a long strong song

let me sing a long strong song
and please you hum along
I am only given words
you are the tune
my heart’s drum
you are the song
I play upon

give me a long strong song son
give me a long strong song sister
give me a long strong song mother
give me a long strong song friend

my daddy was as buddha
but Jesus is my friend
I’ve karma’d with junkies
& swum deep waters
the grinding pulse of 9-5
has kept wolves alive
hungry at the door, and
oh yes, I’ve seen more
the grace of lightening

give me a long strong song ocean
give me a long strong song lightning
give me a long strong song sunshine
give me a long strong song rain
give me a long strong song moonlight
again and again and again

I’ve held my searching face
against my child’s neck
I’ve traced wondering hands
down my lover’s back
I’ve hugged grieving friends
with tears of death and pain
and nights I’ve quietened fear
with prayer and meditation
I’ve been where mountains
are as ancestors
and I’ve lived where the sea
is what you breathe
I’ve birthed powerful children
and loved amazing men
I bear the scars of loss
and feel the weight of age
I’ve not always known the meaning
but I’ve always turned the page

let me sing a long strong song
and please you hum along
I am only given words
you are the tune
my heart’s drum
you are the song
I play upon