Out in the country,
back in the sticks,
the bonfire is smokin'
and so are the chicks.

Keg in a trashcan,
floating on ice,
in the back of a truck,
guys rolling dice.

Yellow Solo cups,
as the stars shine bright,
Eric Church is blasting,
Jack Daniels kicked my *** last night.

Glow sticks float all over the pond,
clothing is optional as people jump in,
the night just heated up,
who knows how this ends.

Naked chicken fights,
girls on guys shoulders,
this party is smokin',
as the bonfire smolders.

Pallets thrown on,
to light up the show,
and it's one to see,
as Flo-rida sings low.

Head shaved smooth,
beard on point,
about to hit this *****-tonk joint

Hat cleaned up,
boots shined up right,
bling belt buckle, shiny and bright.

At the bar, two shots back,
redhead slides by,
I begin to mack.

Buy her her a drink,
wants Beam on ice,
she shows a smile that lights up the night.

Asked her to dance,
a song by Jerry Reed,
belly rubbing music is what we need.

Spin her around,
a time or two,
she leans in close when we are through.

Our lips meet,
lightning strikes,
the place goes dark, closes for the night.

Hand in hand,
to my pick up truck,
the city is dark and thunderstruck.

Cruising back roads,
watching the storm rage,
Bob Seger sings, Turn the page.

So that's what I do,
I make my move,
she moves back and is down to groove.

Dancing in the rain,
in pick up lights,
beginning something special, on this night.

Columbia fishing pants netting my *****,
the waves are crashing, hear the Seagull calls,
casting and working a wiggler ball tail,
plum and chartreuse, give the sea trout hell.

Wading the cut, yeah, the boats on the beach,
haven't gone far, the coolers still in reach,
the sun's beating down, pick from some Gatorade,
need a cloth to wipe the spots off my shades.

Stringer of trout, all fifteen inches plus,
hung a flounder and snook, but they got off I cussed,
me and my buddies are fishing all day,
feel like a kid with no school so come on let's play.

Back at the dock, cleaning fish by the dozen,
filet after filet the electric knife is buzzin',
on the dock now catching mangrove snapper,
making lots of memories none could be happier.

Margaritas on the rocks, eating Brittany's dip,
watched the Astros beat the Yankees, hell of a trip,
fished all week with the guys had a ton of fun,
loaded up headed home on a 12 hour run.

Have you ever seen your girl,
dressed up nice and neat,
like a sweet candy
that you want as a treat.

You just want to unwrap it,
and give a little taste,
enjoy the smells and flavors,
none of which, you'd waste.

Salty and sweet,
hints of clove and tangerine,
like Def Leppard said,
pour some on me, saccharine.

Savoring every nuance,
exciting every tastebud on the tongue,
exploring every side and layer,
roaming all of her, I'm sprung.

Knocked out of my thoughts,
suddenly a kiss is on my lips,
she asks me if I'm ready,
I follow sashaying hips.

She asks me why I stare at her,
I say no particular reason, why,
then what were you thinking about,
I wink at her and smile so sly.

Bullets flew as the music played,
Jason Aldean upon the stage,
the music stopped, chaos began,
screams and gunshots, people ran.

For ten minutes it rained death,
chaos ruled the aftermath,
the blood flowed and people died,
and all we can do is ask why?

Some blame the guns, others the man,
politicization, soon out of hand,
you can not legislate morality,
in a broken and divided society.

We say prayers for the injured,
and send condolences for the dead,
these are the matters at hand,
as rumors and hate swirl through the land.

Was this an Islamic plot,
some say yes, others not,
who knows what is the truth,
every media offers proof.

But their agenda isn't news,
don't know if I can believe their crews,
too many lies told on the page,
and from anchors on the stage.

From blood and bullets chaos reigned,
yet we learn nothing from the pain,
except to cast blame and divide,
the chasm opens ever wide.

What makes you happy,
what makes you whole,
what fills the cracks in your soul?

Is it music, if so what tune,
a favorite meal or kind of pie,
what movie brings a tear to your eye?

What makes you you, do you know
do you have a favorite place,
what do you wear, denim or lace?

Do like the waters edge,
or do you prefer the mountain snow,
do you even really know?

Do you like a hair color,
Maybe you have a type,
Or do you make your own way, or follow the hype?

When you're in the car
do you drive or do you ride,
What makes you happy, or swell with pride?

If you do not know,  take a look inside,
you need to know yourself for true,
it the only way to be actually you.

Silver white foam floats on the sea,
piling up near a driftwood tree,
gray and old and barnacle encrusted,
my secrets to it have been entrusted.

Sitting there in the noonday sun, watching families having fun
throwing frisbees and *******,
I sit, feet dangling and bare my soul.

Waves run in and wash my secrets out,
that old gray tree never nags or shouts,
Everyday, fall to the spring
new mornings and secrets I bring.

It passes no judgement no matter the tide,
straddling it the storm of life I ride,
then another soul I met,
take her to the beach, to get all wet.

Played all day into the night,
as the temperature falls, I think I might,
histories and secrets up in smoke,
barnacle limbs burned as I broke.

A driftwood no longer remains,
with her I will share my love and pain,
watching the last embers burn and fly,
a final tear comes to my eye.

Told pain of the past kindles love,
we lay on the sand, watch the stars above.
with the burning of the tree,
finally my soul is free.
.