Standing With You

 In battles lost and battles won,

 I reflect beneath the stars, 

 Which show my size in truth, 

 My place amidst the galaxies, 

 While shining through the darkness, 

  They show the beauty of life. 

 This is a new chapter, 

 With more experience in your soul, 

 More hearts beneath your wings, 

  Riding on the spirit winds,

 Within this song of life, 

 Which shatters any storm. 

 For no star within the night, 

  Is ever truly alone, 

 Within an ocean of diamonds, 

 Reflecting our infinite souls, 

 As within indomitable love, 

 Hope will never be lost. 

 These words are one language, 

 With a universe of thought, 

  While music is a universe, 

 With all languages in one, 

 A sharing between souls, 

 Of what cannot be spoken. 

 Battles can be won,

 And they are seldom repeated, 

 Yet when the seldom happens, 

 There are more hearts by your side, 

 Souls brave in their faith, 

 Stand as one in God's pure love. 

 Never fear or doubt, 

 And never lose your smile, 

 Your heart rides fourth in music, 

 Residing in  all of ours, 

 Our strength returns to you, 

 Indomitable in love. 

Never Give Up

There are reasons I should have never made it to today, yet hear I am writing and blessed by my family.  I wrote this to inspire others, as Olivia Newton-John inspires from her experience, to never give up fighting for life no matter what they see or experience.  Some of our songs are longer, and some are shorter in ways we can not control.  Yet one life saved can translate into 16 grandchildren who would have never existed otherwise.  Though our individual songs are of different lengths and rhythms, our collective song is forever and continues to inspire through the heart.  Please support the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center at http://www.oliviaappeal.com/.    

They told me I was dead,

I think they were right,

With less time to live,

No hope they could give,

They did what they could,

Told me what they should,

And I should give up the fight.

I could not face the truth,

With family to live for,

And too many goodbyes,

I had to live as though alive,

All I could do was try,

Trading tears for fears,

Awaiting the next sunrise.

Prayer was not my routine,

I found myself talking,

Asking God to listen,

Reading all I could do,

Eating things anew,

Following the doctor,

I followed my will to live.

For my passion did thrive,

Fueled by loved ones near,

The times we shared dear,

Treating each day a gift,

And life as a true blessing,

I refused to loose my smile,

Through each day of testing.

For miracles do happen,

Yet we must choose to see,

At first with our hearts,

Until we do with our eyes,

For other eyes to see,

Gaining faith in our fight,

That they may never give up.

Olivia - Written for Olivia Newton-John

Tonight was a night like no other.  Olivia Newton-John came to San Diego and my wife got tickets to see her.  As she has been part of my inspiration to write, I came with my book in hand with a dedication I wrote.  The security people were gracious enough to allow me to hand it to her.  After the concert I told her, "Inspiration changes form to give wings to new hearts while faith and love continue on with us being the song of life."   She agreed as my daughter was tremendously inspired by her music and meeting her.  Jessica lit up as soon as she saw Olivia, and I took a step back.  Olivia was just glowing as they conversed.  Jessica was overjoyed, and told Olivia that she wanted to be a star like her.  While Olivia was giving Jessica her autograph I told her that she was, "Giving wings to new hearts."  She looked up and simply said, "Absolutely!"  For her gift from the heart, I dedicate this poem once again to Olivia.

She came from down under,

With a voice like no other,

Singing love of life from her heart,

All those with ears,

Would hear beauty through the years,

That has blossomed more fully from the start.

From the country she came,

A southern style she sang,

Joining voice and heart with John,

With Denver she learned how to fly away,

Not knowing away he would fly,

In his leaving she joined those who cried,

Yet carried on his love in her song.

With Andy so young and so bright,

She sang her song in new light,

With the Brothers Gibb,

As close as family,

Singing with Maurice and Barry,

She would not let love be thrown away,

When away flew the life of Andy.

When the storm came for her,

She clung to the tree,

As cancer came like wind blown hail,

She would not give up her heart,

She would not silence her love,

And in singing her life did prevail.

Threw all of this and more,

She has sailed her ship to shore,

Wind filled with love’s power through song,

As we are each broken by pain,

We hear her voice again,

And know that no trials may last too long.

So for never giving up,

And never giving in,

And never losing sight,

For against love all hardship is trivia,

So that others may read,

Of how strength comes through love,

This poem is written for Olivia.

Olivia - Written for Olivia Newton-John

Dedicated to Olivia Newton-John.

 I wrote this some time ago for her.  She inspires me and so many others with her music, and I would be overjoyed to know that my gift could inspire her in return.  She has endured much, yet her song remains in the air and in our hearts.  She is a constant, a friend for us, and a kindred spirit.

 

She came from down under,

With a voice like no other,

Singing love of life from her heart,

All those with ears,

Would hear beauty through the years,

That has blossomed more fully from the start.

From the country she came,

A southern style she sang,

Joining voice and heart with John,

With Denver she learned how to fly away,

Not knowing away he would fly,

In his leaving she joined those who cried,

Yet carried on his love in her song.

With Andy so young and so bright,

She sang her song in new light,

With the Brothers Gibb,

As close as family,

Singing with Maurice and Barry,

She would not let love be thrown away,

When away flew the life of Andy.

When the storm came for her,

She clung to the tree,

As cancer came like wind blown hail,

She would not give up her heart,

She would not silence her love,

And in singing her life did prevail.

Threw all of this and more,

She has sailed her ship to shore,

Wind filled with love’s power through song,

As we are each broken by pain,

We hear her voice again,

And know that no trials may last too long.

So for never giving up,

And never giving in,

And never losing sight,

For against love all hardship is trivia,

So that others may read,

Of how strength comes through love,

This poem is written for Olivia.