The Forest Primevil* © 1997, TJL 

he bird was alone in the forest for years,
With naught but silence to burden its' ears.
Day upon day, the feathered one stood,
In a castle of dimly lit forest and wood.

The lonely bird hadn't the slightest of clues,
That life wasn't all just charcoal for hues.
Years had passed, and then came a dawn;
A queen to the kingdom; a crown to the pawn.

The bird was awakened; for years unaware,
He preened for the lady, and gave her his care.
His forest he gave her, with all of his soul.
She'd want for nothing; he'd given his whole.

His mate made the bird's life sing; made it glow;
Drew song from his heart as he'd never known.
For that one single moment the little bird soared,
Higher and farther than ever before.

And then, for a reason that no one could say,
The light of his life just... flew away.

* Spelled this way intentionally. 

My Soul You Keep in Your Pocket © 1/6/98 , TJL

How can I speak what's in my heart,
when you turn a deaf ear to my speech?
How can I give to the one I love,
when you keep yourself just beyond reach?

My picture's no more in your locket,
I sense that it's been rearranged.
Yet my soul you keep in your pocket,
like more of the same loose change.

It isn't the same in my life anymore;
you saw to it that wouldn't be.
The lock that you put on your soul before,
has been changed since you gave me the key.

You said that we wanted the same things;
I wanted you, and you, me.
But now that the novelty's faded for you,
I guess it's all you, and not me.

The One That Got Away ©1998, TJL

It doesn't often happen, you find the person who,
The good Lord put upon this earth to be the one for you.
We often fail to find them, though we may look for years,
And spend our lives bemoaning it in self-pathetic tears.

Yet once in all a lifetime, one will come along,
That makes up for the times we chose, but got the choices wrong.
The only thing in life that's worse than choosing wrong, I say,
Is to make the one who's meant for us the one that got away.

Angels Come From Boxes? ©1998, TJL

That angels come from boxes was quite the thing to see;
I'd always thought they were assigned, to everyone but me.
As life's gone on I've wondered how others seemed to have,
A cherub on their shoulder to keep them from the bad.
Angels are protection from the thoughts that seem to plague,
The folks like me that walk alone through each & every day.

The day it finally happened, I almost didn't see,
My angel come from in the box to be assigned to me.
So now I'll keep her with me, & smile where once I frowned,
To know that I am not alone, & needn't feel so down.
My angel I can't look at, nor even reach & touch,
And though she lies beyond my reach, I'll love her just as much.

Some Thoughts Before You Go ©TJL, 1998

I sense you looking in here, although I've not the eyes
To try & see your color, your cut of dress, nor size.
I know not your religion, nor just what makes you tick,
Your favorite things escape me, as does what makes you sick.

I'm at a disadvantage, although it is my choice.
You've glimpsed what makes my person, & heard my inner voice.
Laid bare for your inspection have been some private thoughts,
Without a single inkling of who you really are.

I did this all in hoping that you might leave behind,
A couple of your daily cares, and ease your daily grind.
So, if by chance you read this, and find it makes your day,
I hope you tell a friend of me, and have kind words to say.

For simple things of tenderness can bridge so many miles,
And are really all it takes, you see, to reap rewards of smiles.
For if a single tender thought should I chance to cause,
A smile to smooth a furrowed brow, or thoughts to give one pause,

If what I've shared by happenstance should ease a burdened mind,
Or random acts of kindness soothe a worry left behind,
Then my day is better for the things that I have done,
And kinder hearts are out there now for new friends I have won.