Montgomery County
©2017 J Kirby Heard
Mama’s biscuits, and coming when you’re called
That’s what life was like, it was simpler and all
Beans a-simmer, roasting chicken smells good, too
Butter churning, and a wood fire up the flue
Living in Montgomery County,
Life was peaceful there & then
Our doors unlocked, keys left in cars
And knowing home’s around the bend
I visit often in my mind’s eye
I’m rich with mem’ries of the days gone by
Granddad let me cross the road to find the hum
Of that John Deere tractor plowing in the sun
Neighbor busy, stops to wave and wipe his brow
No time for resting, but here we say “hey” anyhow
Living in Montgomery County,
Life was peaceful there & then
Our doors unlocked, keys left in cars
And knowing home’s around the bend
I visit often in my mind’s eye
I’m rich with mem’ries of the days gone by
Sheets a-flappin’’ in everyone’s back yard
Families gather, giving thanks for what comes hard
Nothin’ fancy; we get by with what we have
And mama’s spirit still overlooks our humble land
Living in Montgomery County,
Life was peaceful there & then
Our doors unlocked, keys left in cars
And knowing home’s around the bend
I visit often in my mind’s eye
I’m rich with mem’ries of the days gone by
Precious mem’ries of the days gone by
Meet Me at the Gate
©2017 J Kirby Heard
Will you meet me at the gate when I arrive?
I’m sure I’ll recognize your smiling eyes
I guess you’ve seen me all along, and how I’ve struggled to write a song
That says I miss you & wish that you were still alive
So is there a heaven and what’s it like? Do you think they’ll let me in?
Is honesty still a virtue? ‘Cause I haven’t kept track of my sins
There are no reservations for a Heavenly destination
And my rusty halo needs some polishin’
You bought the boat before you learned how to sail
That was your style, and of course you did prevail
Became the Skipper of the Fleet; missin’ church was kinda neat
I was your First Mate every Sunday without fail
But I’d sure like to see your mustache smile
Share jokes I didn’t ‘get’ as a child
Will you tell me once out loud that I sure have made you proud?
More than forty years gone by to reconcile
You danced at the wedding I never had
Gave me away (in my mind) like any Dad
I’m older now than you were then; what will it be like, seeing you again?
Will our reunion be happy or sad?
Are you in the Angel Choir still singing bass?
You served the City & the Scouts, & men in space
I know that I was only seventeen, but to me you were just like a King
Taught by example your humility and grace
So is there a heaven and what’s it like? Do you think they’ll let me in?
Is honesty still a virtue? ‘Cause I haven’t kept track of my sins
There are no reservations for a Heavenly destination
And my rusty halo needs some polishin’
My rusty halo may need a bit of polishin’
With You There
©2018 J Kirby Heard
It makes me sad to see you cry - your quivering lips, your red eyes
Wish I were there in the same town to take away what makes you frown
But I’m too far and you’re alone; can’t hold you closer than my phone
Nor wish the miles away, instead I’ll hold you in my dreams ahead
Close your eyes, I’m with you there
You must know how much I care
Kiss your brow, stroke your cheek
I’ll hold you close while you’re asleep
I hate to see him break your heart; he has no clue how far apart
He’s driven you, though close you were - but not so now; that seems a blur
Longing to restore your smile I’ll hold you in my mind awhile
Your light I wish to reignite and see your beacon in the night
Close your eyes, I’m with you there
You must know how much I care
Kiss your brow, stroke your cheek
I’ll hold you close while you’re asleep
I’m in your dreams while you’re asleep
Slingshot
©2017 J Kirby Heard
Albea get your slingshot & sit here quietly
We’re gonna get a rabbit for supper, you and me
Pop expected all of us to help to run the home
We took to squirrel huntin’, a skill that we could hone
“Go find us a rock or two,” my brother always said
He helped me make my slingshot so we could all be fed
Albea get your slingshot & sit here quietly
We’re gonna get a rabbit for supper, you and me
Woodrow showed me one day just how to sit and wait
A rabbit or a squirrel soon would meet its fate
I’m not doin’ “nothin’” a-leanin’ on this tree
I’m huntin’ food for supper, my big brother & me
Albea get your slingshot & sit here quietly
We’re gonna get a rabbit for supper, you and me
Pinch that rock real tight and stretch the rubber band
You gotta be real patient and hold a steady hand
Wait real nice and quiet like a statue stone
Pop’ll be so proud of us when we bring supper home
Albea get your slingshot & sit here quietly
We’re gonna get a rabbit for supper, you and me
Can’t Find the Words
©2016 J Kirby Heard
Well, the songs have all been written, the words already spoke
The pictures all been painted, the memories have been evoked
You know they say there’s nothing new now, that it’s all been done before
No more music, art or poems; not much for this troubadour
I just want to write a love song to let the world know how I feel
Can’t find the words to say what my heart is telling me
I’d hang the moon & the stars for you, dear, if they weren’t already there
You loved me from the very start and then you won my heart so fair
The way your eyes light up around me makes the diamonds lose their shine
Like they’re jealous of your glow the heart you’re holding there is mine
I just want to write a love song to let the world know how I feel
Can’t find the words to say what my heart is telling me
Yes, I just want to write a love song that I can sing for you
It may not be the first one, but to me it’s all brand new
It may not be the first one, but from my heart it’s true
Missin’ You Sunday Blues
©2017 J Kirby Heard
Sittin’ on the sofa, got the missin’ you Sunday blues
Another week is gone and I’m missing you bad, it’s true
There ain’t a thing I can do, I got the missin’ you Sunday blues
I saw you there on Monday, and then day after that
Then once again on Wednesday when you wore that gangster hat
Then Thursday, Friday, Saturday we jammed out with the guys
But now the music is over, the weekend is gone
And I can’t tell any lies, and I’m…
Sittin’ on the sofa, got the missin’ you Sunday blues
Another week is gone and I’m missing you bad, it’s true
There ain’t a thing I can do, I got the missin’ you Sunday blues
Well, we drove on down to Doodad to see that awesome band
They threw down with the best of them, and then you took my hand
We danced the night away like there was no one else around
But then the sun came up, my bubble burst
And now I’m feeling down, so I’m…
Sittin’ on the sofa, got the missin’ you Sunday blues
Another week is gone and I’m missing you bad, it’s true
There ain’t a thing I can do, I got the missin’ you Sunday blues
You took me to the festival, it really was divine
Like summer camp for grown-ups; we had a real good time
The pickin’ & the friends we made, not to mention the homemade brew
But now it’s time to go home and then back to work
Something I don’t wanna do! And I’m…
Sittin’ on the sofa, got the missin’ you Sunday blues
Another week is gone and I’m missing you bad, it’s true
There ain’t a thing I can do, I got the missin’ you Sunday blues
There ain’t a thing I can do, I got the missin’ you Sunday blues
Mama’s Attic
©2017 J Kirby Heard
I found some things in Mama’s attic, their stories I had not been told
The ancient, silent family photos keep secrets valued more than gold
I see connections in their faces, familiar hairline, smile or brow
If only they could speak and tell me just where they lived, & when, & how
Way up in Mama’s attic, safely put away up there
Are mem’ries of her younger days too dear to throw away or share
Her baubles, jewelry and keepsakes meant so much to her, it seems
I wish I knew more of the history; there’s more to her than I have seen
Did she love nights of ballroom dancing? I guess that I will never know
Collecting treasures through the decades seemed the substance of her soul
Way up in Mama’s attic, safely put away up there
Are mem’ries of her younger days too dear to throw away or share
A wedge of forty years between us she didn’t want to be alone
Yet she became less of a mother, merely a voice on the phone
She knew I’d researched on the family; now I’ve found things they left behind
I wonder why she never told me… I’m left to conjure in my mind
I learned so many things from mama; at least what she chose to impart
We share values but I’m wishing I knew her better from the heart
Way up in Mama’s attic, safely put away up there
Are mem’ries of her younger days too dear to throw away or share
Way up in Mama’s attic, safely put away up there
Are mem’ries of her younger days I dearly wish she would have shared
Day Is Done
©2018 J Kirby Heard
I’m here in the middle, between the mountains and the sea
The hills have been my home, now the tide is calling me
There’s the glory in the highlands where Eagles soar above
And the salty, sandy water beckons as a hopeless love
If I drop it all and move away, I’ll wind up all alone
So the answer lies within me — where I’m found when day is done
Peaks above the tree line reach up to touch the sky
The gurgle of headwaters has been my lullaby
The motion of the ocean ebbs and flows with energy
Desires I’ve never known before are awakening in me
I can’t be in two places, I’ll remain here like a dove
I’ll know the mountains as my homeland and the sea, my far-off love
So I gaze into the night sky, for I know they share this space
I can’t move the mountains to the sea still I seek my happy place
The stars shall navigate for me as the sailors in the past
And gently guide my troubled heart to find my peace at last
If I drop it all and move away, I’ll wind up all alone
So the answer lies within me — where I’m found when day is done
If I drop it all and move away, I’ll wind up all alone
So the answer lies within me — where I’m found when day is done
Get (The Hell) Off My Farm
©2020 J Kirby Heard
I see you stalking around me; I know that you want to do harm
My infrared shows me the places you go - why don’t you get off of my farm
I see you there on my camera, the close-up lens shows me your face
Just what do you need? Is it meanness or greed? Why don’t you get out of my place!
I see you creeping ‘round my porch at night
My business is mine and it just isn’t right
What do you want from me?
Please let me be and get the hell off of my farm
I see you’re there ‘round my buildings - I have them to hide all my stuff
Your snooping ways leaving me feeling betrayed, and it really is making me huff
Why don’t you mind your own business? You know that we used to be friends
You’re pushing me close to use razor wire and electrify my metal fence
I see you creeping ‘round my porch at night
My business is mine and it just isn’t right
What do you want from me?
Please let me be and get the hell off of my farm
Just get the hell off of my farm!
Caroline
©2017 J Kirby Heard
My home was in the Midwest flatlands; left it there, myself to find.
Headed east and somewhat southward, found rolling hills in Caroline
A cowgirl roped my lonely heart there and took me to her farm
I never knew sweet love could find me. We fell forever arm in arm
Caroline, sweet brown eyes. Caroline, deep blue skies
Caroline, you stole my heart. Caroline, we’ll never part
We explored this land together; ‘cross the countryside we roamed
Found there was no greater beauty than our Carolina home
Many years we’ve shared together. Loving friends have come & gone
Sweet Caroline has made our family. A truer love, there could be none
Caroline, sweet brown eyes. Caroline, deep blue skies
Caroline, you stole my heart. Caroline, we’ll never part
Sandy beaches, Blue Ridge mountains, city lights and family farms
Shades of life more than Giverny, caring souls with loving arms
Though we’re older now, and golden, and we’re rooted to this land
I have become a misplaced Yankee, sweet Caroline, my heart & hand
Caroline, sweet brown eyes. Caroline, deep blue skies
Caroline, you stole my heart. Caroline, we’ll never part
Caroline, you stole my heart. Caroline, we’ll never part
Reflections
©2018 J Kirby Heard
Who do I see in my mirror? Is she the same as me?
Grey with wrinkled outlines; my colors do I see?
Is it there, my endless quest for truth, sprinkled with light-hearted wit?
Is my heart of gold pinned on my sleeve? Do I show my grit?
I’m polishing my reflection; no reason to make believe
Embrace the face in my mirror, finally reveal the true me
I’ve been bruised & beaten; and loved incredibly
Victories over struggles, they’ve written the story of me
It seems I’ve created a cover, a kind of a social mask
I fool some folks I know — they never even ask
No self-denial, I know I’m true, no one else I’m trying to be
Are you seeing me in the mirror? I’m not hiding my identity
Swimming against the mainstream, do I act as someone I’m not?
Where’s the woman I’ve met before? Does she fear getting caught?
I’m bound to admire who I am, with no uncertainty
So I’ll see the face in my mirror as she is meant to be
I’m polishing my reflection; no reason to make believe
Embrace the face in my mirror, finally, finally reveal the true me
You Don’t Have to Know Jesus
©2017 J Kirby Heard
My mama taught me lessons about love and peace and life
She taught me through her living in good times and in strife
Now the Pope says it’s okay if I don’t believe in God
I guess you don’t have to know Jesus to write a gospel song
Pope Francis said some things that give my soul a rest
Being spiritual doesn’t mean I need religion as a nest
It’s okay my church is nature and not just brick and stone
I guess you don’t have to know Jesus to write a gospel song
It’s all about brotherhood, kindness, truth and love
The sort we find inside ourselves and not just from above
The light of the spirit is deep inside each one
I guess you don’t have to know Jesus to write a gospel song
Mother Teresa showed me how to live this way
My Presbyterian rearing didn’t hurt in any way
I learned to love & honor others, all along
I guess you don’t have to know Jesus to write a gospel song
It’s all about sisterhood, kindness, truth and love
The sort we find inside ourselves and not just from above
The light of the spirit is deep inside each one
I guess you don’t have to know Jesus to write a gospel song
I guess you don’t have to know Jesus to write a gospel song