Love Changed Me

Love Changed Me

I was running fast and free,

Trying to keep you far away.

Somehow I lost my point of view.

On our first date I wanted to kiss you.

Because love inspired me.

You said you had a cold but I said it was okay.

I could wait for yet another day.

You wanted to text during finals of my senior year.

I could not risk failing so I refused.

But love taught me.

By the lake in the heat of summer I proposed.

It was too soon and I needed to be patient.

I don’t remember who it was

That declared I was not good enough.

But love improved me.

Your leg is draped across my legs.

Last night tender words were said.

You took up space I reserved for me.

But I enjoyed sharing my bed.

Love captured me.

Your smile was the last thing I remember

From our wild and perfect night,

During our wedding some things went wrong,

But all the things that mattered went right.

Because love filled me.

There are those who thought our love shoudn’t be.

Time will erase all their doubts, if I love you tenderly.

Love changed me.

Beware of the Hypnotist

I’m not usually a prude,

Although I’m rather quiet and shy,

What happened one night when out with friends,

Made me seem like a different guy,

I went up on stage with others of my group,

“Take a deep breath,” I heard someone say,

“Relax and enjoy what your mind lets you do,

Each of you will have fun today!”

I’m not sure how long I stayed,

But my mind was completely at ease,

One of my friends asked if I’d dance again,

“That was an awesome striptease,”

“That’s ridiculous,” I angrily said to her,

She grinned, “Oh, you don’t realize you were a hit,

But I know what I saw, and I saw enough,

I’ve got pictures on the cam to prove it,”

Those cam pictures looked a lot like me,

I was dancing amidst the raucous din,

Evidently I was having the time of my life,

But how could I show so much skin?

The hypnotist snapped her fingers,

I got dressed with pomp and style,

I fell back into a total trance,

Except for my great big smile,

If you should go downtown for fun,

And there’s a late, late, show,

Be prepared to divulge your secrets,

That only you should know….

You Weren't On My Schedule

I passed you today as I took my morning walk,

You looked cold and hungry but I didn’t want to talk,

I was looking up, you were looking down,

I was wearing a smile, you were wearing a frown,

I didn’t take the time to ask you what was wrong,

I was In the middle of humming a very special song,

I couldn’t be interrupted, for I had too much to do,

But I promised to ask sometime what was bothering you,

No, not next week, for there are things I have booked,

I checked my schedule in case anything’s been overlooked,

“How are you?”, “I’m fine,” but I really didn’t have time to chat,

I had people to see and things to do, you know, this and that,

I was eager to share my world with someone, but no, not now,

You took away my joy because you were in my way somehow,

You looked awful, perhaps struggling to find something to say,

But when tears rolled down your cheeks, you nearly ruined my day,

“Good grief!” I muttered, but I know I wasn’t being rude,

I chose to be patient because I wanted to keep my good mood,

 “Shape up, I don’t have time for this,” I snapped in dismay,

“Oh, my!”  You were looking sad and putting on a display,

“I don’t care what your problem is, you’ll just have to wait,”

“I’ve got to go and smile at folks, and now you’ve made me late!”

I rushed away, leaving you behind, despair plainly on your face,

I was hoping you’d find someplace else, be gone without a trace,

When I returned you weren’t there, much to my relief,

I didn’t want to see you again or put up with your grief,

 Life is short and there was so much I still needed to do,

Did you expect me to waste my time, on someone like you?

Outside the sun is bright, what a beautiful Easter day,

Yet inside my joy is false, I feel shame for my deceptive ways,

When you were hungry and in pain, I wasn’t there for you,

I was thinking just about myself, and all the things to do,

I cheated you by turning away, I should have listened with my heart,

Yesterday won’t come again, so I’m asking for a brand new start,

I really want to love others more, wherever they might be,

The best way that I know how, is to begin with you and me.

I'm Not Fooled By You

You stand there with that smug smile,

And pretend you are listening,

But I’m not fooled by you,

You are simply waiting for me to finish,

So you can say what you rehearsed,

Before I asked you to discuss us.

Don’t think I’m fooled by you,

For I’ve seen you a thousand times,

Giving out messages without listening,

Never appreciating our differences,

Always sure you had the right answers,

Ignoring tone of voice, gestures, and words,

Yes, words that poured out from my heart,

I’m not fooled by you,

You think by being logical and advising,

That you are in control of our relationship,

But feelings don’t have to be logical or reasonable,

You tell me what you want me to hear or to know,

But when you hide the truth, or deny my feelings,

The beautiful ways we could relate come to a halt,

Perhaps you’re fooled by me,

If I gave you the impression you could trash me,

Put me down because you thought I was weak,

Maybe you didn’t like my confidence,

Because you were weak inside and attacked,

Afraid I’d find out that you were pretending to be strong,

Perhaps you were fooled by me,

I already knew you had to lean on my strength,

But that was okay, for I also leaned on you,

We have been wasting energy trying to discuss,

Where the you and me should become us,

I know that pain is necessary to grow,

But I am so tired of hearing your answers,

When you haven’t heard my questions,

Perhaps you thought I was fooled by you,

You were sure I would fit your mold,

You were so calm and so in control,

But you did not try to accept who I am,

I wanted us to share so much,

But my feelings are still bottled up,

And I think I might explode,

Don’t be surprised if I ignore you,

When I see you my heart bleeds,

But no longer will I heed,

My heart was fooled for awhile,

But you can’t beguile,

With your smile,

Anymore.