BRIDGES INSTEAD OF WALLS

by Stan C. Countz

He slowly walks away
And saves it for another day
He builds up walls and paints them all
The same drab shade of gray

She stuffs it all into a ball
It’s such a cryin’ shame
They both mean well
But who can tell how well
They play the game?

They say the same ol’ thing
In a new and different way
Why should they pay a price
That’s just too high to pay?

It ain’t that easy playing second fiddle
You can’t shake hands with a fist
Don’t wanna cut it down the middle
How did it come down to this?

She’s still expects Prince Charming
To wake her with a kiss
Her charm is quite disarming
She needs a slap on the wrist

She’s got to tear down those walls
And build bridges in their place
Only then can she try to erase
The stain and face the pain

I hate to rain on your parade
Don’t wanna sing the blues
Wish they would have stayed
Together but they never paid their dues

It takes two to tango
Or to dance the fandango
The truth is hard to handle
So say a prayer and light a candle

For two who knew the truth
But chose to just ignore it
So decide if you’re against or for it
Before you raise your voice
Make your case, then make your choice

Building bridges or building fences
Pride always goes before a fall
When will we all come to our senses
And build bridges instead of walls?

ITCHY EARS

by Stan C. Countz

V1
Don’t wanna hear “the truth”
I’ve heard it ‘til I’m blue in the face
Who needs to listen to you?
Who needs your amazing grace?

V2
Got my own good word
Just in case you hadn’t heard
Just add a dash of faith and stir
It’ll go down pretty easy
Of this you can be sure

V3
Anyway, your plan is too intrusive
And just too narrow-minded
My way is much more inclusive
Who wants to be blind-sided?

CHORUS
My eyes are blind and I’m
Gonna keep them closed
My life is just fine as it is
Don’t need to be exposed
I got itchy ears and I only hear
The voice of expedience
Ringing in my ear
Who cares about obedience?
I’m no one’s stool pidgeon
I’m adding my own ingredients
And making my own religion

BRIDGE
I only believe what I’m told
By the latest opinion poll
Though I’ve been bought with a price
By the very blood of Christ
I’ve been sold into sin and bondage again
‘Cuz in my golden rule religion
Whoever has the most gold wins

OUTRO
Mine is a designer faith based on convenience
My blind eyes see only shades of gray
I guess you could say I’m pretty lenient
Who says we need to watch and pray?
I’m Ok, you’re OK and I like it that way

SECRET ADMIRER

by Stan C. Countz
You tried to keep it real no matter how you might feel personally
But it was worse for me; I thought I knew the drill
I thought I knew how you would feel about you and me
So I tried to be content to see you socially
I loved you spiritually and emotionally

You sat in front of me in math
You made me smile and laugh
I liked you as soon as I met you
I knew that I’d never forget you

Don’t know why I let you
Get under my skin
But I did; I let you in
And that was the beginning of the end

But I never had the guts to tell you to your face
How I wish I could have told you
How much I wanted to touch and hold you
To try to make and mold you into someone who
Would love me as much as I loved you

But you never really knew how I felt
‘Til the last hand was dealt and you knelt by my side
You bowed your head out of respect and softly cried
I felt your heart melt instead of swell with pride

When you read the note I left behind
It read “I’ll always love you forever
Or at least until the end of time.”
And you discovered how much
I wanted you to be mine

It must’ve been blind luck or fate
I wanted to ask you for a date
The first time I ever met you
I fell for you, hook, line and sinker
You had me wrapped around your finger

Don’t know why I let you get under my skin
But I could never get up the nerve to let you in
I had hoped you would begin to notice me
I knew instinctively I could never deserve you

I still believe we could’ve made a great team
Now we can only be together in our dreams
We could’ve been great together
But now, it seems, it’s too late

Now all you can do is read this letter
And pray that I’m in a better place
And weep for what will never be
And pray I’ll find His grace and peace

But don’t cry for me ’cuz I’ll love you for all eternity
Or until we see each other again
Can you find a place inside you
Can you think of me as your friend?
Someone who is there to guide you?
Who’ll stick with you ‘til the bitter end?

It’s a shame we never became friends
We never came together
While I was alive and well
But my love for you will last forever
Beyond the grave and hell

So be brave ‘cuz who can really tell?
Maybe one day we’ll be together again
Maybe we’ll be more than just friends
When one door closes another opens

Didn’t want to sound like a clown or two-bit liar
I thought I found a way to encourage and inspire
But I’m afraid all I did was take the easy way out
If I’d been brave I’dve faced my fears and doubts

And not tried to run away from them
Instead I should’ve used my head
Or so said the mystery letter writer
And it was signed in red
Yours truly, Your secret admirer