
He’s smiling right now as he sharpens sword
so he’ll be ready to inject, and inject he will.
And I cannot deflect it, hit me before I even suspect
He’ll command all my respect
at the first sign of weakness he’s able to detect.

So if you see me and I am shakin like a leaf
Its not the time to give me any grief
All I want all I really, really want is some relief
I wanna restore my belief.

Get the monkey off my worn out back
Shootin dope, smoking crack
Vicious cycle way beyond whacked.
Get a little take a little need a whole lot more
Steppin over a junkie who has coded on the floor.

Put in the spoon, add water and some fire
drown the cotton, and pound the cotton, seconds from desire.
Pull the plunger back and the red is truly gold
Push the rubber forward and euphoria finds your soul.

If you see me noddin
that’s no invitation to be proddin
I am a breath away from my Creator
for a moment I have escaped the terminator.

Your lover wears out long before you
you need another shot just to get you through.
Head back toward the heavens and tears are in my eyes
Praying that the Lord my God will hear my wretched cries.

A warmth wells up in me feeling better than the dope
Jesus lifts me by the arms like a boxer on the ropes.
Heroin wears off, but Jesus’ love never fails
His love endures forever as the drugs all sail.

Give it up to God, even if it seems to you ridiculous,
he’ll show you this and teach you that the whole thing is miraculous.
Call on Him in the morning, it keeps Satan in his bay
Call on the Lord afternoon, hit your knees and then you pray.
God is good, God is great you can take it to all banks
and in the evening, head on pillow, a good prayer is simply say
thanks!

In Memorial
Laurie Stewart
by
John Michael Weber

In the early 70’s in the SO-HO Avenues
On any given afternoon in the summer so hot.
There was a place we gathered and planned
But mostly we hung out and laughed a whole lot.

There was a young girl, younger than us
Who clung to her older sister
And she laughed the loudest and smiled the biggest
As we took in the Texas sun and got blistered.

The Stewart sisters had the house we called home,
We all were so comfortable there.
Karen the eldest was lively and fun
And Laurie the younger, was with us everywhere.

Laurie was something, she didn’t miss a thing,
And she was like a sister to the other guys and me
And like any big brothers, we guys got her back
And Laurie was filled with a spirit that was free.

Time goes by and the junkyard dogs moved on
And with Laurie for years I lost touch.
But God has a plan and it is His plan that works
So our plans don’t matter so much.

Like me, many of my fellow Trojans
Fell prey to a demon, which pretended not to be.
But the whiskey, wine and beer won us over
And Laurie, from this bondage, was not free.

I was honored to see Laurie again
As many years had passed us both by.
I was inspired and amazed by her courage
And her commitment to keep her head held up high.

She battled mightily and fought courageously
And it is the true SoHo Spirit God gave us to win.
And though the very disease that she fought took her home
It was Laurie that would ultimately win in the end.

On September 21st the Lord took her home,
From her own bed with her sister Karen at her side.
She was ready I am sure, no more pain would she endure
And now with many of God’s Angels she abides.

To all my fellow Junkyard Dogs
You can be proud of this Trojan gone home.
And to all those alive in the struggle
Laurie would want you to know, you are not alone.

I am so honored to have witnessed this woman
As she faced her fears and her pains and her doubts.
I thank God for reconnecting me with her
Before her time here on Earth had run out.

To her family I say peace be with you all,
Death is to be mourned by us for sure.
To Karen you are in our prayers for I know
You have much to endure.

Another SO HO Trojan went home
She went on the wings of a dove.
And Laurie I say to you, say hey to God,
I know you are reading this above.
Amen!

Whitney Passes
by
John Michael Weber

The media is alive with death today
Shocked again by the early demise of a celebrity
Why, what’s the cause, don’t mention the drugs, fans say
Whitney Houston has just passed away.

A voice that could take you to Heaven moved there last night
On the wings of Angels Whitney’s soul took flight
And there is comfort in knowing that now she is quite alright
For now there is no pain, no suffering left for her to fight.

Why do people fear the mention of her addiction
To silence the truth keeps up an ignorant friction.
The cause of her death does not put the memory of her beauty on restriction
It simply tells the truth about her and millions of others’ affliction.

If cancer had caused her early demise
An anthem against the disease would written and to number one it would fly
And millions would be raised in minutes by the rich and the wise
To stamp out cancer and the cause of her passing would not be disguised.

But the disease of addiction draws frowns and heads shake
How could someone so wonderful choose to get baked
Weak will she must have had, couldn’t handle life’s quake.
Why didn’t she just say no for Heaven and the Lord’s sake.

“Hey Whitney, this is Mike, bet you’re comfortable now
No more lies to yourself, that today you won’t pick up a drink or a drug somehow.
I felt your pain when you were here, I still feel it now.
I need not tell you, this disease knows no color, no white, black, red, yellow or brown.

Hey girl ain’t it cool your music will never die
It will move folks for years, make ’em smile, make ’em cry.
And for years they’ll ask the question over and over, why, oh why.
As for me, for you and all my friends this disease took, I’ll just smile at the sky.

From one junkie to another I say Peace be with you,
Say hi to my mom if you would, tell her I am making it through
And if you don’t mind, could you talk to the Lord too?
Ask Him to help people like me get the message through.

I will let you go Whitney, Heaven is Blessed to have your songs
I am sure your voice will be heard by all Saints and Angels all the day long.
The way that you passed was not right, but not wrong
It was God’s plan for you and us, His way all along.”

To those with cancer and all other diseases that take life, my heart and prayers go out. The reference to cancer was not meant to say it does not deserve that millions be raised to wipe it out, it certainly needs everything we can put into the research. My point is that so does addiction and as of now it is not legally or scientifically deemed a disease even though legislators and scientists, agree that that it is a disease of the brain.

Let it Go
by
John Michael Weber
Let it go, such an easy thing to say
Cut the strings and let them fly
Delivering worn out cliché’s.

Asking God how and leaving out the why.
Love of a mother bonding of a dad
Ripped away from the like its cotton candy
The whole damned thing is really rather sad

To watch parents of an addict slip away.
Letting go is the answer that’s a fact, no doubt.
But easier vocalized than practiced for sure.
Which principles are kept and which to be thrown out
It’s the catch 22 de jour.

And what about the junkie, oh my Lord such raw pain.
A pain he daily battles but never wins
What wins is alcohol, heroin and cocaine
They drown out every worldly sin.

I pray tonight for parents that suffer long
I pray for just a touch of peace
I pray that someday we can right our wrongs
And be as pure as woolen fleece.

Good night loved ones everywhere tell the Lord you wish to talk
Good night to addicts on the street stay warm tonight and dry
Good night to all of human Earth wherever you may walk
Invite the Lord to walk beside and ask him how, not why.

Please pray for a mother in Maryland and her son in Canada. He is on the right track and the mother is hopeful but asks for our praise for the progress God has instilled and pray that He keeps it going.

Hurt
by
John Michael Weber

The wound isn’t healing, the bleeding won’t cease
The pain has not lessened it has only increased.
Cries out to God, talking with family and friends,
No better, just worse and the hurt never ends.

It is not their fault, there was no malicious intent
And surely love was shared for a time that we spent.
This is a hurt never felt and to heal I know not where to start,
I do know for sure that I have one seriously broken heart.

Hurt, a hurt that is all very new
Hurt that has left me not having a clue.
God is all knowing and knows of my pain
But for now He allows my tears to fall down like rain.

My life is spent in the service of others
God tells we all are the keepers of our brothers
And I try to get people to learn from their emotions
To set aside what they carry as preconceived notions.

But to counsel myself, makes my counselor a fool,
But hurt has a way of bending the rules
No doubt in the past I have suffered such pain
But would run to alcohol, heroin and cocaine.

To that end the way through the pain is one way
Stay the course, I suppose, until the hurt goes away.
There is great joy I receive when I help someone find hope,
And now it is on me to find some way to cope.

As for what got me to this place I have no regrets no sorrow,
I loved them in the beginning and I will still love them tomorrow.
There were days and nights of such wonderful a union
That no amount of hurt can take away or ever ruin.

Maybe Not My Kid

John Michael Weber

Lotsa kids doing drugs today.

I don’t have kids yet so what can I say?

Well maybe I can talk to my wife right now

Maybe we can stop it before it begins somehow.

See I know nothing of substance abuse

My wife and I were lucky with minimal alcohol use.

So maybe together we can get educated on addiction,

Maybe we can talk and learn before we have kids caught up in that friction.

Maybe we can be examples while the child is in the womb.

Maybe not argue loudly and slam doors when leaving a room.

And maybe we should consider the child is listening inside mom

And that a mild argument between us could to the child sound like a bomb.

We, me and mom, should set an example from the very beginning

So that the child know their loved and in loving there is winning.

Build up the child in positive esteem and reinforcement

Let it be known you understand and and apply loving discernment

Build up the child’s safe zone where no question or feeling is ignored.

Engage in their conversation and never seem bored.

They will seek an answer that is to be sure

Better to feel good enough to seek from their parents whose love and interest is pure.

Maybe if we embrace the child and believe in them no matter their confusion,

Mom and I can be there to help with any misdirected delusions.

Then maybe when others say, “Not my kid” when asked about drugs

And those that admit “Yes my kid,” with those “I don’t know” shrugs.

Maybe we will be prepared for those days

And our child won’t come home in a drug induced haze,

Maybe if these things are considered before they are born, one of these days.

We can say from or hearts, “Maybe not my kid,” meaning we did our best

And continue to love and teach and to give God the rest.

Maybe, just maybe, not my kid.

Gala

John Michael Weber

There is a Gala down in Kemah

And the event takes place tonight

Ain’t got no Chucks on, no St Laurent

But I am still gonna dress to the nines alright!

It’s Mardi Gras in Kemah

And the party is about to begin

Gonna have a great time with people I don’t know

And a lot of old High School friends!

SoHo has quite a Creu

Its being going on for many years

We get together and dance and laugh

And there ain’t no room for tears!

So tonight we will be Facing the Wind

Celebrating Mardi Gras its going to be a hoot!

We’ll all get along just fine you see

But don’t dare mess with my Toot-Toot!

See ya there Creu Du Rouge!

Heart Keys

John Michael Weber

For so long my heart was locked

And the Keys my Lord held close.

Behind closed doors of my soul

He molded for the one He chose.

The one He chose to pass on the keys

To unlatch this heart of mine.

She appeared one evening, keys in hand

And will hold them for all time.

Grace Never Sleeps

I think sometimes of the Lord

how tired He must sometimes be.

How can he keep the world turning,

This I fail to see.

He doesn’t miss when we laugh

and when we cry He hears and then He weeps.

Must be hard, must be so very long the nights,

for our Lord and Savior watches and Grace, it never sleeps.

World Turning

John Michael Weber

The world today is quite bizarre

Seems all about money, boats, planes and cars

And what was the last meal eaten by some Hollywood star?

And not if we’re going out to escape tonight, but to which bar?

And the world keeps turning

And the climate is burning?

And conservatives are right but so are liberals

The world is caught up in surrealism so cerebral.

Sex and drugs and gun control

Where will it stop? It won’t, we’re on a roll.

“If it feels good do it, it’s my life so screw it!”

Hedonistic desires totally unbridled, makes a lot of sense because aren’t we entitled?

Feel guilty about that just take another drink;

See how long it covers up the stink.

Failing that take a stronger drug,

For a moment you’ll feel like a warm comfortable hug.

And the world keeps turning,

But what happened to all the stuff we shoulda been learning?

Love your neighbor as yourself,

When did that get lost on the shelf?

Honor God heart, soul and mind

Love is patient and love is kind.

I don’t know maybe it’s just me,

But are the churches being the worship places they’re really supposed to be.

Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal

Can we all not see the things in life are dispicipal?

Instead of the government fixing all the problems

Why don’t the churches unite so they can solve ’em.

I guess though if I have to be honest and trust me I do

The change I seek must begin with me and not with you.

So as Michael Jackson said in a way I cannot

I will look at the man in the mirror and see what I got.

Today I will be kind to my neighbor whether I wish to or not,

I will embrace the day God gave me, no matter the temperatures are hot.

If I say something wrong I will be fast to amend,

If I do something good I will credit God right then.

I will look to the Heavens and thank the Lord for my life

And clean up my corner of troubles and strife.

At the end of today I will thank God,

I will pray for my enemies though it might feel a bit odd.

I will pray for my family and loved ones and friends,

And finally for all the desperate hearts in the world as the gift of today ends.

The Bible Says

Jeremiah 23:24

Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Abyss

John Michael Weber

As deeper and deeper I fall

Into the seemingly hopeless dark abyss

I wonder if I cry out one more time

Would it even work or would I be dismissed?

In the falling it is natural to scream

And to pray that someone throws an Angelic rope.

Deeper into the chasms of isolation

It becomes more chaotic and difficult to cope.

Hear my cry oh Lord my God

I fall and know not where I will land.

Catch me Lord and lift me from the darkness

With thy gentle and loving hands.

Amen!

Wrong Side of the Tracks

John Michael Weber

Used to ride a train on the rails of cocaine all night,

In the mornin drink the blood of Mary just to feel a little alright

Years of pills and years of thrills and a whole lot of beer

Till finally one day I got enslaved by the one that I truly feared.

Heroin stopped the train on a dime, right dead in its tracks

And once you feel that hell, disguised as heaven, you don’t ever wanna look back.

Next shot is nothing but a shady deal around the next corner

You give not even a thought at all to the family of mourners

You’re written off as dead, clean out of your head for what you cannot resist

The chaotic abyss will never cease or desist

Until Mr. Brownstone gives you the go

And you find a few minutes of peace don’t ya know.

Used to live only one shot at a time

Heroin aligned me with false reason and rhyme.

It took away everything that had any meaning at all

And when it drops you there is never a soft place to fall.

Out of the darkness came a shot of cocaine

Inserted professionally in just the right vein

A couple fellow junkies were the doctors that night

And they got my heart beating and saved my sorry life.

Two things happened when my world went pitch black

I didn’t see the light, I saw darkness, I was on the wrong track.

And it occurred to me my friends could have let me die, just allow my heart not to start

But, junkies are people and most have really good hearts.

The moral of this tale has a happy ending for now,

And tomorrow will be alright if I don’t ask why and give God the how.

I thank God for every breath that I draw and much more

I thank God for my fellow addicts who did not leave me dead on the floor.

God Knows Better

John Michael Weber

Never asked to be delivered, but delivered I got

And for that I am thankful cause at the gates of hell the fire is so damned hot.

Never asked or sought or wanted anything that couldn’t be bought

But Jesus came anyway showing me a better way that could not ever be earned or bought because He already covered the cost.

Never tried to become an addict but that was where my journey led

And I am oh so sorry for all the hearts that knew me and bled.

Never asked to to give up the dope, and end up beneath a microscope

My mind, heart and soul all in a row to be analyzed and probed.

Never sought the peace I feel now, maybe I did but just didn’t know how

God knows better don’t you see, He knew me better when even I knew not of me and all I can say is wow.

God does know better and I thank the Lord for that

And ain’t it cool that God does not operate tit for tat.

God Knows Better!

Never sought to help others just like me, but then I was blind you know how it goes,I could not see.

Could not have fathomed the joy of giving, for all I knew was a life of selfish living,

I had settled for peaceful misery at the bottom, any drug or drinks to change me somebody’s got ’em.

God decided I was worthy, even after all the bridges burned away

And to that God Knows Better is all I can really say.

God Knows Better

God’s love is true

He shares my joy and gives me peace when I am blue

My free will may be in tact its true but I am betting God knows my very next move.

God Knows Better!

“Silence of the Morning”

In the silence of the morning

There was no silencing the awful noise inside my head.

At a time when others slept miserably peaceful

I was wide awake with fear and dread.

No means or desire to kill myself

But forever wishing I was dead.

No joyful sunrise, no hot coffee

No excitement of what the day might hold in store.

Only the creeping in of the morning need

Of heroin, my drug of choice and each morn I needed more.

No laughter from the children’s room they left with mom

And the thought of what I had become made me weak and awfully sore.

My journey to the Gates of Hell began at age thirteen.

No sense of any social norm would I ever become a part.

My mind craved all that is unconceivable to most

And at that early age I lost my mind and had nothing close to heart.

I wore a mask to cover up my pain

To try and fit in the world but I knew not where to start.

In the silence of the morning

I reflect on those miserable days.

The sunrise is happening over the lake

And I do find joy in that in many ways.

I have a hot cup of coffee, its good

And I reflect on the past and listen to what God might say.

I think as I sit here, of the thousands of teens

That are waking up this morning with utter misery

I think of how it seems but yesterday

And I can feel their pain from my used to be.

I truly wish I could help them all

Help to quiet the noise and set them free.

I pray dear Lord, my Redeemer

Your mightiness, your holiness rescued me.

Help me Lord to serve you well

Help me, to help them escape their misery.

Guide on this morn’ dear Lord,

And mostly Lord, keep me on the path with Thee.

Lonely

John Michael Weber

For all my life

It seemed so lonely

In a crowd, I stood alone

No warmth at all

Just a coldness

That chilled me to the bone.

Emotionally barren

Spiritually void

With no semblance of hope.

Then upon a god

I sought deliverance

I found it in the dope.

Heroin held me

Kept me warm

Comforted my empty soul.

My mother, my lover

A return to the womb

All things good on me were bestowed.

Just one shot

Just enough to comfort

Just enough to ease my pain.

The needle

The spoon, the cotton

The dope became my entire domain.

God

The true God

Never took his eyes off me.

He no doubt

Was not pleased

But waited for my honest plea.

One November

Cold rainy night

Through the touch of a hand

God used another

To do His will

And to ensure alone I would not stand.

I am never alone

These days I embrace a crowd

God gave me what I could not get.

And since that night

I haven’t flirted with dope

And Thanks to God I still haven’t yet.

In My Own Skin

John Michael Weber

I ask myself am I comfortable in my own skin?

Am I confident to stand for right when I know that I may not win?

Can I chase my passion though people might say I am crazy?

Can I relax on Sunday on the couch without worrying that it’s just a bit lazy?

Can I go against the grain

Splash puddles in the rain without caring?

Can I cry when I get teary

Can I recognize when I’m weary?

I can say that mostly I am just fine

Inside the skin I’m wearing.

I can say I no longer fear, when I shed a tear

Because of something for which I am caring.

I can comfortably state

That better than never is surely late.

You see it took me many years to arrive

But I am glad to be here and alive.

Somewhat comfortable in my own skin

Not yet where I wish but not where I have been.

Each day I thank the Lord for the skin he gave

It’s the skin in which I was born and the one I will take to my grave.

What If (Rap) Eminem and Toby Mac Eat Your heart Out

What If Rap

John Michael Weber

What if

What if God was standing

What if God was standing right in front of you?

What if

What if He asked

What if He asked how are you my son?

What would you say?

Would you say to him, Lord I’m just fine

I been usin’ your name all the time, in my poetic rhymes

I am good, no, no kidding God

Lots of people think I’m odd, But I ain’t no sod

I came to you Lord, you were my last chance

The music played on but I couldn’t even dance

You were my last shot, before I fell to the place that’s hot

Hook:

This little light of mine I’m gonna let shine

Makes no sense no reason no rhyme but now I ain’t blind

Let it shine cause the faith is real, say what you want but I know how feel

I was gone now I’m back, God put me on track when all the odds were highly stacked

And I’m gonna’ let it shine, cause its mine and God lights it all the time

I wish I had sought you before

But Lord I could barely make it off the floor,

Much less to the door, when you knocked

I wasn’t dissin’ you Almighty

I was just so strung out, no more fight-in-me

You are Awesome, and I was lonesome,

forgot all about joy, love and fun

I was finished and gone, and everything I touched went so very

wrong

But you got me now Lord, what ya want me to do?

Cause everything I do I’m gonna do it for you

You had my back, when others ran like rabbits,

ran away from me and all my bad habits

But I stand here now

Right here Lord my God, in front of you

I will serve and serve only you and that’s true

I was down low and forgotten, the veins in my soul were gettin all rotten

But you healed me and faith in you has sealed me, to a new covenant

Hook:

This little light of mine I’m gonna let shine

Makes no sense no reason no rhyme but now I ain’t blind

Let it shine cause the faith is real, say what you want but I know how feel

I was gone now I’m back, God put me on track when all the odds were highly stacked

And I’m gonna’ let it shine, cause its mine and God lights it all the time

And the rest of my life will be spent loving you My God, Yeshua. My Christ

I will never look back never gonna think twice…

I am more than a conqueror and in your name I am a fighter

No more burning my fingers on a hot crack lighter,

no more needles puncture my veins,

for my Lord God Almighty is the one truth that reigns

You give me power, and I take it every hour, so that drugs can no longer devour me,

or blood shower me and there’s no more coward in me

I am not afraid, the dragon’s been slayed

and on the cross all my debts, you paid

And if I can reach one, I can reach two

and assemble an army before it’s all through

An army of soldiers for you,

to carry your Word to the lost and the found too

That all things can be done through you,

you are awesome, invincible, reliable, desirable, gonna give you a try if I’m able

and invite many like me to the Lords table

to accept you, respect you give all and everything up for you,

You are my lord my God my Savior and you reign above all,

all drugs, all thugs, all evil even the devil and it is you I Trust,

because I want to, not cause I must,

because your love is unmatchable, and with you my hearts untouchable,

I don’t need more drugs that are crutchable

Hook:

This little light of mine I’m gonna let shine

Makes no sense no reason no rhyme but now I ain’t blind

Let it shine cause the faith is real, say what you want but I know how feel

I was gone now I’m back, God put me on track when all the odds were highly stacked

And I’m gonna’ let it shine, cause its mine and God lights it all the time

Jesus with you I am rollin,

you forgave me all the life that I’ve stolen

And with you Lord no other can cross me,

and I am moving in a Christ driven posse

I’m wit you God, no matter who finds it odd,

and if I rap, I’m gonna rap with no trap, no net don’t need it,

in all things I will succeed it,

for you deliver, much better stuff than dope,

no longer in darkness need I grope,

my way to the light, cause you made it alright. And from now on…

This little light of mine, best believe brightly it’s gonna shine.

Gonna light the way for others and show the way to my lost brothers

and sisters will see it too, see that truth is not fiction,

give up all your friction

take a path that’s smooth like silk,

throw the 40s down for one glass of milk

And censor those four letters from leavin’ your mouth,

when you screamin’ those you’re leavin’ no doubt,

you got no intelligence

and ‘f’ this an ‘f’ that don’t make no sense,

stop filth gain back your sanity,

be the one that God wanted you to be,

and once you find it never let it go,

once you find it don’t lose it, cause you didn’t really choose it,

you are chosen and your hearts being woven to a new beauty so enhance it,

don’t walk away you don’t want to chance it

and find joy, better than a child hood toy,

better than your best girl your best boy,

Yaweh you can say it, you can pray it

and a new foundation you can lay it.

And then, that little light of yours,

you’re gonna shine bright for sure

and the world will see, a better you better me,

and God’s gonna smile, He will smile for awhile,

he will see us walk in style, mile after mile

we will shine, and shine for all time,

for His way is the right way

and it’s the only way, for me to stay,

in a peaceful way, have a brighter day,

I love you Lord Jesus,

that’s all I got to say.

Peace yo!

Recess

John Michael Weber.

In the corners and recesses of the complicated addicts mind

There is no peace found, no comfort, no time to play, no recess.

Compounded chaos, prophetic thoughts of crisis of things that have as yet unfolded not.

No rest, no relief, no way to understand what has been forever misunderstood.

Remorse is fleeting as pain presides and the killer of misery must be secured immediately

No time for menial things like broken lives shattered families and of course, no time for recess.

The recessed nooks and crannies of an addicts brain can be more defined as ann abyss.

Where that makes no sense at all and of course neither does this.

Shattered seemingly beyond repair, the brain is walking dead.

Every minute, every hour and every day as well,

An addict needs not wait for death, for he has found his way to hell.

And of course in hell where the addict dwells, there is simply no such thing as recess!

Would You

John Michael Weber

Let me ask you something white man.

Would you walk for a day in a black man’s shoes?

Would want to know and understand

Why these days he still has a reason to sing the blues?

Would you feel the eyes upon you

When you walk into a department store?

Would you wonder why they were looking at you

Would you notice security, shadowing you across the floor?

Would you notice and be appalled

As the mother rushes her white kids to the other side of the street?

Would you understand at all

You are not a person she wants her kids to meet?

I wonder what you might do

Can you imagine exactly how you’d act,

If you were walking in a nice neighborhood

Then you’re sprawled on the hood of a cruiser with your hands cuffed behind your back?

Hey black man let me ask you something too.

Would you walk for a day in a white man’s shoes?

Would you ever wonder why you’re held accountable

For the reasons the black man sings the blues.

Would you notice your nerves on edge

When you ended up in a ghetto in the darkness of night

Would you feel all eyes upon you

Would you know you had to decide real fast, are you going to fight or take flight?

Would you be tired before the day is through

Of the news media calling you a racist and prejudistic?

Would you feel the pain of being stereotyped

As a privileged white man when you’re so broke, would it make you go ballistic?

At the end of the day as you take off the whiteman’s shoes

Would you dare take a moment and reflect

That perhaps some of the anger towards whites

Is nothing more than disrespect.

So white man would you want

To quickly get back into your white shoes?

Black man, would you want yours back too

Go on back to your life and continue with the blues?

Or maybe you both come out different

Maybe a sliver of understanding somehow shines

Maybe with this mutual understanding

We could erase dividing lines.

Rest easy white man

Rest easy black man too

Doesn’t look as though anyone is willing

To walk a day in someone else’s shoes.

Miss Them Bars

John Michael Weber

Sometimes I miss them honky-tonks

Sometimes I miss those bars

I do not miss bloody Mary mornings

And all those nasty scars!

I miss the women of the nightlife

Have mercy yes I do

Them skin tight jeans what’s painted on

And blouses you see through.

Them girls all got prettier

With every Lone Star Beer

And I got better lookin’ too

When each mug was raised in cheer.

And I got tough yes siree

Ten feet tall don’t mess with me

I blocked each punch with my head and face

But stood my ground so no disgrace.

And ladies loved my Texas drawl

With yes mam, no mam, how are all y’all

They fell for me, I was so cool

As long as they were drunk I had em fooled.

Yep, kinda miss them honky-tonks

Kinda miss them neon bars

I do not miss 3rd floor downtown

Behind those metal bars.

You see I am allergic to my old friend alcohol

That makes the honky tonks rather tough

But every time I drink a beer

I break out in steel handcuffs!

Maybe, just maybe though

There might be hope as yet.

Lets meet at the Cross my brothers and sisters,

We got a whole lot in common I bet!

Surrendered

John Michael Weber

I surrendered

And then I won

And now I follow

God’s only Son.

All my troubles

I did let go

What came back

Was peace tenfold.

All I had to do to win the war

Was surrender

All I had to do to hold on to Peace

Is let go.

All I had to do for serenity

Is accept the Grace God laid on me

All I ever really had to do was surrender.

I learned forgiveness

And then I forgave

I was not worthy

Yet I was saved.

My life is no longer

A life of woe

I was bathed in blood

So now I grow.

All I had to do to settle my score

Was believe

All had to do If my heart needed more

Was receive.

All I had to do for inner peace on Earth

Is choose to have my life rebirthed.

All I ever really had to do was surrender!

Escape

John Michael Weber

A young man fell into God’s hands today

Tried a little too hard to chase his pain away

One too many put him over the edge

For way too long he was standing on the ledge.

When it hurts so bad and you can’t make ’em understand

When you think there’s just not enough pills in your hand

But you swallow and with each breath you are closer to relief

Then you tailspin so fast it is beyond your belief.

And gently the young man lands in God’s hands

For too long he had, all alone, tried to stand

And now in a moment it’s out of medical and scientific salvation

Its all up to God, does He take him home and relieve his damnation?

A young man tried to escape today

But for his sake we pray God doesn’t see it that way

In the moments of the fall God made a decision

He wasn’t done with this young man’s destiny of livin’

So but a whisper of breath God sent into him

And tomorrow he gets a second chance to start over again.

Dedicated to desperate hearts the world over, you are all in my prayers.

World Turning

John Michael Weber

The world today is quite bizarre

Seems all about money, boats, planes and cars

And what was the last meal eaten by some Hollywood star?

And not if we’re going out to escape tonight, but to which bar?

And the world keeps turning

And the climate is burning?

And conservatives are right but so are liberals

The world is caught up in surreality so cerebral.

Sex and drugs and gun control

Where will it stop? It won’t, we’re on a roll.

“If it feels good do it, it’s my life so screw it!”

Hedonistic desires totally unbridled, makes a lot of sense because aren’t we entitled?

Feel guilty about that just take another drink,

See how long it covers up the stink.

Failing that take a stronger drug,

For a moment you’ll feel like a warm comfortable hug.

And the world keeps turning,

But what happened to all the stuff we shoulda been learning?

Love your neighbor as yourself,

When did that get lost on the shelf?

Honor God heart, soul and mind

Love is patient and love is kind.

I don’t know maybe it’s just me,

But are the churches being the worship places they’re really supposed to be.

Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal

Can we all not see the things in life are dispicapal?

Instead of the government fixing all the problems

Why don’t the churches unite so they can solve ’em.

I guess though if I have to be honest and trust me I do

The change I seek must begin with me and not with you.

So as Michael Jackson said in a way I cannot

I will look at the man in the mirror and see what I got.

Today I will be kind to my neighbor whether I wish to or not,

I will embrace the day God gave me, no matter the temperatures are hot.

If I say something wrong I will be fast to amend,

If I do something good I will credit God right then.

I will look to the Heavens and thank the Lord for my life

And clean up my corner of troubles and strife.

At the end of today I will thank God,

I will pray for my enemies though it might feel a bit odd.

I will pray for my family and loved ones and friends,

And finally for all the desperate hearts in the world as the gift of today ends

Michael

I was eight years old when it came alive

The very cool music of the Jackson five

I listened and memorized every word

I danced and sang along so loud that the neighbors heard.

I got a little older and Ben was Michael’s friend

He could dance backwards moving forward, he was the end

Then Billy Jean got her hooks in Mike

And his records soared up to heavenly heights.

Then it was so thrilling, it was a thriller night

When the video came out it was a musical fright

His talent kept growing, but his life seemed so tragic

I longed for the days when there was ABC magic.

It aired on the news today

Michael Jackson has passed away

I know that Michael is with angels and singing

Moon-walking in Heaven while church bells are ringing

I feel like I lost a friend today

Never met Michael still it feels that way,

But Michael you and Ben “need look no more,

You have both found what you were looking for”

And your music and talent will always inspire

Young people to take their talents much higher then higher.

Peace be with you Michael my friend

May no more pain find you ever again

You are now with God and loved ones and friends

And you best believe your music lives on till the end.

North of Insane

I still, feel pain

Still an anger within that I cannot explain.

Much better, it’s true

But the war within never seems to be through.

Wasn’t that long ago

I was south of insanity

Living out fantasies

And tragic calamities

And as bad I seemed outside of me

No matter what I thought other people would see

Nothing compared to the hurt, anger and pain

And the mountain was high to get just north of insane.

I still, regret

And there’s a lot of repairs I haven’t made yet.

I loved, I love

And it all comes with Grace from Heaven above.

I won’t quit, on me

When I want to stand tall I fall on my knees.

I’ll deal, with pain

And move always a little farther north of insane.

Look back, Look Forward

JMW

I have seen much better days

But Lord knows I have seen much worse.

Seen things that were wonderful

Seen friends hauled off in a hearse.

Had times of wonderful joy

Been horrified by things I have done.

Laughed so loud I thought I’d die

Cried tears at times like rivers run.

Look back with fondness

The Lord has brought you through.

Look forward in wonder

Of what God has next for you.

I have had a life and I cannot complain

And looking back don’t hurt no more.

Moments of clarity and some moments blocked out

But nothing’s been boring for sure.

Independence

John Michael Weber

We hold these truths self evident

All men are equal & independent

Free from those who would indent

Free from Kings with mal intent!

1776, July day 4

Colonists would take no more

Tierney had reigned before

But a Declaration settled the score!

Signed by founders of this land,

A proclamation to take a stand

Against Britain’s long lasting brand

They stood opposed as a rabble band.

Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness

United in a land that God hath Blessed,

For more than 2 centuries we’ve passed the test

And though far from perfect, still the best!

Barbeques, picnics and fireworks abound

Echoing a familiar sound

The bells toll and freedom rings in America all around

The USA where God can still be found!

Have a Blessed 4th of July

As you celebrate just remember why

We are able to live openly, not on the fly

Our founders stood opposed and it was to do or to die!

Thought for Today

Trust your dreams, they will not lead you astray

Follow your heart and let passion play

Let not you be discouraged by what others might say

For a dream is just God Almighty lighting your way.

Bible Says

Acts 2:17-18

“In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

Even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.”

Days and days spent in a numbing haze

And the happy times of my youth,

Combined to make the whole of me

And that is just alright with me and that’s the truth.

Times of sadness of friends I have lost

And the joy of a new born baby’s cry.

And long ago I lost the need

To know the reasons why.

Look back at mercy

And know it came from heaven above.

Look ahead to better times

As you come to recognize God’s love.

I have had a life and I am grateful

And looking back can make me smile.

And when I smile my heart smiles too

And that carries me for miles.

Caylee Anthony

JMW

Caylee Anthony, the sweetest little girl the world never knew,

yet somehow we all feel as if we did.

Implanted in our hearts and minds, that cute little smile, those deep brown eyes

Caught up in the madness of the most gruesome of lies

And she is gone and in some way, the world sheds one united tear from millions of cries.

We see her in every child now, about to turn three

We pray for her, we do pray

Everytime a child laughs another tear begs to fall

And yet without warning and no sense of it all

She was taken home to the Father as her Angels gently called.

Now each night we imagine that Caylee the lamb

Is cradled and nurtured by God.

With our loss Heaven truly does gain

And Caylee does not feel any pain

Blessed are we that mourn through a spiritual rain.

Peace be with you Child.