If you need a moment take it.
Make a promise and don’t break it.
Have an itch? Scratch it.
Want the setting sun? Go catch it.
I’ve seen that smile so bring it.
You know the song. Sing it!
You have dreams, go chase them.
Problems? You can face them.
Seeking beauty? The earth grows it.
And when you love somebody…
show it.
If I could pick for you a bouquet
from the windswept hills of spring,
from under budding oak groves,
and along the babbling creek…
I’d pick you bluebells for your table,
and sweet peas for your mom,
the mist from early mornings,
a meadowlark’s sweet song.
I’d throw in green, green grasses
and the chokecherry’s in bloom
to set upon your nightstand
and bring some springtime to your room.
And to that I’d add some sweet smells
and a horse’s tangled mane,
The dust from tires on gravel,
all the things we cannot tame.
Like the sound of insects buzzing
and a brown dog in the mud,
thorns that poke your fingers,
and dandelion fluff.
Then I’d find you ladyslippers,
a yellow violet hiding out,
prairie smoke and daisies…
all the pretty that’s about.
But I won’t forget the rainstorms
or the rocks that dot the fields,
the wood ticks and the slick mud,
all the things that make this real.
Because if I could pick the prairie,
put this earth into a vase
I’d take the sunshine with the hale storms
but leave the secrets in their place.
It was this kind of day
a hug and kiss kind of day
a put your pole in a puddle
and fish kind of day
You ran down the big hill for fun
basked in the warm pre-spring sun
It was a big stick kind of day
a muddy crick kind of day
a ketchup and mustard
picnic kind of day
You took the hand of your best friend to hide
beneath oak trees and sky blue and wide
It was your best horse kind of day
a no-chores kind of day
an open the windows and doors kind of day
you used your paint to you let your art spread
to your cheeks and, oops, the dog’s head
You found renewed energy
forgave your enemies
noticed the small things you’ve missed
like a spider’s spun web
brighter thoughts in your head
the way that it feels to be kissed
It was a day made for races
in wide open spaces
a good day to climb way up there
the best way to tangle your hair
Yes, it was a day just like this
short sleeves, walking sticks
the only place in this world I would wish
to spend next to you in this gift.
He’s playing the guitar, though he’s not so good
and you’re dancing in the kitchen when you know you should
be scrubbing up the dishes, putting them away
checking off the list you made for the day.
But you’re hair’s looking good and your jeans fit right
and the sun came up this morning shining big and bright
and you aren’t about to waste another minute sad
life’s too short, so take what you have.
You have sprinkles on your cookies and it’s no holiday
a man who makes you dinner and swears he’ll stay
through broken plans and messes, unexpected things
so who needs fancy dresses and diamond rings?
When you have too many boots and you can’t decide
a big brown dog waiting for you outside
blue sky above and all those trees
flushed rosy cheeks and grass stained knees
So open up the door and let the morning in
smile as warm breezes kiss your skin
run wild like the girl you want to be
what keeps you going, keeps you feeling free?
What makes you wrap your arms around him unexpectedly
slip on your favorite shoes and grab the keys
forget about it girl, take one more bite
and while you’re at it, stay out all night
And shake it pretty momma like you just don’t care
jump in the lake in your underwear
let them see you laughing, see you come undone
yes, life’s too short, girl, have some fun.
What makes you happy? Tell me please, I must know!
Oh, January you’ve changed haven’t you?
Casting long shadows
against gold, green and blue
tempting us with light jackets
and unlined walking shoes
Oh, January…what did you do?
To your silky white snow drifts
your wind frozen and wild?
You used to be reckless,
now what are you? Mild?
You’re a hot, sultry vixen
and you’re throwing us off
with your new sexy t-shirt
and your jeans? Are they cropped?
Yes, your new look it is stunning,
your kisses so warm
still I find myself watching
for the inevitable storm…
For the snowflakes to drop
and my fingers to freeze
as I lay in the gold grass
humming with the soft breeze.
Oh, I wait to despise you
like I usually do
No, I’m not sure about this
but I like it, it’s new.
But your hair does looks different
your cheeks a bit flushed
and you greet me with sunshine!
January I’m touched!
So though the I hate to admit it
or make a big fuss
January, I tell you…
I’ve never liked you this much.
Go find your mittens
so your fingers don’t freeze
slip on your big boots
pull your socks to your knees
Dig out your best scarf
wrap it round yourself tight
the snow has arrived here
it came in with the night.
I’ll put the roast in the oven
and heat the milk on the stove
they’ll be right here waiting
when you come in from the cold
Knocking ice from the branches
and stringing Christmas tree lights
yes the snow has arrived dear
it came in with the night.
So squeeze on your knit cap
over wild wooly hair
watch your breath float and drift
in the crisp morning air
Break the ice for the cattle
put the saddles away
yes the snow has arrived here…
and I think it might stay.
Summer don’t leave me
stay under my feet
hang warm in the sky
don’t dry up the wheat
Summer stay near me
to kiss my skin tan
mess up my long hair
hold tight my hand
Summer please stay here
in the chokecherry trees
on the back of a good horse
in the green of the leaves
Oh, Summer my good friend
there’s only so many hours
so take the bees and the rainbows…
but don’t take my wildflowers
that I would come into this world a child of this earth
that I owe the moon and the night fireflies
my quiet mouth
and listening ear
and the rain my skin to lay kisses upon
that I would inhale the air
draw it deep
fill my lungs
and release with my breath
a compassion
and grow a heart light with plans
bursting to know
that we are a piece of this clay
the plush on the petal of the wild sunflower
the minutes that tick with each passing hour
the sun on the way to the dark
and the light that results from its spark
I see you through cracked windshields
my dark sunglasses and
prairie grasses
trees that cannot hold their leaves
and drifts that will not stay…
dirt roads that carry on that way.
You wave to me
through barbed fence wire
old tractor tires
and houses with nobody home
things that could not be repaired…
things that were left sitting there.
We stretch along horizon lines
and dip below the buttes
your mud stuck to my boots
a piece of you you’re pleased to share
a piece I’m pleased to take from you…
your sky an ever changing hue.
And you see me through rearview mirrors
windows down and open doors
places I have gone before
my headlights through the dust I stir
how quick I am to roam….
you rise up to meet me home.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... 
