I OPENED MY EYES TODAY

Morning came, the light did shine through an open window,

I am again alive! scattered clouds drift by and say goodbye.

The birds do fly, singing songs on their way through the sky,

Trees sway within the breezy day, branches of color along the way,

I see the world, I opened my eyes today.

Keith Garrett

I MISSED THE GIFT

I was born, I was alive in a new world to me,

I thought that I had not much as I grew, I did not see.

Always asking why me or why don’t I have more,

I survived a terrible thing in this life, I am alive!

My life has been given to me, a gift extended beyond that day,

So much more than some as I believed I had nothing, ungrateful perhaps.

I missed the gift, It took many years and roads traveled to see,

So much has been given to me, I understand more as I have watched

Many times the sun rise and set, It is a gift to live and breathe.

Keith Garrett

I KNOW YOU ARE SOMEWHERE

I know you are there Art, I wonder where you are, how are you?

Are you alright? Do you understand what has happened? are you near or far?

It seems you have gone away, was the sun shining? what were your thoughts of this day?

I remember when once we met on a sunny Yorba Linda day, you were young, life was okay,

Those were the days of innocence, we were safe to what was coming our way, chances we take.

A smile you had always on your face, from day to day you aged as we all did, today you went away,

I know you are somewhere, I can feel it as I imagine you traveling to a far off unimaginable place.

You were here, could it be that you are still around, I thought I heard you laugh, remembering the sound,

You left your mark, a reason heaven needed you now, I saw you yesterday Art, It seems so long ago.

Many friends were yours, I think at times you didn’t understand, you were born on a day, with god you now stand,

I’ll always remember and think of you dear friend when I recall those never ending Summer days so long ago.

Keith Garrett

JUST ANOTHER DAY

The sun comes up, taking the darkness away,

Sounds from trees, birds are awake for this day.

Whether it be clouds or rain, a walk down a street,

Just another day but never the same way.

Life and the beauty with it is seen for only so many hours a day,

Take it not for granted as the gift of sight is not promised always,

Just another day or something new comes our way.

Keith Garrett

I HEARD MY MAMA’ CRY

When the morning rose which seems like a lifetime ago,

I was quite young, she had tears in her eyes,

Running down her face, why did you cry?

A child may see but blind to the reality,

All around, secretly something is happening.

I heard my mama’ cry, not knowing really why,

Day or night as I was a child, between her smiles.

Keith Garrett

I HAVE WALKED A LONG ROAD

Jesus on one side and the devil on the other, they follow always,

I have walked a long road with a little sin, some kindness, and regret.

They are not seen with eyes of sight but you can feel them both testing,

I have walked the center of this road for much of my time, I see both sides.

The devil smiled whenever I did wrong, on the other side i saw jesus cry,

When no remorse was seen in my heart, the devil laughed, jesus never left.

My eyes could see the darkness as the devil walked on my left side wanting,

Turning to my right Jesus and his light never has given up on me, I still walk.

No longer do I walk the center of that long road as closer to the right I feel,

I reach for his hand but still fingertips away, the devil stands strong but I am stronger.

For all that I have done wrong I do live with but I ask forgiveness to those and to him,

As they both walk the road I walk where the light shines upon my soul.

Keith Garrett

HERE IS MY HOUSE

Here is my house built for this world today,

There is a gate so that you can’t get through,

If not invited there will be guns waiting for you.

Two dogs growling, mean as could ever be,

An alarm system that calls on those who will hurt you indeed.

Doors of steel that should let not a criminal soul get in,

Supplies for survival if this land must come to this.

Here is my house, not one of dreams but of safety,

Not the way our country should be, here is my house the way I see.

Keith Garrett

I HAVE NEVER LEFT THE PAST BEHIND

Follows me it does, to everywhere as I can’ not run from it,

Memories are ours as we travel through the days given.

I believe the past has a great impression on our future,

These things we carry with us in an emotional way.

I have never left the past behind, I have tried going back,

Some of it still rests in dust and cobwebs, an empty shell.

Some of whom we are has been left behind, we cannot recover it,

I suppose there is a part we must let go of, the rest is here now.

We can walk backwards but not so fast as to see where we have been,

We are not supposed to go back only forward as we have our collection of then,

Keith Garrett

I HAVE BEEN AWAY

For the last three days I feel I have been away,

Lost much sleep, thought I was losing my mind.

Without that friend, that luxury so needed to move,

We collapse possibly into a sickness not so fine.

All things I do, those for me everyday routines disappeared,

I felt a sense of guilt, failure over my obsessions so needed.

Streaks broken that I believe to be a necessity for my daily survival,

A break much needed as physical and mental health seemed questionable.

I have been away but I think in a much needed way, rest my mind but not the thoughts,

Rest this body that is never much rested, I have been away, for me a different way.

Keith Garrett

GIVE ME STRENGTH

Days can be a struggle at times, feeling much alone,

Physical pain and emotional scars are hard fought.

Stress and the desire to overcome tire a body and mind,

Worries of the time keep a soul from sleep in the night.

Give me strength to make it through beyond this coming sunset,

Guide me into my day of many challenges that tear at my heart.

Wisdom would be a true gift as I try to better my life and self,

Thank you for listening as there is much hope as I stand strong.

Keith Garrett