Stars of the Lid

If you listen to anything from me today let it be this: Listen to Stars of the Lid. They are incredible. There music takes me someplace else. It transports me. I often play their music before I start writing poems. I like to think it creates fertile soil for poetry to be planted in and sprout from.

River – Clifton Gorge

Clifton Gorge Waterfall

Clifton Mill

Strands

I am tethered to the earth by knots that bind me. They make sure I can’t go far.
I know these ropes. I know the strands by name. I call out to them.

I cannot reach high above my head. I cannot even block the sun from my eyes.
I can only grab the dirt at my feet. I can only let it slip between my hands.

Oh to be free.

How would it sound?

Oh to be free.

To travel far from this patch of ground.

I can dream from where I am. I dream about the hill on the horizon.
I imagine leaping off into where I cannot see. I imagine falling into the void.

I wonder who can free me from my shackles. I want to call their name into the air.
What would I do to thank them? I hope my life can stand as testament.

Oh to be set free.

Is it you who understands?

Oh to be set free.

You who’ll separate my knotted strands.

Content

Contentment is a deep inhale and a slow exhale.
It’s baptizing a lost sister.
It’s a hike into the woods.

Contentment is sitting by a fire.
It’s friends filled with conversation.
It’ s a chorus and refrain.

Contentment is being fully and completely known.
It’s laying everything to bare.
It’s being loved despite.

Contentment is climbing to the top.
It’s overlooking a city.
It’s a river running through.

Contentment is a father’s toast at a wedding.
It‘s a groomsman’s nervous speech.
It’s the last elderly couple dancing.

Contentment is a servant’s ovation.
It’s a woman’s weathered fingers.
It’s a man’s calloused heel.

Contentment is the first flowering bud.
It’s covered in green.
It’s spring’s new life.

Contentment is love that stands an age.
Love wrought with pain.

It is also love that’s just begun.

I dare you

Where’s my reward, great one?
Why am I burdened so?
Imma tear my enemy’s head clean off.
Fuck it. Ya feel me?

Got pain in my veins.
Got mud in my blood.
Are you gunna cut me till I bleed?
Do you suppose I can take it?

I am your bastard son America.
I am your bastard son.
I am your long lost brother, Miss Liberty.
I am your long lost brother.

I ain’t never met someone with pain like mine.
Maybe cause I haven’t met your blessed son,
In the flesh.
Tell me, who’s next?

I run a million miles just to crawl a million more.
Uphill. In the pouring rain. Hands and knees.
Tell me somethin’, will I ever see?
Somethin’ wrong’s been going on. There’s Somethin’ wrong.

The blues are the only thing that get me.
There the only thing that understands.
The blues are the only thing I’ll ever need.
Turn a little boy, into a man.

I have been laid in chains.
Me and your son share a feeling.
Left to rot, in a cell.
Left to die in a burnin’ hell.

You say you’ll set me free?
Do it. I dare you.
See what happens when I’m finally loose.
See what happens when you feel
that slow burn.