Baker Street

The window glows on the 2nd floor
At 2204 Baker Street.
It’s been on for months, but no one notices
Life goes on to the same beat.

Can some one live without any one else?
Even to hear a stranger’s hi?
She neatly sits as the silence grows
Barely a whispered sigh.

The only ones who take note are the children
Mischief-makers to many
But they are the ones who seek her out;
They look for the old Granny.

Old, that eternally changing yardstick
She picks up the Big 5-0- card
A single card, and no call in two weeks
When reality hits, it hits hard.

Too many think they turned to bottle
To self-destruct or just give up.
She opened her wine like a brothel
And she poured her queen’s cup.

The window glows on the 2nd floor
And the gentlemen are about
All the wealth and glamour she adores.
Just about then she blacked out.

The window glows on the 2nd floor
At 2204 Baker Street.
It’s been on for months, but no one notices
Life goes on to the same beat.

By Dave Schipper © 2010 Rose Riversongs

I...

I write within the lines
and scribble in the margins.
I am partners with great software
But curse many hardware stores.
I look down to catch beautiful curves
And love to look up into eyes.
I am worthless pile of skin and bones
But I’m loved by the innocent.
I will wake with a smile on my face
And I will die content.
Especially if you are smiling now.

By Dave Schipper © 2010 Rose Riversongs

Discarded Tin

Discarded blue enamel tin;
Beer bottles saved from abandoned breweries.
We walk thru our crowded din
To laugh at our insatiable need for sundries.

We define ourselves with stuff
Wooden eggs, milk cans, and coffee pots
Antiques decorator pieces sure enough
But let’s grasp the real mission of our lot.

We need to love each other more
We need to run, laugh, and fall naked to the ground.
We need to think more off shore.
We need to get off our duffs and out of town.

Discarded kitchen things won’t define
Us in any weird sense for all eternity
So let’s let our light shine
And pull some one else out of disparity.



By Dave Schipper © 2010 Rose Riversongs

Across the River

Across the river to the house of ill repute
Marked the ghostly traveled evil trade route.
They were legends they were men
Their blood would flow from that gambling den.

When the midnight fell across Pace isle
Curses melted this frail woman child.
Laughter and smoke filled the air so vile
Rot in hell you damn pedophile.

Across the river came boat sleek and dark
Filled with men from the local city Clark.
Dressed in black and dressed to kill
In just moments, their wishes were filled.

As the door opened and they walked in
The was no shattering this crowd’s din
Their way was clear to the backdoor
And seconds to settling the score.

Across the river the shots cried out
The law handed to this pathetic lout
The dark angels showed no mercy around
The blood flowed on this evil ground.

When the midnight passed across Pace isle
Solemn embraced this frail woman child
Silence and smoke fill the air so vile.
Rot in hell those damn pedophiles.

Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Playlist

Playlist © Dave Schipper 2005 Rose Riversongs

The same old songs are on my play list
Each song is tied to a time and place
And too many paint a picture of your face.
The one I lost along the way

Longing for a passionate kiss
Jimi’s Angel Flying in the skies
With brown eyes that Van describes.
Your my Paradise

From the start we were born to run
Unabashed on carefree highways
Now I think you were still the one
Or am I just crazy. Chorus

Can’t forget our moondance
Washed in the midnight hour
You didn’t save the last dance
And sweet dream did sour

Now I’m down by the river
Alone and so blue
Love could be around the corner
But I sing this song for you. Chorus

Time to color my world anew
Start listening to new music
Get drunk, find someone to screw
And start the dance they pick Chorus

Josie Mae

Chorus:
Oh Josie, Josie Mae,
Cute as pie, they all say
When you dance and look their way
Oh Josie, Josie Mae,

Oh Josie, sway & swing
Your baby’s due late next spring
When you smile at your gold ring
Oh Josie flap your angel wings

Oh Josie, take your man downtown
You won’t tease your lovin’ clown
When you stand in your weddin’ gown
Oh Josie you should wear a crown.

Oh Josie, put a flower in her hair
You’ll take her to the county fair
When you say your mama’s prayer
Oh Josie she gets tender care.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Counting Words...

You’ve got me counting words,
Analyzing lines and extrapolating whys.
Baby you know I think too much
But you give me data for thought.
In the silence I ponder each word
Each phrase has many meanings.
Oh sure I could be dancing
Creating new definitions and context.
Yet at the end of my analysis
Is a positive view of you; and I smile.

by Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

That Bitch

I looked down and saw my shoes.
Surely shows I’ve paid my dues.
I thought of you in room downstairs
Naked for all the boy to stare
When life takes form to fit
Wake me up with this bitch.

Colors turn and fade to gray,
Life unravels so they say
Just when I find foothold strong
Some one answers in a song.

So I grabbed my keys and went along
She started shouting I was wrong
I looked down and saw my shoes
They were covered with last night’s news
When life takes form to fit
Send me home from this young bitch.

Last few years, I’ve turned around
Hunkered down in this old town
I know some old ones who care
They don’t look down or stare
When life gives you a chance to fit
They must have sent home that bitch.

© 2009 Dave Zeman Rose Riversongs

Duckin' stones, a Protest song

I live my life duckin’ so many stones.
My hands are free, but I feel alone.
Both sides take aim at the weary bill.
Both exclaim there is a poison pill.
I suppose I should stop and listen.
Decipher which is God’s position.
I do expect that answer is neither
Jesus wouldn’t even need a breather.
He’d remind us of the question that stands,
When he needed help, “Did you lend a hand?”

I walk thru life duckin’ so many stones.
My way is clear and I don’t go alone.
I walk with the sons of Abraham,
Yes, Christian, Jew and Muslim
Side by side, homeless, poor and gay
Ducking the stones and words they say
Lest we forget the word cast in stone
Don’t idolize words from a radio throne
But let the words of Jesus help
Go out loving one another as yourself.

Go out and shout
Drop the stones, drop the stones.
But do not doubt, you’ll be
Duckin’ stones, duckin’ stones.

© 2009 Dave Schipper Rose Riversongs

Talkin' Differences in Sexes

Ok folks, it’s plain to see, that I’m talkin’ differences ‘tween you and me.
Or should I say them and us, you know vagina versus the old penis.
I’ve been around a time or two, enough to see a closet full of shoes
But when I went to write ‘em down, I was worried to be shipped out of town.
You know Rush Limbaugh style, angry, confused, blabbering all the while.

Now this shouldn’t be an editorial bit, so I used THE google and McCained it.
You know in this digital age, you just search and copy some body else’s page.
So armed with a laptop and coffee, I got my windows to look at me.
Point and click info by the ton, ohhhh better put the adult filters on.
Just incase you try this at home, don’t try that with thing with foam.

Back to work and just like I thought, lists and lists of haves and have nots.
Some pretty scientific stuff, when I thought camo versus pink fluff.
There’s left brain / right brain, and why women explain and explain
There’s x y, mars and venus, and oh yeah then right back to the penis
So who here before the age nine, played you show me your I’ll show you mine?

Mumble… after age nine… hmmm look me up sometime….

Hair style is difference I relate, hell mine been the same since 8.
Yes all that time to get ready, and you just better notice Freddy.
She’s worked hard at getting it just right, even if it’s a bun pulled tight.
Darlin you look good tonight, no, no really I meant outta sight.
Sure the game is on, but I looked at you really, really, really.. hey he’s gone.

So if I make it through this song, and married to my favorite one.
It just means that difference attract, and then find a way to react.
Most women are saints you know, and successful guys will surely show
Their pride and joy that brings them dinner, after they said she looks thinner
Yes indeed, I meant every word, thanks for the dinner hun.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs
Many thanks to Woody Guthrie and Charlie Maguire for inspiration.

Ode to Josie

Ring around the rosie
A bouquet of posies
For a girl named Josie.

Ah she smiles as she’s heard
These lines til they’re absurd
Maybe she relishes each word.

Yes indeed we overlook
Each “by hook and by crook”
As simply gobbly gook

But they are threaded in
Yes much to our chagrin
As just part of our skin.

So with a wink and smirk
Josie kept right to work
Ignoring this old jerk.

‘til next time that is… HA.

© Dave Schipper 2009 Rose Riversongs.

Meander..

I meander down these streets
Soaking up the history
This little river town is home
It’s beauty is before me.

There were no building rules then
Do whatever that was up your hat.
Funny, just like God did with us
“Let’s try something like that!”

As I do with the people I meet
I peer deep in the house’s eyes
To find the brilliance or darkness
No facts here, but I editorialize.

The lawn unkempt and broken panes,
I could really restore her.
A tiny bungalow with cool back deck
I absolutely adore her.

A grand old two story brick,
Now this one intimidates me
A garden and fat cat in the window,
I wish there was room for me.

Life is too short to waste
But if meander you way thru
You’ll have a chance to catch life
From a character or two.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs…
Photo Credit

Ellie Mae.

The first time I saw you, I thought it was a dream
Dancin all around me, just like a Cajun Queen.
You were in my prayers Lord, protect her everyday
What a little darlin, that little Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
Your God’s gift from above, I give my hand in love, Ellie Mae

So now some years have passed, that smile’s still on your face.
Still a little angel, full of love and grace.
All my prayers were answered, your with a boy today.
A strong and lovin’ man, for little Ellie Mae.

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
He’s God’s gift from above, give him your hand in love, Ellie Mae.

The next time I see you, a smile still on your face.
Your Sis on the banjo, new Dad upon the bass.
Harmonies a flowin’ and what a joy to say.
Twin girls ‘round the feet of little Ellie Mae.

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
Their God’s gift from above, give them your hand in love, Ellie Mae.

By Dave Schipper © 2004 Rose Riversongs

Dedicated to the inspiration to the song, Ellie Grace. Photo Credit

This Warehouse Girl

This warehouse girl
In her denim blues and t-shirt
She picks me up
Tapes my cardboard heart together

This warehouse girl
She catches the guys in deep stares
Brown days and nights
Oh she wasn’t handled with care

Punch me in
Pack me right
At shift’s end
Wrap me tight

This warehouse girl
She scanned my heart with dark eyes
And checked me out
Boxed up tightly with her smooth lies

This warehouse girl
Lives a life that others whisper
She ships me out
Down the line to a new lover

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

photo credit