CliffSongs

  Long Mile   The hours have passed, The journey is long, Not everyone you knew Has come along. The miles have passed, Long under your feet. Still, we press on: A journey incomplete.   Over the long miles, The victories and the trials, The scars and the smiles, Collected over the long miles.   The years have passed, A winding track. Is there any wisdom In looking back? The miles are past, You have come this far. So, if I may ask: Are you still who you are?   Over the long miles, The victories and the trials, The scars and the smiles, Collected over the long miles.   Are your memories lessons? What have you learned? Dare you ask the question: What bridges have burned?   Over the long miles, The victories and the trials, The scars and the smiles, Collected over the long miles.   Cliff Lake 2/22/2025 Copyright © Clifford Lake 2025

  Far and Long   It was long, long ago, And far, far away. I sat dreaming, Dreaming summer away. Summer is gone, But I dream on, Of a long ago, Far away.   Time has grown cold, Too many tales told, Dreams fall into years, They’re here, Become unclear, Then disappear. Why did I stray, So long ago, far away.   Once long ago, And so far away, I thought that I could Dream life away. Summer was long ago, It seems far away, There is much to do, Here I must stay.   So I live here, Live day by day, And dream dreams gone, Try to hold on today. And while time may heavy weigh, There was light in summer, Once long ago, And far away.   Cliff Lake 2/21/2025 Copyright © Clifford Lake 2025

  Crossroads Again   Criminals in the sacred hallways stalk. The villains have grabbed all the keys and broken the locks. How do we with these fiends grapple? They have broken into and defiled the chapel.   Fools reveling in disaster, Institutions falling faster. Where is the light we were assured? Look at the future unsecured.   Here at the crossroads again, Grasping for the receding rope’s end: Is this the choice you did not make? Is this the chance you failed to take? Here at a crossroads again.   Tendrils of infamy encircle in siege, Power being removed beyond reach, Grasped by brutes who cannot be appeased, Why would anyone choose this disease?   We once again live in oppressive clime. We fought off such straits upon a time. We stood against the evil then, We find ourselves at that crossroads again.   Here at the crossroads again, Grasping for the receding rope’s end: Is this the choice y...

  Stealin’   Another day and Another distraction Pointing away A continued subtraction.   Moving the funds from Over there to here, Three card monte, The funds disappear.   You fell for the carnival pitch, Now you see the bait and switch. Maybe you call it double dealin’, In the old days we just called it stealin’.   They tell you to trust, But their story’s too old. “Follow the money” But the trail has gone cold.   Just what are they doing With their kiddie hacks? They’ve made such a mess, It covers their tracks.   You fell for the carnival pitch, Now you see the bait and switch. Maybe you call it double dealin’, In the old days we just called it stealin’.   You thought you gave yourself a break, You thought you’d get a piece of the cake. You find out you never had a stake, This is what you voted for, cupcake.   You fell for the carnival pitch, Now you see the bait a...

  Gulf of Embezzle-O   Elon and his kiddies swarm, He says we need Xtra reforms. The U.S. is reaching new sub-norms, Watching all the DOGE deforms.   And the Orange Ogre lets it go, Bringing the U.S. low. But We the People, we still know, They plunder from here to the Gulf of Mexico.   The Gulf of Mexico, my friend, Where the dinosaur met his end, There isn’t any need to pretend, In the Gulf of Mexico, my friend.   The Oval Office internal foe, His rich guy cronies in tow, The Rule of Law is no mo’ From here to the Gulf of Mexico.   The Gulf of Mexico, my friend, Why would anyone backbend? Seems like such a dead-end, Messing with the Gulf of Mexico, friend.   How do we throw off this shadow? I think we need better ammo. They would have us exist below, Under guard from here to the Gulf of Mexico.   The Gulf of Mexico, my friend, We will not condescend. Listen as I recommend, Stil...

  A Long Way   The Big Rock Candy Mountain, The forever youthful fountain. No trouble that needs surmountin’ No trials that need accountin’.   Always in the warm mainstream, Never exposed to the extreme. A life lived on a moonbeam, That’s a long, long way to dream.   A long way to dream, Life gets in between. This ain’t no TV screen, Such a long way to dream.   Never grinded in the mill, Never having to foot the bill. It all comes as you stand stock-still, It’s merely a force of will.   Existing always in a golden gleam, Lazing your way downstream. Things are exactly as they seem, What a very long way to dream.   A long way to dream, Life gets in between. Will someone intervene, Such a long way to dream.   Would you live so happily Would you be in rhapsody Would you just find stagnancy Lost and found in fantasy?   A long way to dream, Life gets in between. It’s all ...

  Great Undo   Data breaker extraordinaire, What the hell is he doing in there? Is he still the tech sensation? Nah, he’s just stealing your information.   Top dog gives him a blank check, Standing down while the nation is wrecked. Seduced by the South African: Prez has left you for another man.   Feel them pull the rug under you, What are they really up to? Is this what you asked them to do? Welcome to the Great Undo.   Was is it supposed to go like this? Giving your info the death kiss? How do you think your life will go, When there isn’t anything they don’t know?   Look how the big man backs from his threats – What does he really want to get? When did he become X’s biggest fan? Donny has left you for another man.   Feel them pull the wool over you, What are they really up to? Is this what you want them to do? Welcome to the Great Screw You.   Will we let them in every division squa...

  They Say   “Look!” they say As they empty your plate, “The feast has just begun!” “Hooray!” they bray, “We celebrate The feeding of the One.”   “What joy!” so coy, They dangle the ploy Announced ad infinitum. “Misread!” they said, As the rats they bred, Prepare to turn and bite ‘em.   “We won!” they spun, Beating the sagging drum, And they smile gritted teeth. “You can’t!” they pant, And policy recant While quaking underneath.   “Stay away!” they pray, “Or we will surely make you pay!” Fearing that we may just have the guts. “You need!” they plead, Displaying their wanton greed, They’re complicit up to their butts.   “Unfair!” they share, While pretending they care, Their hands busy in the till. “We deserve!” they serve, Hoping they aren’t observed Thwarting the people’s will.   We see, you agree, And just where can they flee, Maybe to some golf haven. They’re debris we d...

  Pirated   We let them come aboard, Though without much trust. Ignoring tattered honor, And reputations made of rust. We gave over tiller, They claimed it was their due, Now they’re steering for the rocks, They broke the rudder in two. We hear them sing:   “We’re jolly pirates, Dangerous and bold. See us get ours, You’re left in the cold. We’re plundering pirates, We cannot be controlled, We’ll sink this ship, Once we’ve emptied the hold.”   They’ve raised the full sail, The storm strains the mast. The crew is in the brig, The passengers harassed. Some sailors remain, Surviving the cull, Someone to man the oars, Before they scuttle the hull. And the pirate sings:   “We’re mighty pirates, Blinded and bold. We’ll be jumping ship, After pocketing the gold. We’re plundering pirates, We cannot be controlled, We’ll sink this ship, Once we’ve emptied the hold.”   We are careening on, ...

  Whither Thou   Whither thou goest, Lady? Thy trials are just begun, Is sweet Liberty on the run? Whither thou goest, Thy work is not yet done!   Whither thy champions, Lady? They seem so slow to rise, Have they all but closed their eyes? Whither thy champions, They must answer your cries!   Whither thou courage, Lady? Hast thee closed thy hand, Hast thee lost this land, Whither thy courage, Thee must now make thy stand!   Whither thy children, Lady? They cry out in deepening night, They seek your flame and its light, Whither thy children, Do not abandon the fight!   Whither thy ire, Lady? Thy creed is tossed away, Thy care has been betrayed, Whither thy ire, Once more thee must seize the day!   Whither thou goest, Lady? The trials are never done, Liberty walks but never runs! Whither thou goest, This fight has just begun!   Whither thy Declaration, Lady? Whither the da...

  EO Magician   The price of breakfast isn’t falling, He says it just fell more. Isn’t it just so enthralling, Watching your savings vanish in the store?   It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t a clue, Don’t worry when it all goes wrong, He’s found out what he needs to do: He sings the Executive Order song.   It’s the spiky signature cleanse: Watch him EO away blame. The Presidential Seal of approval – No bad attached to his name.   Now he gathers the friendly billionaires, So why not crash the economy? It isn’t that he doesn’t care, It’s just that it’s not another felony.   Don’t ask him any questions, It isn’t that he doesn’t know; He just needs the right suggestion, And then sign it into truth by EO.   It’s the spiky signature cleanse: Watch him EO away blame. The Presidential Seal of approval – No bad attached to his name.   Does he see a thing he doesn’t like? He just needs that paper...

  I Won’t Say   Do you want me to say I told you so? Do you want me to Tell you how I tried? Well, I’ve got nothing to say, You can watch me walk away, I might not even say goodbye.   The first time around They fumbled and clowned, It was a circus every day. But they’ve learned a trick or two, And they’re shitting on you too, They have plans and you’re in the way.   Do you want me to say I told you so? Do you want me to Tell you how I tried? Well, I’ve got nothing to say, You can watch me walk away, I might not even say goodbye.   Do you still think you’ve won? How’s it feel under the gun, Isn’t this how you wanted it to go? Are you getting mad, Now that you know that you’ve been had, Too bad kid, I have my own row to hoe.   Do you want me to say I told you so? Do you want me to Tell you how I tried? Well, I’ve got nothing to say, You can watch me walk away, I might not even say goo...

  Seascape   Up in arms, always alarmed, By their existence, were we harmed? So, we were told promises bold, No longer our land undersold. To rid the deviant, the poisonous, They went after them, but they were us. Across mountain and expansive prairie, We seek succor taking to the sea.   And we take to our ships To find the land beyond the mists, And we sail on in hope, And to escape the tyrant’s rope.   Difference no farther than the skin, When did these lies first begin? Unwanted or unclean, What do these words really mean? Just a way to keep you down, Under someone’s boot be ground, And when one type is cleaned away, Whoever is left has their turn to pay.   And we take to our ships To find the land beyond the mists, And we sail on in hope, And to escape the tyrant’s rope.   Why do I think it won’t be me? Why does it take example to see? What will it require to be free? Is it small wonder we ...

King Thing and the Merry Xmess   King Thing was bloviating, Trying out new distortion to bring. King Thing was having a fling, King Thing was tightening the drawstring.   Merry Xmess was causing distress, Creating fireworks was what he did best. Merry Xmess made a fact abscess, Truth and equity he did suppress.   King Thing was soiling his ding, Ridiculous nonsense he would sling. King Thing his ass was wiping With the document constituting.   Merry Xmess was looking for redress From those complaining of his excess. Merry Xmess saluted regress, With a gesture too much a transgress.   King Thing had balls made of brass, Many a criminal he gave a free pass. King Thing created a morass: “Amendment, my ass!” he said with no class.   Merry Xmess had nary a qualm, With great aplomb He would truck out a bomb, While raking in all the coin he could glom.   Merry Xmess and King Thing, Spend all th...

  Runaway Time   I wake up and leave the bed, Another chance to get out of my head. Stop reviewing all that I’ve said, Make a difference somewhere instead.   Stumbling through this life’s uncertain sands, I make decisions and I make plans, Never sure how much I understand, How much effect is in my hands?   Time is running away with me, Merely an existence attendee, Leaving in my wake life’s debris, Because time has run away with me.   Wandering with purpose through the day, Hoping there’s more than just earning pay. Hoping that things don’t go far astray, Hoping that I can get out of the way.   So much out there beyond control, Toward the dark unknown I must roll. Minutes and days are swallowed whole, Time’s relentless unfurled scroll.   Time is running away with me, Merely an existence attendee, Leaving in my wake life’s debris, Because time has run away with me.   Cliff Lake 1/23/20...

  Ollie, Ollie, Oligarchy!   Why do you still hunger when you own the mill? Why is all of your speech the poison pill? Why does oppression give you such a thrill? What is this hole you are trying to fill?   You’re at the top but you never stop. Eating filet and leaving us slop. We’re meant to survive on what you drop, You’re at the top and you never stop.   Why do you never find satisfaction? Why does your addition have to be our subtraction? Why is your expansion always our contraction? Why must we always suffer your impaction?   You’re at the top but you never stop. To your tune we’re supposed to hop. At your feet we will never flop. You at the top, when will you stop?   Watching the media for you willingly whore. Genuflecting and doing obeisance at your door. You have it all and still you want more. What are you missing at your black hole core?   You’re at the top but you never stop. Men of lie...

  Passersby   Investigating an unknown system, One world there was of shining blue. But conditions there indicated That their visit was long overdue.   The planet aged prematurely, What life was left could not be gauged. The dominant species fought itself, Resources plundered past tipping stage.   And the seas and land were overburdened, And there was poison in the air. And they passed by the blue marble, Infected with greed and despair.   Wisdom had these travelers, It was argued they should reach out. But the breed was too fixed in tribal mind, A welcome reception was in heavy doubt.   The seekers watched a short time in growing dismay, As the species learned to faster consume. Spreading waste and toxins in their wake, And learned to make ever larger explosions bloom.   And the populace was overburdened, And there were weapons in the air. And they passed by the blue marble, Infected with ang...

  Cold Wind   I heard it whistling through the bare trees, A cold wind rising and stealing my ease. A greedy gale to bring me to my knees, How to stand against the wind in times such as these?   There’s a wind blowin’ through the world, And it freezes my heart. A cold thoughtless wind blowin’. Tearin’ my soul apart.   I saw it blow down the men we once did trust, Blowin’ away all good things with every new gust. I saw it blow too hard to adjust A blast so cold and heartless turning all to dust   There’s a wind blowin’ through the world, And it freezes my brain. A cold thoughtless wind blowin’. Nothing will ever be the same.   Who can stand against the whirlwind, Who remains true? Where is it we find shelter, Have we become too few?   I felt the wind blowin’ through my bones, A colder wind than I have ever known. I felt the wind and I heard the earth moan, I feel the wind everywhere and nowhere...

  Down By the Sea   Singing songs down by the sea, Of lovers lost and misery. Remains she there so lonely, Singing songs down by the sea.   A beauty fair, forever bound On barren peninsula found. Pale of hair, and skin so browned, More than one man she did astound.   With stringed shells her head is crowned, About her bodice more are wound. Long reclined on sandy mound, More than one man she did confound.   Singing songs down by the sea, Of lovers lost and misery. Remains she there so lonely, Singing songs down by the sea.   She sings her songs, hypnotic sound, Mesmerizing melodies compound. More than one man she bid come round. More than one man ran aground.   Now they see her inviting gowned, Now do they their love propound. Now do cries of distress abound, More than one man has she drowned.   Singing songs down by the sea, Of lovers lost and misery. Remains she there so lonely,...

  A King   “A king” he said and taxed their gold, Demanded homage to names of old. And gems collected and silver too, Assumed and thought it was his due.   Orders came, backed by the sword, At spear’s behest more riches stored. A mountain of bounty he caused builded, He would have all he saw gilded.   Set himself above the land, No labor would he take to hand. Dressing only in the finest cloth, A king, some said, only of sloth.   Hungrily he gathered wealth, Famished for the gold itself. An aching that he could not shed, A vacancy constantly fed.   Sat upon the gold he could not eat, Exacting fealty to ancient seat. Feeding only on his conceit, His people more valued sheaves of wheat.   His bones they found in later years. No record is found of their shed tears. Nor is found of him great acclaim, A king he was only in name.   Cliff Lake 12/28/2024 Copyright © Clifford Lake 2024