Me 'n Alan (Tribute to Alan Jackson)

*Chasin’ Neon Rainbows,
*Riding Buicks to the Moon,
*Midnight in Montgomery
Or *Rainy Days in June
I’ve been there with you….

I’ve *‘Walked on the Rocks you stumbled on’
*Thanked God For the Radio
I’ve *‘Gone Crazy when *Hurtin’ Came Easy
But you simply said, *There Ya Go
and so I did....

When you said *I’ll Try, well I did too
And I whispered, *I’ll Go on Lovin’ You
Singing songs like *Livin’ on Love
*I Wish I Could Go Back and *Strong Enough
You helped me through

*Like Red on a Rose, aw,* Don’t Change on Me
*Everything I Love and *Farewell Party
*Wanted and *Dallas and *Must’ve Had a Ball
And *Who Says You Can’t Have it All?
So I keep on believing....

*A Woman’s Love for *The Little Man
I’ve held it *Right In The Palm of My Hand
*I’ve Climbed the Walls *In a House with No Curtains
*Listened To my Senses in *A Tropical Depression
*If Love was a River.....yes, I would

*Remember When? Oh, I sure do
And *You Are Right Where I Want You
*Too Much of a Good Thing, *Bring on the Night
*Working Class Hero, *That’d Be All right
and it turns out, it was....

*I remember where I was When the World Stopped Turnin’
*You Don’t have to Paint me a Picture of those towers burnin’
An’ I’ve seen a *Bluebird fly away
And we’re all *Works in Progress, we’ll get there *Someday
*When Love Comes ‘Round…..

*Softly and Tenderly, *I’ll Fly Away
*It’s All About Him and *What a Day Yesterday
*Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus and *Summertime Blues
And *I want to Stroll Over Heaven With You
I’ve sung every single one of these with you

Tonight is rainy, bleak and cold
But Alan, your voice is liquid gold
And *Here in the Real World I know one thing
*If I could I Would Love You All Over Again

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

*the title of a song of his

Okay..I’m an *Itty Bitty Jackson fan.
I esp. like his ballads. The only reason
I’m writing this is because the count-down
Is on for Mar. 30th. Release date for Freight Train
and because I thought it would be fun:):)

Our Song

Sometimes it plays upon my heart like the strain of a violin
And though it’s tearing me apart I beg to hear it again
I let its sorrow linger like a kiss upon my pain
As you run your fingers through my memory again

I feel the tender passion of the music as it plays
I hear the breakers crashing on a sea-shore far away
I let its sonnet linger as it sets my spirit free
I reach to touch the fingers running through my memory

As the chorus fades away like waves return to sea
As the turquoise turns to gray and touch to memory
As the silence of the present drowns out its melody
I reach to clasp your fingers running through my memory

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

J.

Tango

Like the sound of an accordion, a steady sullen beat
It’s music softly drifting down a sultry summer street
It stirs my slumbering senses in a mournful soulful tune
And in it I am carried to that lane beneath the moon

The notes like silky satin run their fingers through my mind
The present is forgotten in this melody so fine
And deep within it fans a flame of my dormant desire
As softly I call out your name I cannot quell this fire

The melody entwines itself around my trembling soul
In it I resign myself to live as though I’m whole
For I am the lone dancer in this memory sweet and kind
As I sway to the music of the tango in my mind

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

What Could Have Been.....

Sometimes I find, as the music
Filters softly through my mind
It stirs in restlessness within
As I wonder what could have been….

Sometimes I find as your memory
Caresses the song in my mind
I quell the sigh that breathes within
As I ask myself…..what could have been

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Trust in the Lord
with all your heart
and do not
lean on your own understanding...
In all your ways acknowledge Him
and He will make your paths straight.Prov.3:5-6

My Perfect Christmas

It’s not the lights that twinkle
Or the snow-flakes as they swirl
It’s not the rippling laughter
Of each little boy and girl
It’s not the pretty ornaments
A-sparkling on the tree
This is not what makes
Christmas perfect for me

It’s not the lovely music
Or the chiming of the bells
It’s not the children singing
Though I love it very well
It’s not the cookies baking
Though they’re yummy as can be
No, this is not what makes
Christmas perfect for me

It’s not the silver moon light
Casting shadows on the snow
Reflecting on that first night
Of Christmas long ago
No these things are all
Just as lovely as can be
But it’s not what makes
Christmas perfect for me

It’s eyes that sparkle
With loves warm glow
It’s hands to hold
As we dash through the snow
It’s being surrounded
By loved ones so dear
Yes, that is what makes
Christmas perfect each year

It’s saying things like
“I love you, my dear”
That is what makes
Christmas perfect each year….
…all year long

All rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Laughter

It’s born somewhere so deep within
A silent little chuckle
Until the humor makes us grin
And it begins to bubble
And we cannot contain it
So we simply let it roll
LAUGH; and don’t restrain it
Medicine for every soul

There is no sweeter music
Though you may search the world
Than the music God has placed
Within man, woman, boy and girl
For as it rings across the fields
And fills each hall and rafter
Saddened hearts are brightened
By the music of our laughter

Be it just a little snicker
Or a chuckle or a smile
Humor lights its flicker
And for just a little while
Sorrows are forgotten
Perhaps forever-after
As we hear it and join in
Healthy, hearty laughter

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Anyone with small children,
(or older ones) knows that God balances the
frustrations of parenting with
lots of opportunity for laughter,
as innocence and life meet!!!
I had such a moment yesterday morning....
minus the innocence on one party's part!!!

Brother had just proudly shown me his
basket-ball 'art'. I think he was
very pleased with the out-come, since drawing is not
his first love...basket-ball is one of them!
the next time we came to look at it SOMEONE
who loves drawing had embellished it a little
with an old lady and a triumphant beaver!!!!!
I couldn't help it...I roared! Even Matthew couldn't
help but laugh a little...it clinched Melissa's sense of 'humor'
in a nut-shell....Guess who's the nut??:):)

The Past

I could break down the gate
And force my way through
Into the garden
Where I wandered with you…..
I could gaze at the flowers
Pause in the shade
Re-living the hours
Where memories were made
I could still hear the whisper
Of the willow trees
And smell the magnolia
As they float in the breeze
The song of the fountain
Leaving troubles behind
As its care-free music
Still flows ‘cross my mind
I could pause in the stillness
Haven, almost complete
Linger a moment
On grasses so sweet
Hearing our laughter
In the cool night air
I could try to go back…but….
You would not be there

Life is a garden
Of moments rare
We cannot go back
So tend it with PRAYER!!!!

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man. Eccles. 12:13

If Only for a Moment

If only for a moment
The elements would part
And I could hear
The beat of your heart
And bask for just a little while
In the warmth of your soft smile
And if for a moment
I could hear
Your tender voice
Against my ear
Perhaps then I could
Bear the pain
If only for a moment
I could see you again

If only for a moment
My dear memory
Could be transformed
To reality
If I could listen to your whisper
And the music of your laughter
If for a moment
I could touch
The heart of you
I miss so much
Perhaps then I could
Bear the pain
If only for a moment
I could touch you again

God will help me bear the pain
Until I can see you again

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Soft Words

Like the brush of gentle fingers
On my heart your soft word lingers
Like a hopeful breath of spring
You turn this beggar to a king
Melting ‘round a heart once broken
Precious sound, oh priceless token

Soft kiss on my tears of sorrow
I no longer fear the morrow
Whispering hope into my pain
Like the sunshine after rain
I can feel it, I can hear it
As you heal a broken spirit

Soft words draw the music in
Like the sweetest violin
I tilt my head to catch its strain
Drifting ‘cross my inner plain
Lifting me above life’s boulders
Arm of love around my shoulder

What a gift of love to find
Soft words drift across my mind
When I’m alone, about to fall
Its tender tones I then recall
For naught can leave a sad heart stirred
Like a soft and gentle word

Lord, Your words are always tender
To Your whisper I surrender
Soft and gentle, reassuring
Softest voice of hope enduring
You bring healing to each hurt
With Your soft and gentle word.


All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

A soft answer turns away wrath. Prov.15:1

Memories Harps

I hear the solemn notes float by,
They fill me with melancholy
I shed a sentimental tear
As I recall a by-gone year

The music plays so slow and sweet,
Then falls in silence at my feet,
It fills me with sweet-bitter pain
For I cannot go there again

As years keep trickling slowly by
‘Neath summer sun or star-lit sky,
I gaze on pastures where I played
Among the blooms of yesterday

Now present sonnets fade away
To tune the harps of yesterday
Lord, help sound each note with care
For soon it will be playing there

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

I kinda thought that the 'music'
on my harp might sound like
a washing machine or a vacuum,
running dishwater,or well.....
you get the idea:) then I remembered
it will be laughter,all the
'I love yous'the echo of children
playing (and fighting:)and the many
little things I take SO FORGRANTED
in the busy bustle of life!
WEll, I am knee-deep in fall house-cleaning,
so today the music will be the vacuum,
washing machine.....you know:)

Heaven's Serenade

Hark, can you hear it?
Borne on the breeze
Rustling the cornfields
Brushing the trees
Rippling the waters
Touching my cheek
Heavenly music
Subtle and sweet

Wait, can you hear it?
Soft breath in your ear
Whispers from Heaven
Tender and dear
In every rainbow
In each little flower
Wait, do you hear it?
Infinite power

Hush, do you hear it?
Silent reflection
Tuning our heart-strings
To Heaven’s perfection
Written in scarlet
At Calvary
A holy love song
For you and me

Oh, do you hear it
Like a soft violin
Trickles of mercy
Let His song in
Oh, do you hear it?
His sweet serenade
A holy love song
Heaven-made

All Rights Reserved

Janet Martin

Jesus said, "It is finished", John 19:30

Sometimes I Stumble

Sometimes I am dancing,
Fleet-footed and strong
Sometimes I am flying
On the wings of a song
Sometimes like gold pennies
My blessings rain down
As I close my eyes
And twirl round and round
But the Lord has His way
Of keeping me humble
Lest I forget him
Sometimes I stumble

And instead of dancing
I fall to the ground
I strain to hear music
But there is no sound
My golden shower
Is a cold, bleak rain
As I close my eyes
And I cry out in pain
The Lord has His way
I will not grumble
At my side He will stay
For sometimes I stumble

All Rights Reserved
Aug. 2009
Janet Martin

...but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 1 Sam.2:4

Your Music

Oasis in the desert,
Slumber in a storm,
Water for my parched lips,
Cool breeze when I’m warm,
Milk and honey morning,
Nectar on my tongue,
Snuggled at Your knee, Lord
Listening to Your song

Sugar-drops from Heaven,
Ointment for my soul,
Slightly scarred and battered,
Your song makes me whole,
Joy within my midnight,
Dew-drops at high noon,
Sitting at your feet, Lord,
Listening to Your tune


All Rights Reserved

He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God. Ps.40;3