My Entire Existence Is Up Here, Buddy!

I know how shuffling evolved from walking,

How people-watching turns into shoe-watching.

I know how hoping turns to hiding,

Or ambition into self-confiding.

I know how mem'ries turn to shame.

I, too, have sought unused parts of my name

As a symbol of self to dispose of, erase.

Let's meet each other where we live—behind a face.

The Truth in Two Lies

I see the smile behind the doubts.

You gave me a chance, and I figured it out,

Had this honor, discov'ring who you'll be someday.

I'm thrilled, though you'll leave me behind on the way.

On the way back, you can always find me.

I haven't got anywhere better to be.

I see the truth and the lie in your smile,

Too kind for contempt when not mixed with denial.

Your grin bears and bares it. When you greet, you grieve

For a time, 'til for better things you, too, shall leave.

Until then, you and I are bound here to remain.

I've no better choices, and you have no say.

The Advice I Wish They'd Give You at Graduation

I wish I could go back and tell you

What you meant to the people you knew.

I wish I could go back and tell you

That I've lived parts of what you've been through.

I wish I could go back and tell you

That everyone and everything they taught you—said—

Will never be enough,

That you must teach yourself to be enough.

I wish I could go back and tell you—

Show you—that it can be done.

I wish I could go back and tell you

That our times were the best of my life,

But I can't.

I wish I could go back and tell you,

But I no longer wish I could go back.

Wisdom from the Top of a Filing Cabinet

I believe ballplayers move like symphony song.
This smile will name no hunger under home sky.
She is hurting my thirsty heart.
Water grows you up.
Rhythm filling me—
Need to fly.

Buy Some Land! Buy Some Land!...

A dealer who goes by Ill Kenny,

Whose rims cost him a beautiful penny,

Parked his customized Caddy

Near an ambitious laddy.

Where he had rims, he hasn't got any.

There but for the Grace of God

There once was a teacher of rot

Who said things that he later forgot.

He read his quoted word

In a paper absurd

and remarked “I like this one a lot!”

The Whole—and Nothing But

I can't quite testify in a court of law

That one year my friend lived on nothing but slaw.

I'm unable to swear on my mother's grave

That I remember every last gift that I gave.

I can't place my hand on the Good Book (or even one that's just okay)

While I tell the story of my biggest Bueller day.

I can't take an oath and tell before a judge

That I drove clear 'cross the country pursuing a grudge,

But cross my heart and hope to die,

I'm not the kind to tell a lie;

I'm a bard.