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SongShelf

Song

Milk and Flower Bath
2018: My Sweet Moon
2018: Rabbit
2018: Adrift
2018: A Star Born In Fall
2023: Sail Away Bay
2023: The Living Song
2023: Wherefore Art My Confidence

Lyrics

Gradient Skies

My Sweet Moon

2018

Blue Moon, I wonder at you

And how you change your colors.

Blue Moon your hues

The same as my tears.

But I won’t cry them over you, 

And I won’t let them be used,

Oh Blue Moon you speak to me

When I’m confused.

Life it has so much to share,

But why must we always bare

The fruits of yesterday, 

Oh to sway, to the music in my heart,

And to love with all I’ve got.

But then you shine through

And forgive me my sweet Moon,

But you’re making me blue too.

 

Red Moon, I feel you, a vampire in the sky

Red Moon why do you do

The things I dare not try,

But I won’t howl at passers by

And I won’t bleed my veins bone dry, 

Oh Red Moon you paint me

With colors infused

Life is not where we disappear,

Yet we feed our past doubts and fears

Oh to dance under the warm sun-light,

Or snowflakes of crystal white

But then you shine through

And forgive me my sweet Moon,

But you no-longer-make-me swoon.

 

Sweet Grey Moon, original, you;

How dear your surprise 

Beautiful Moon, comfort to view,

In the dead of night,

And I will watch and I will sing, 

And I will wish upon your lines

Oh Midnight Moon,

Caress my weary, mind

Life presents you as a spell,

Perhaps a magic, I cannot tell

Oh to forget the loneliness and fret

To laugh once again,

But then you shine through

And forgive me my sweet Moon,

But my eyes are fixed upon your light.

Pink Gradient

Rabbit

2018

Do you wanna play a game tonight,

And chase me down the rabbit hole?

Do you wanna come and lose your mind,

May I be your goal?

If you display the cards, I’ll deal you in,

If you speak the words, I’ll let you win,

So, do you feel the need to sleep enriched,

Do you wanna play the game,

All it takes is a whisper,

What’s your pitch?

Seal it with a kiss?

 

I never asked for this,

For your hand in mind, & time to dive.

I never knew how far things would go,

And I won’t say no.

Curious creature,

Ooh, you don’t say no.

 

Do you wanna run around the bend,

And escape into my Neverland?

Do you wanna feel alive again,

Not fear beating the mend?

If you display some fight,

I’ll share my gloves,

If you stand against the ropes,

I’ll cheer you on,

So, do you feel the need to sleep enriched,

Do you wanna run around the bend,

All it takes is a genie in a lamp, 

Three wishes and a well.

 

I never asked for this,

For your hand in mind, & time to dive.

I never knew how far things would go, And I won’t say no.

Curious creature,

Ooh, you don’t say no.

 

Do you wanna play a game tonight,

And chase me down the rabbit hole?

Do you wanna come and lose your mind, May I be your goal?

If you display an Ace, I’ll have to go,

If you show a Heart, I’ll save your soul,

So, do you feel the need to sleep enriched,

Do you wanna play the game,

All it takes is a whisper,

What’s your pitch?

Seal it with a kiss?

 

I never asked for this,

For your hand in mind, & time to dive.

I never knew how far things would go, And I won’t say no.

Curious creature,

Ooh, you don’t say no.

Curious creature,

We don’t say no.

Pink Gradient

Adrift

2018

Down in the summer rain,

Past the pastures of pain,

I walked the steady beat,

Turned my collar to the sleet.

Bone dry and gone,

I crumble along,

A memory is all I’ve got,

Around here, that’s quite a lot.

 

When you’re whistling a tune,

Humming it new,

Not a dollar or dime,

Your treasure is time.

You fall on the floor,

The leaves give a roar,

A breeze picks you up.

 

Even though you’ve had it rough,

Oh, you’ve always been tough, 

And found someone to love.

Gradient Skies

A Star Born In Fall

2018

A star, born in fall, 

Remembers the rise.

From the seed that grew it all,

Set its sights so high.

A dream is realized,

Inside one, full of life.

 

A star, born in fall,

With a diamond pair of eyes.

 

Speak from the heart,

Share your story strong.

Meet at the finish line,

All the stars the breeze carries home.

Pink Gradient
Gradient Skies

Sail Away Bay

2021

Sail away

To a midnight bay

And call upon the waves

For the isle of whiles

Are all asleep

Under church lights halo

Glowing.

​

Sail away

To a far away

Where the grass

Is all but browning

And the streets curve round

Til you lose your ground

On the maze of giant

Stairways.

​

Sail away

To a tower of islands

Peaking through the cloud's haze

Where a winter sun

Burns trees

Til there are none

And the ships wreck

Among the catacombs.

​

Sail away

Black Capitana

Lead us past the buckling

Lest we swim

With sunken gold

In a blue glass

Lagoon.

Pink Gradient
Pink Gradient

The Living Song

2022

Give too much

Won't give less

But giving up

Past's a mess.

​

How do you heal a broken vessel,

When the gold peels off,

Now you're stuck with metal?

How do you return

From an addictive dark,

After mistaking the cold for warmth?

 

I'm healing

With every breath

I'm breathing. x2

​

Held on too long

Lost your passions

Thought you're sailing

Instead you're sliding backwards

​

How do you heal a broken vessel,

Cracks too big, the size of castles?

How do you come back

When you've seen the light,

Not ready to give up on paradise?

​

You're healing

With every breath

You're breathing.

​

We're all healing

With every breath

We're breathing.

​

No need to say

You're sorry

I hear your

Inner worries

Life doesn't

Stay lonely

When you

Carry on.

​

Healing

Every breath

Breathing. x3

Gradient Skies

Wherefore Art My Confidence

2022

Suppression of my mind

In the fists of your sedation

On a nervous system kind

Until you pick apart my patience.

​

Where are you my confidence?

Why are you so quiet?

Why is duck tape across your lips?

Where is your voice, voice...

Don't Speak

​

Yell!

Yell until your heart bleeds red,

And your face turns blue,

Cuz all of the-all of the world

Belongs to you too.

Yell!

Until the void bursts open

Serving you compassion

Not another...

​

Gaslighter on my heels

Your behavior is surreal

How am I the one insane

When your kindness feels like hell.

​

Where are you my confidence?

Why are you so quiet?

Why can you defend everyone

But not my voice, voice...

Don't Speak

​

Yell!

Yell until your heart bleeds red,

and your face turns blue,

cuz all of the-all of the world

belongs to you too.

Yell!

Until the void bursts open

Serving you compassion

Not another...

​

Bruise for my bag of traumas

I've no interest in collecting

Or sharing them with others

For your cliques and entertainment.

​

Where are you my confidence?

Why are you so quiet?

I promise you're not arrogance

Speak up your mind, mind...

Don't be silent

​

While you still have a voice

While you still have time

Yell until your heart bleeds red,

and your face turns blue,

cuz all of the-all of the world

belongs to you too.

Yell!

Until the void bursts open

Serving you compassion

Yell! (whispered)

Pink Gradient

The Matter of the Matter

2022

When I dunno what to say

I falter

Without a source of light

I stumble.

​

Grab my hand

Pull me up

By thoughts

That could fill my cup.

Hold out hope

& say a prayer

Promise

You'll say, "you matter", dear.

​

When I lose my step

My heart skips a beat

My mind plated is a weight

Pressure served with a side of fear.

​

Grab my hand

Pull me up

By thoughts

That could fill my cup.

Hold out hope

& say a prayer

Promise

You'll say, "you matter", dear.

​

You matter

I matter

But the matter

of the matter

Is the doubt

Not knowing

There's no whole

Without an I.

​

Grab my hand

I'll pull you up

By thoughts

That could fill your cup.

For the matter

Of the matter

Is no one matters

Unless we all do

Side by side.

Pink Gradient

In Service

2022

What's my worth, worth

I'm not perfect

But I do the work.

What's my worth, worth

Gotta have my back

When the vultures start circlin'.

​

I could shut my mouth

Do a little curtsy

But I ball up my fists

When anyone screams,

"You're not worthy!"

​

What's my worth, worth

I'm not perfect

But I do the work.

What's my worth, worth

Gotta have my back

When the sharks start circlin'.

​

I could be a rose

A statue in your garden

But I sharpen up my thorns

When my heart screams,

"You are worthy!"

​

What's my worth, worth

Return my crown to my head

I will not beg, out of service

What's my worth, worth

Gotta have my back

When the wolves start circlin'.

​

If your opinions

Were my world

I'd be prisoner

To your hurt

But I'm no one's victim

Pay attention when I scream,

"I am worthy!"

​

What's your worth,

Worth?

Gradient Skies

Who Needs Mars?

2022

Perhaps one day we'll all write songs

About the people we once knew

When memorials stand taller

Than our skyscrapers blue.

​

The world flooded from our tears

Burnt to ashes by our fears.

​

We destroyed forever

With our never never

Gonna change within.

​

We won't win

With our never never 

Gonna change our minds.

​

I won't be a child

Of this utopia dystopia

I choose...

​

Life under clouds and sunlight

Sleeping in a grass bed at night.

 

Gazing at the bright stars

Yeah, I've got Earth,

Who needs Mars?

​

Perhaps one day we'll all write songs

About the memorials we once knew

When people stand taller

Than our skyscrapers blue.

​

The world burnt to ashes by our tears

Flooded from our fears.

​

We destroyed forever

With our never never

Gonna change our minds.

​

We won't win

With our never never 

Gonna change within.

​

I won't be a child

Of this dystopia utopia

I choose...

​

Life under clouds and sunlight

Sleeping in a grass bed at night.

 

Gazing at a red Mars

As long as we've got Earth,

Who needs stars?

Pink Gradient

Blood World

2019-2022

I have seen the way

The whole world bleeds

And I know how

The heart of the universe beats

I have seen the way

The whole world bleeds

I will not be

A victim of war’s increase.

 

I’ve been fragile

Feared footsteps

Cowered at silence

Counted exits

I’ve woken

Screaming fists clenched

Tears streaming

I have broken.

 

Head under rainwater

Sometimes cold as knives

Other times life giving

I’m not a shell anymore

Love keeps my heart beating.

 

I have seen the way

The whole world bleeds

And I know how

The heart of the universe beats

I have seen the way

The whole world bleeds

I will not be

A victim of violence’s release.

 

I’ve been damaged

Beaten bound

Selfish voices threw me

On the ground

I’ve been chained

To a bed of sweat

Hateful words repeating

I have broken.

 

Head under rainwater

Sometimes drowns me

Other times lifts me up

I’m not empty inside anymore

Love keeps my heart beating.

 

I have seen the way

The whole world bleeds

And I know how

The heart of the universe beats

I have seen the way

The whole world bleeds

I’ll remain a child of our Creator’s peace.

*Please contact me if you want your book and name removed, thank you.

Pink Gradient

Across Galaxies

2022

I want to pretend

You didn't harm my heart

You didn't sever my sinews into shards

To rip out what you wanted

From me.

​

I want to pretend

You didn't blatantly lie

When I asked you why

You would die to save

Who we could have been.

​

The answer is in my navel

Where your fingers gently ladle

Out the truth

To lips that speak freely

Desecrate our bleeding palms

On the serum in open cracked jars.

​

Shooting stars aren't for shooting.

​

I want to pretend

I didn't say I'm sorry

I didn't break your brain to stop you

From abusing my generosity

​

I want to pretend

I didn't tell any lies

You convince me otherwise

Cuz I can't be innocent

When I'm guilty on your side.

​

The answer is in my navel

Where your fingers gently ladle

Out the truth

To lips that speak freely

Desecrate our bleeding palms

On the serum in open cracked jars.

 

Shooting stars aren't for shooting

(Dreams worth pursuing)

Shooting stars aren't for shooting

(Cradling catastrophes)

Shooting stars are for sailing

Across galaxies.

Gradient Skies

Songs

2023

Happiness is a song the rich play

Hope is a melody the poor endure

Waiting for someone

To care about them

More than money,

But do they?

For how long?

​

Strikes are the stripes on the homeless

Riots are the tears of the abused

Waiting for someone

To not use them

In so many ways

They do not wish

To be used.

​

Peace isn't war but a war song.

War isn't peace but a drum of doom.

Flutes are but pipes

Piercing eardrums

Each night

Until morning comes.

​

When will humility be a tune the rich

Sing

When will relief be a harmony the poor

Choir

No longer waiting

For the rain

On a hot summer's day

When will the floods

Carry the Ark?

​

Have you heard the whispers

Of the larks?

Pink Gradient

Painted

2023

Trend setter

I don't follow fashions

Paint my face in layers

Distract from what's natural

Go ahead

I won't yuck your yum

Just refuse to numb

My beautiful

​

So straighten your curls

Cover up in pearls

Suck your lipstick,

I love the way God painted me

Colored me in rainbows

The way the rain flows

I love the way God painted me

​

Re setter

On what's important

 Is the dollar worth it

For five years extra after taxes

Go ahead

Age less in your skin

I won't insult the rings

To your beautiful

​

When you un-straighten your curls

Uncover your pearls

Chuck your lipstick,

I love the way God painted you

Colored you in rainbows

The way the rain flows

I love the way God painted you

​

Go getter

Little friendly rebel

Wear what you like

Let's go out and dance tonight

Go ahead

Wear the socks on your arms

Wear the dress upside down

Wear beautiful

​

When we lighten our bounce

Undo every ounce

Duck the nonsense,

I love the way God painted us

Colored us in rainbows

The way the rain flows

I love the way God painted us.

Pink Gradient
Gradient Skies

Suid Afrika, My Hart,

Suid Afrika, My Land

2024

Wanneer ek onthou die lessies wat my Ma my het geleer,

Toe ek 'n kind was en rondloop in die veld van ons Heer,

Ek onthou nog steeds die land van my Pa,

Ek onthou nog steeds ons pragtige Suid-Afrika.

​

Luister liedje, vat my huis toe,

Asseblief, dra my siel,

Aan die mense wat my lief het,

Ek sing steeds oor ons heuwels.

Luister liedje, vat my huis toe,

Asseblief, dra my daarheen,

Aan die mense wat ek lief het,

Ek sing steeds oor ons land, ons juweel.

​

Wanneer ek onthou die krag en mag van ons tuine,

Onthou ek ook die braais wat smaak so lekker,

Ek onthou nog steeds die land van my hart,

Ek onthou nog die dae wat ons saam gestap het.

​

Luister liedje, vat my huis toe,

Asseblief, dra my siel,

Aan die mense wat my lief het,

Ek sing steeds oor ons heuwels.

Luister liedje, vat my huis toe,

Asseblief, dra my na my vriende,

Aan die mense wat ek lief het,

Ek sing steeds oor ons gemeenskap, ons gesinne.

​

Wanneer ek onthou die lessies wat my Ma my het geleer,

Toe ek 'n kind was en rondloop in die veld van ons Heer,

Ek onthou nog steeds die land van my Pa,

Ek onthou nog steeds ons pragtige Suid-Afrika.

Pink Gradient
Pink Gradient

Shadow

2024

I'm not your shadow,

You're mine.

I'm not your shadow,

You're mine.

 

Just because I'm darker

On the outside

Doesn't mean I can't shine

I'm not the one following

I'm building up a life

Don't push, push

Me out

It'll set me on fire.

 

I'm not your shadow,

You're mine.

I'm not your shadow,

White light.

 

Just because I'm not healed

On the inside

Doesn't mean I can't rise

I'm not the follower of your tour bus

I'm the band you left behind

Don't cry, cry

For me

My stars will align

 

I'm not your shadow,

You're mine

I'm not your shadow,

Black light.

 

Just because I'm lighter

On the other side

Doesn't mean I'm always fine

I'm not the paparazzi of your world

I'm the photographer of mine

Don't pull, pull

Me back

From my throne

 

I'm not your shadow

Or your unknown

I'm not your shade

I'm not your lamp

I'm my own masterpiece

And when I walk away

I'm not your shadow,

You're mine.

 

I'm not your shadow,

I'm mine.

Gradient Skies
Pink Gradient
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