There is a road that I travel on in the back of my mind. It is where I go to  ponder on the troubles in my life.
You won't find this road on any maps  around.
It is  far behind the these troubled eyes  and the twist of my mouth.
This road is no stranger to me ,
we have traveled many miles.
Each twist and turn, *** hole and cow paddy mines,
always together though somewhere in my mind.
When I finish up the journey down this stretch of road,
I can come back to the nowaday, relaxed without a load.
Somewhere in the back of mind, near and old dead tree,
there you will find  what I left behind...
that what was bothering me.

Cherokee woman , distant smile,
Cherokee woman it's been awhile,
let the warm winds carry your voice to me,
hear the  rustle of your hand made beads,
smell the hint of jasmine in your hair,
soft soled foot steps, I can feel you there.
Cherokee woman, distant smile,
Cherokee woman it's been awhile.
Catfish sunning in the morning light,
splash of ducklings, signs of new life.
Feel the need to close the miles,
move a little closer to that Cherokee smile.
Snow is melting  and the rivers run,
days are longer with warming sun.
Cherokee woman, shake your beads for me,
let the wind carry your scent of jasmine.
Distant smile come closer then a dream.
Cherokee woman no longer needs to wait for me.

It greets your nose with mixture of smoke, perfume and stale beer.
On the counter , an empty pickle jar , a few dollars in there.
Always a need for that jar , times get rough,
it's  a way we help friends and pray it never is us.
Band is setting up and sound checks going right,
few folks already here, going to be a good night.
Folks come in here to take a load off  for awhile,
some come to sip, others to get plum wild.
Barmaid looking good with that pushup bra,
boy got lucky and married her last fall.
Six days a week this bar rocks and rolls
and true to the good Lord  on Sunday we closed.
A few new boys and gals here to night,
pitching pick up lines, one might be right.
Someone will get lucky and cross that line,
someone will be in luck, get drunk  but leave the car for the night.
This old bar is a meet and greet place,
information gets passed and memories erased.
Cookouts in the back for a charity or two.
Bike wash, car wash, a  flash of skin might happen too.
All in all, this place fits us all,
I'm glad to say that I am a part of this old bar.

The taste of Life , though bittersweet,
still lingers on my lips.
Tainted with what is known now,
smeared with what I missed.
My eyes no longer all aglow,
my heart no open door.
My lips are chapped with reality,
my tongue ,silenced above the roar.
Oh Life, give me a crytal ball,
no need to be shimmering clear.
Let me catch just a sliver of a glance,
tainted lips, bile after taste , what I had always feared.
I gave, I took, I watched and often all with smiling lips.
To thank me for what I sacrificed...
you leave me to face this.....
Twist the blade you leave behind...please!

Well there is 'shine' coming down from the Carolines,
Brothers I haven't seen in quite some time.
Each year we gather here , rain or shine,
it's the gathering, the Meeting time.
We all will stare into the flames,
pass that jug, time and again.
Talk , spit , joke and  smoke,
just alot of catching up.
Then the business will be discussed at hand.
What needs to be doing and help where we can.
Dues will be paid and treasure report.
Pass the jug for another snort.
Food will be prepared on that old trusty grill.
Fire will be a blazing to bust down the chill.
Know old Shu is going to bring that guitar out.
Sitting with my Brothers is what it's all about.
Come morning we will all fire up our sleds,
remembering the plans and what had been said.
By noon all that will be left of what happened at all,
is the burning embers and empty jars.

It's two days till payday and  my shelves are almost bare.
Got one or two cups of noodle and a can of beans hiding somewhere.
Not to sure about these hot dogs, seem a little too brown,
it's two days till pay day and this stomach  is starting to growl.
Two days till pay day and one roll of toilet paper left.
Squeezed the last bit of toothpaste, guess they'll just have to take my bad breath.
Reboiled the coffee, well its' still still half way black,
two days till pay day, back tire going flat!
Just saw the mail man, my mailbox is filled,
lots of "you owe us money", my fan mail bills.
Two days till pay day, cable TV just went off,
would call with the problem but it cost money to talk.
Well look out  cup of noodles, I get hungry when I am bored.
Good thing I don't have much to munch on, bright side to being poor!

It's been a year and friends come and go,
my wish to all is that  with the snow,
a new beginning with wishes clear...
have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I have enjoyed the friends met here on Hello, wish to meet more and continue the Journey.