Posts Tagged ‘#poetry’

Perspective is Amazing

Posted: January 29, 2016 in Opinions and Observations, Uncategorized
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As I look back on the songs and projects I have been involved in I also want to share with you projects from the core of artists I grew up with that influenced me to do more and get better in my craft. I have a good number of writings to pick from.  Here is a set of lyrics from my older brother David.  I have mentioned him a few times already so I wanted to give you some examples of his writing.

This is a song called “Singing Wheels”.  It was written in February of 1977. We have a lot of themes about driving and being on the road.  We often contrast between city life and nature as we are drawn almost equally to both. The song has beautiful chords and the melody is haunting with a fluid motion that fits the lyrics quite well.  I will post the song in the future.  At this point, the boy is able to see the man he became!  Perspective is amazing from decades later.

“Singing Wheels”  © 1977 C David Kennedy

The lights of the city spread like stars below me

Traffic swirls around me as I leave.

And time moves slowly in a car that’s moving swift

I guess you call it relativity.

 

If the boy I was could see

The man that he became

He’d be pretty happy I suppose.

But the best things about him

Were just ballast for the flight

His hopes are dim and his dreams are tame.

 

And while Singing Wheels spin over whispered lullabies

My car eats the highway in the rain

Windshield wipers tell a tale rhythmic and serene

And thunder mourns the crying of the skies.

The Wrong Reply

Posted: January 25, 2016 in Poetry
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I want to be alone tonight

Don’t want to be at home tonight

I think I’ll walk around

Follow every sound

I just can’t believe the things I see

 

I could never deny

With a gift for the wrong reply

You have to think all day

Of what you’re going to say

But you’ll never get the chance

 

I’m not looking for something that isn’t there. 

I’m not looking for something that isn’t there. 

Not in the quiet of the light

Or the movement in the night.

 

Didn’t see when it began

Couldn’t tell you where I am

I’ve gone so many miles

Heard something all the while

And I know it wasn’t you or me.    

 

© Michael S Kennedy

My Heart is Silent – A Song in the Making

Posted: January 21, 2016 in My Tunes, Uncategorized
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I had a theme for lyrics slowly coming together for the last few days.  On the edge of being complete I centered on the idea of how wonderful and supportive it is to have your loved ones with you to start each day.  To wake up together and face the challenges and the glory of each day. Yeah, I am a romantic in many ways, but those are the things I think about when I don’t concentrate.  For me – THAT IS THE KEY.  My lyric and melody ideas come from observation and experience, not from a lyric making template and time schedule tune-creator cookie cutter band in your box session.

I sat, as I am now;  sitting at my computer looking out the window and my small yard.  Birds at the feeder, squirrels trying to get what the birds spill, and most often a gentle breeze.  And I came up with the first chorus in 30 seconds or so.  It just summed up the things that make me happy with what I have done so far in my life and why looking forward is so precious.

The second verse was another theme that became clear once I had the idea for the chorus.  I have had a few conversations lately with friends and family with a noticeably different view of the future.  AS I get older and plan the future as much as possible I realize now some of the things I am planning will be the last time in my life that I will probably do it again.

I don’t look forward to doing things for the first time as we did growing up, I am looking forward to the last time.  And that brought me to the second chorus; I look forward to watching children and grand children learning and doing things for the first time.  (Helping when you can and staying the hell out of the way for most of it!)

The first and last verses try to summarize a belief that I have; If you are quiet and listen to each other, you will earn their love.

Now that I have written the lyrics and shown to a friend, he put a great song and melody to it.  We are going into my studio over the next few weeks to arrange the song and record a rough demo.  Then we will have other friends add finishing parts (like vocals again…. anyone know a great vocalist??!!) and do the final recording and mix.

I thought it would be fun to post the various stages of this project so you can see a little how these things develop from concept to final mix.   I will post the lyrics now and promise not to share too many variations as this is a trial and error process with lots of suggestions and compromises.

For now, the lyrics:

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“My Heart Is Silent” © MSK 12-30-2015

 

I will close my eyes

If you will be there when they reopen.

My Heart Is Silent

Still listening to thoughts you have spoken.

 

As the Firsts in life

Moving full circle to become their Last,

Looking forward is

Much quicker than unwinding the past.

 

My Heart Is Silent

My needs are few;

A space to breathe

And living with you.

 

Waiting for you

Unwilling to think you might not return.

Letting you go

I’ve always known your love is something I had to earn.

 

My Heart Is Silent

My needs are few;

Watching children grow

And living with you.

 

I will close my eyes

If you will be there when they reopen.

My Heart Is Silent

Listening to thoughts you have spoken.

Echoes

Posted: January 15, 2016 in Photography, Poetry
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

In the back of my mind

there is a river

That flows quietly.

Echoes of the water

carried by the wind

Sung so beautifully.

 

Silently from the moonlight

Down into the ocean

May our eyes see.

 

From the mountains

tempting the dawn

Caressing the sky

Precious moments

last but only a blink of an eye.

 

(c) MSK

Heritage Haiku

Posted: December 28, 2015 in Poetry, Uncategorized
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My dad (MidiMike) asked me to share a poem with all of you that I wrote for him when I was younger. He has always been a huge influence in my life. I’m certain that my love of music comes from him, as does my love of poetry.  I hope this poem gives you a little insight on what it was like to be raised by a musician.- Alisa

Heritage Haiku

My dad wrote over

One hundred songs in my life.

I still quote the words.

 

“If you think that your

Paradise is a place then

You’ll never find it.”

 

His basement band shook

My bedroom floor, creating

Huge waterbed waves.

 

Lessons learned from Sting,

David Bowie, and Pink Floyd.

“We could be heroes.”

 

Ran sound on weekends

I slept under his sound board.

Protected by wires.

 

For years he worked at

A music store. Customers

Were my fathers too.

 

Microphones, ADATs,

His baby grand piano.

Guitars not Barbies.

A Hint Of Truth

Posted: December 21, 2015 in Poetry, Uncategorized
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From the middle,

each end is far away

Somewhere in-between,

we learn how to pray.

In every story

there is a hint of truth

Behind every lie

is a mountain of proof.

It’s always during the cold lonely nights

That you find out what you’re missing.

I am missing you.

(c)

Everything Has It’s Place

Posted: December 14, 2015 in Photography, Poetry
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The moon is high

The river is wide

The feeling is right

Everything has its place.

 

Gorgeous colors

From Spring to Fall

Changes year to year

Each at their own pace.

The sky is blue

The sun is hidden

The grass is growing

Everything has its place.

 

We miss so much

Turning in circles

Looking for fortune

Everyone makes mistakes.

It’s easy to do, I’ve done it too.

Everyone makes mistakes

It’s easy to do, so will you,

Everyone makes mistakes.

 

 

Tease Me With The Truth

Posted: December 7, 2015 in My Tunes, Uncategorized
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Lack Of Concern ©

You look from behind me, Baby
At what I’m going toward.
Seeing what you want to see
And then you look no more.

Tease me with the truth baby
Don’t tempt me with a lie,
So if you want to play games
I’ll just walk on by.

It’ a lack of concern
Or a lack of control
Is it in the heart,
Or deep within the soul?

You’re not making love with me
You’re just wasting time
Always taking theirs, aren’t you
But I won’t give you mine.

My tears are in your hands
My heart is open wide
But everytime I look, I see
There’s nothing left inside.

Tease me with the truth, Baby
Don’t tempt me with a lie,
So if you want to play games
I’ll just wave bye-bye.

 

Long Overdue

Posted: November 17, 2015 in Poetry, Uncategorized
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I could write a letter.

Or sing a song.

I could read a book

fix what is wrong.

I could go for a swim.

Or watch the stars.

I could change all the strings

On my old guitars.

 

First I will tell you I love you

You know it’s true.

And the next time I can hold you,

is long overdue.

 

There’s always that mountain.

Or just beyond.

Become a teacher

create a bond.

I could go on a quest.

Or sail the seas.

Think the impossible

And do as I please.

 

I could learn to play games.

Or learn a craft.

See how far I could run

sail on a raft.

Maybe just volunteer

Or start a meme.

There are a million things

and more in between.

 

First, I will tell you I love you.

Although you know it’s true.

For the next time I can hold you,

is long overdue.

(c) 2011

Aware – Endless Nights Are Gone

Posted: October 19, 2015 in Poetry
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It’s hard to speak out when you live in fear.
You can’t protect me if you are never here.
You can not give me what you never had.
Juries rarely protect the good from the bad.

You can’t take me where you’re not willing to go.
You can not teach me what you don’t even know.
It’s better to be quiet, kneel down and pray
And then hope to god that it all goes away.

But I can take care of myself.
I’ve learned from people like you.
Now, I can take care of myself.
I am aware, like you.

Learn to hold on to me and to never let go.
There’s so much inside me I want you to know.
Hoped to support you and not get in your way
I tried to stay quiet when there was so much to say

You helped me take care of myself
And I always believed in you.
Now we can take care of our selves
Aware; our children, and you.

So many secrets are whispered, then buried inside
You keep on running but just want to curl up and hide
You know you have the answer but you don’t have a clue.
You had it right once but couldn’t believe it was true.

The past is hidden but has still taken its toll.
Stand up and look around at the beauty of it all.
Every day is better and the endless nights are gone.
Face each day as you did the last, dedicated and strong.

(c) MSK

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