You never know

 You never know

He doesn't dare
to let go
of his grandchild
because suppose
that it fledges
and does not return.

Ingrown fears
overflow
into the young child
though it is wordless
and so she will remember
grandfather

and keep watch
for the unpredictable
that he feared.

King of Clouds

 King of Clouds

I can feel you move
warm inside of me
you're a heavy child
I'm the king of clouds
touching snowflakes
before they melt away
sharing beauty never seen

Like a lotus
in perpetual birth
you're my flower
I'm the king of clouds
opening morning
before the break of day
share emotions never felt

High above the valleys
of earth's reality
you're the queen
I'm the king of clouds
time will tell us
more than words can say
sharing secrets never heard

(Music: Jack van Liesdonck and Leo Cornelissens; lyrics: Hans Marynissen)
From ‘Dawn Dancer - Flyte’ 13" vinyl, Don Quixote Records / Edison, Japan 1979; cd, Musea, Rotonfey, France 1994; cd, Si-Wan Records, South Korea 1994; 13" vinyl, Belle Antique, Japan 2012.

Heavy, Like a Child

Heavy, Like a Child

Oh you're heavy, like a child
like a pony no one tames
with your sunshine eyes so wild
I've heard all your silent names

Close your eyes, you're on your own
you can do it if you try
don't forget your good-luck stone
spread your wings and fly

There are strangers in your voice
and they're waiting for a word
there's no children for your toys
and your silence no one's heard

Close your eyes, you're on your own
you could do it if you'd try
you're afraid to be alone
did you ever wonder why?

And the cities made you cruel
I got wounded by your smile
my children may call me a fool
I'll stay with you for a while

But the cities made you cruel
yes, the cities made you cruel
they made you cruel
they made, they made you cruel
cruel!

(Music: Ruud Wortman & Jack van Liesdonck, lyrics: Hans Marynissen)
(Uit: 'Dawn Dancer - Flyte', vinyl, Don Quixote Records, Roosendaal 1979 -
vinyl, Don Quixote Records / Edison, Japan - cd, Musea, Rotonfey, France 1994 -
cd, Si-Wan Records, South Korea 1994 - vinyl, Belle Antique, Japan 2012)

Booby-trap

Booby-trap

It required only seconds for him,
but my concern wasn’t flight.
Security has its intellectual brilliance,
if you fail to recognize it tonight.

The whole damned staff stumbled
on the truth but it was far too late by then.
"It’s all right, I know you believe
you mean it", she said at the gate.
She’s alright.
But no, that’s not quite accurate.
Our celebration party was an absolute
blast and nearly a hundred people had
already arrived at the hotel
but where was she when I needed her?

I found my car
booby-trapped with dynamite,
and three days later it was
still raining,
and I didn’t know
her last name that night,
so I ran away to Colorado.

Background

Background

I think you're from an island.
There's a green light behind you,
Beaches, coral reefs,
Small lagoons, harbors.

Or perhaps
You're from a mountain village.
There's an open calmness in you,
A restaurant with a terrace,
The shadow of a steep cliff face,
Sunshine, farms.

You are not
from any city, I know,
because you looked straight at me.
And I travel
Where I have never gone before.
Within you, there is so much
Left to be discovered.

July 29, 1974.