Samples from Beautiful Days - On Leave From Iraq
“Born With Everything, Wanting Nothing”
by Andrea J. Kramer on September 24, 2008 Hearing fateful voices...
the night I became alive Second sight, that very night, caused my Mom to survive An angel came and whispered that her due date would be late Daddy lit his pipe to smoke, for what would seem, a pretty long wait Born with everything, wanting nothing But to feel loved and safe Voices from above would agree All I needed to be was... free Both parents being controlling... didn’t know this wasn’t love “Emotional roller-coaster,” is the term I’m thinking of But for a couple miscalculations, I might not have turned out right I stand here today before you, but for the grace of God and His great light Born with everything, wanting nothing But to feel loved and safe Voices from above would agree All I needed to be was... free When I think of my survival... and what I wanted, to feel whole It’s nature versus nurture... like a mare with her new foal Be whoever you are being, as long as that’s your very best Everyone’s a star in their own way and so, they’re rightly blessed Born with everything, wanting nothing But to feel loved and safe Voices from above would agree All I needed to be was... free “Where You Been”
by Andrea J. Kramer on April 2, 2005, revised from December, 1981 Honey, where you been?
It’s been such a long, long time Honey, where you been? There’s no reason, there’s no rhyme I’ve waited here in this old place, to move on in life, and still save face but every day is like the last, you’re in my mind, you’re in my past I can’t blame you for leavin’ me, for taken work’s no mystery but telephones and planes exist, so why don’t you at least persist In reaching me and love again, the bond we shared, remember when we took our time and savored it, we were so good, we were a fit I’m waiting here, a day, a year I’m waiting here, will you appear so I can play like I rehearsed come willingly, and not coerced Appear to me in broad daylight appear to me, now in plain sight appear to me in the moonlight appear to me some day or night Honey, where you been--- It’s been such a long, long time Honey, where you been--- There’s no reason, there’s no rhyme “Hell Have No Fury”
by Andrea J. Kramer on April 29, 2005 I’ve been thinkin’
You’ve been drinkin’ I’m sick of pickin’ up after you This ain’t a mix-up This ain’t a fix-up I think it’s time to call it quits---we’re through You’re in my house from dusk ‘til dawn All I do is pray that you will soon be gone Here I am carin’ for you like some newborn Hell have no fury like a woman scorned I’ve been thinkin’ You’ve been drinkin’ You’ve been ignorin’ me from dusk ‘til dawn Not helpin’ with the yard work Not helpin’ with the upkeep Get off your butt and mow the lawn! You’re in my house from dusk ‘til dawn All I do is pray that you will soon be gone Here I am carin’ for you like some newborn Hell have no fury like a woman scorned I’ve been thinkin’ You’ve been drinkin’ What did I do to deserve your love? This ain’t a mix-up This ain’t a fix-up This ain’t a union from the Lord above You’re in my house from dusk ‘til dawn All I do is pray that you will soon be gone Here I am carin’ for you like some newborn Hell have no fury like a woman scorned “Beautiful Days (on Leave from Iraq)”
by Andrea J. Kramer on May 13, 2005 Mama was bakin’ a cherry pie
and I looked up at the bright blue sky and thought baby, what a beautiful day Dad was cuttin’ the lawn in the back and I realized I still had to pack and thought baby, I have to go away If only I didn't have to leave so soon but I have to be on a bus by noon and catch a U.S. plane to hot desert terrain I may not see you again this year but, Darlin’ I ask you to have no fear because I love you so just say--- what a beautiful day it is when you are here Now look ahead and not backward, although I’ll be on tactical alert across the desert plain---don’t make me have to explain Mama will be reading a new cookbook and Daddy will be telling you to take a good look and see---I’m defending our country... Baby, thank God I had these beautiful days to spend with you--- that’s what’s always going to get me through so I need you just to pray---and say I’ll see you again one beautiful day “If I Looked As Good As You Do”
by Andrea J. Kramer on September 13, 2007 (Third stanza added on Rosh Hashanah) There are people who are angels,
then there are people who are not. Some are looking out for number one, when put on the spot. Everybody’s got a gift to share, whether it’s good or not... Some even have those gifts to spare, depending on what they’ve got. If I looked as good as you do, then I’d share yourself with me If I stood up straight and tall, then I’m no case for charity If I put up with it all, would you share yourself with me? Well the writing’s on the wall, you and me got chemistry There are children who are smaller, but their spirits aren’t weak. There are elders at the town hall, who will turn the other cheek. All of us fall in between them, some are smart, and others’ pretty. Whether hiding wings or different motives, we’re just trying to make a living. If I looked as good as you do, then I’d share yourself with me If I stood up straight and tall, then I’m no case for charity If I put up with it all, would you share yourself with me? ‘Cause the writing’s on the wall, babe, you and me got chemistry From the country to the city, people see what they believe. No matter what they tell us, we all have that one same need. Everybody’s got a point to make, and hope that they look good. When it’s live and there no out-takes, people do just as they should. If I looked as good as you do, then I’d share yourself with me If I stood up straight and tall, then I’m no case for charity If I put up with it all, would you share yourself with me? ‘Cause the writing’s on the wall, babe, you and me got chemistry “Tell Me I Don't Know You”
by Andrea J. Kramer on August 29 & 30, 2007 What makes up a country life---
some good memories when it all went right. Others that leave a lump in my throat, or get my goat when I’m up late at night. Trying to plan the next day in my head, sooner or later, you’ll be coming to bed. I can wait until I hear your footsteps in the hall, liquor on your breath, you’re still eleven feet tall. Tell me I don’t know you, when we are a team Hell, I can only show you what you mean to me Tell me I don't know you, when we are meant to be Sell me stock in the Brooklyn Bridge, if you think you don’t know me You’re fast asleep, I’m still making my list. If you were a Mr. Mom, that’d be quite a twist. I love being a country girl, and a good man’s wife, but lately you seem restless, and not quite right. Tell me I don’t know you, when we are a team Hell, I can only show you what you mean to me Tell me I don't know you, when we are meant to be Sell me stock in the Brooklyn Bridge, if you think you don’t know me Whatever’s bothering you, we can work it through. This country woman’s life is so devoted to you. Like our parents before us, and our grandparents, too, You know me…and I sure know you. Tell me I don’t know you, when we are a team Hell, I can only show you what you mean to me Tell me I don’t know you, when we are meant to be Sell me stock in the Brooklyn Bridge, if you think you don’t know me--- “Everybody Needs To Know”
or “Strong Points Are” by Andrea J. Kramer on October 8 and 18 and November 14, 2008 Everybody needs to know their limits,
and likewise what their strong points are... Those they need to embrace and not erase, when they are not always feeling up to par... Skill, is not just a matter of will... but a God given gift to us all If you don’t learn this in life... oh, how the weak will inherit and oh yes... how the mighty will fall Russian Roulette is an obvious regret if the bullet game is not won When you bluff your life, there's one sure thing... your winning streak will be done So think it through and look how I do at admitting my weaknesses and flaws Knowing what our true strong points are... give us all good reason for pause There will come a day when we can say, “I feel privileged to pray to God” It will come our way to feel thankful and blessed... for that all appreciative nod Stay away from the pride that tares us apart, and instead acknowledge our best Then leave it up to your natural born gifts... and the world should do the rest... “I Saw Billy Joel on Oprah”
by Andrea J. Kramer on March 28, 2008 I saw Billy Joel on Oprah
with his twenty-three year old wife She did all the talking, while he reflected on his life Oprah brought up his music, but his wife just wanted to speak She said her cooking was all he cared about, and what there was to drink I sat there for a moment with my mouth gaped open a bit Here was Billy Joel, an icon and my idol, turning on a spit He seemed tranquilized and mellow to the point of no return I watched Oprah shine a light on him, and wait for the that long, slow burn Come out Virginia and wake me from this dream Tell me it ain’t so, and that Billy Joel’s redeemed He had a drinking problem, this we know is true But marrying a girl his daughter’s age, would get him on the news I waited for him to agree with Oprah, that he was still a legend At least he got up off his seat, and sang a song without hesitation But after the commercial break, when he got back into his chair He answered questions like some old guy, and just sat back and stared Come out Virginia and wake me from this dream Tell me it ain’t so, and that Billy Joel’s still mean Come out Virginia and give me that famous sign Tell me it ain’t so, and that Billy Joel’s just fine “I Like Barbara Bush”
by Andrea J. Kramer on June 19, 2005, revised on May 8, 2010 I like my Coke and Wild Turkey
I like my smokes and my beef jerky Now you might think this sounds real quirky... but I like Barbara Bush I like the way she raised our President, married one and wasn’t hesitant... supported the Bush men... all the way back when She let her grandkids make public fun of her, I like the way she backs their father and mother, and lets them do and say what is the American way... I like the way she doesn’t let the Democrats--- turn her family into back-biting bureaucrats--- just keeps them pointed straight--- right towards a withdrawal from Kuwait! I like my Coke and Wild Turkey I like my smokes and my beef jerky Normally, I like my women perky but not Miss Barbara Bush! |
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