they say that
matter’s all
connected
you and me
have been
selected
every system
is affected
we share ourselves
in all we do
i wanna get
real close to you
i wanna
feel like new
and mix
some molecules
with you
by Richard W. Bray
tell me where it hurts
you don’t have to tell me why
maybe you don’t know
don’t be afraid to cry
tell me where it hurts
you don’t need me to reply
i’m just gonna listen
just gonna be nearby
tell me where it hurts
bleed it till it’s dry
i’m not gonna judge you
remember i’m your guy
tell me where it hurts
where it went awry
together we can heal
together we’ll get by
by Richard W. Bray

You’re a real sweet guy
You treat a lady right
So let’s get together
And warm up the night
I’m ready to romp
I’m ready to rumble
I’m ready to hit
The hay for a tumble
I can’t say
If we’re gonna work out
So let’s have some fun
While we figure it out
We can give it a go
And keep sweet company
Before we start sharing
Our whole history
Are you ready for me?
Cuz I’m ready for you
But I ain’t in the mood
For an interview
I can’t say
If we’re gonna work out
So let’s have some fun
While we figure it out

I wanna study French and Sanskrit
I wanna spend a week at the Louvre
I wanna read some Russian novels
I wanna spend some time with you
I wanna hike Kilimanjaro
I wanna see Timbuktu
I wanna have a summer safari
I wanna spend some time with you
I wanna end global warming
I wanna end injustice, too
I wanna buy the world a soda
I wanna spend some time with you
I wanna write a Hollywood movie
I wanna play for the Lakers, too
I wanna have a billion dollars
I wanna spend some time with you
There are a whole lotta things
That I’m never gonna do
But I’m gonna spend
Some time with you
by Richard W. Bray

I notice
You keep stopping by
You like our time
And so do I
One thing I’ve noticed
For a while
We like to make
Each other smile
I see what
You don’t think I see
I notice
How you notice me
Other people
Notice too
I think it’s time
For me and you
by Richard W. Bray
I got an ANTI-crush on you
I don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t like you
I hate everything you do
I hate your hair, I hate your clothes
I hate your stupid little nose
I hate your look, I hate your style
I hate your dimples when you smile
Oh what comfort my hate brings
And yet it really really stings
I cannot think of other things
I hate your poise, I hate your pride
I hate your smooth and silky stride
I hate your voice, I hate your tone
I hate you most when I’m alone
By Richard W. Bray
I don’t know where I’m going
Till I get there
I don’t know what I want
Until it’s here
The only way to walk is to
Learn how to fall
The best plan is to have
No plan at all
Love appears when we are
Not looking to connect
Nothing ever happens
The way we expect
The only way to walk is to
Learn how to fall
The best plan is to have
No plan at all
Every living moment
Proffers something new
Have some open arms
When love shows up for you
The only way to walk is to
Learn how to fall
The best plan is to have
No plan at all
by Richard W. Bray
I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity
—Emily Dickinson

You can hate away your days
Disparaging the ways
Of the wicked
You can while away your time
Pondering the crimes
Of the sickest
You can multiply your spite
But it won’t make nothing right
For the wretched
And your dreams of retribution
Only cultivate pollution
In your heart
You might find more success
Fighting hate with tenderness
And compassion
Plant a flower in your heart
It’s the perfect place to start
Your garden
Hope will be our only tool
Let’s all be crazy fools
For love
by Richard W. Bray
Once there was a heart I broke;
And that, I think, is worse.

The ones who never noticed
The ones who had to go
The ones who came to see me
The ones who didn’t show
Got a gut full of girlhurt
Keeping me awake
Playing back my memories
Reliving realms of ache
The ones I never talked to
The times I chickened out
All the love I missed
By wallowing in doubt
Got a gut full of girlhurt
Keeping me awake
Playing back my memories
Reliving realms of ache
The ones that I ignored
The things I didn’t say
The love I didn’t appreciate
The times I walked away
Got a gut full of girlhurt
Keeping me awake
Playing back my memories
Reliving realms of ache
by Richard W. Bray