Violet

You have got my heart on a string.

I haven’t even met you and you

You have got my heart on a string.

You are brightening my senses

Ignoring all my defenses

You have got my heart on a string.

You’ve a name that makes me think light,

Posies and roses, sun-beams bright

Wonderland, daisy chains, starlight

And beautiful indigo night

You have got my heart on a string.

I haven’t even met you and you

You have got my heart on a string.

You are brightening my senses

Ignoring all my defenses

You have got my heart on a string.

Your walk is noble, full of grace

Hold your head high as faith you chase

Fill up a room yet take no space

Til all can see the better place

You have got my heart on a string.

I haven’t even met you and you

You have got my heart on a string.

You are brightening my senses

Ignoring all my defenses

You have got my heart on a string.

The moon calls birds to fly, depart

Violin strings that pull a heart

Love’s the grace that feels like a dart

My bond with you will never part

You have got my heart on a string.

I haven’t even met you and you

You have got my heart on a string.

You are brightening my senses

Ignoring all my defenses

You have got my heart on a string.

For Violet Alice Smith born September 6, 2015

Earth Day 2014

Life marches ever onward
Thousands of years come and go
Constant motion of the tides
Beings that ebb and flow

Yet, there's a change this Earth Day

Parents and all grandparents
Children arrive one-by-one
This blue-green fragile planet
The jewel of many suns

Light begins a new Earth Day

Made from nothing but stardust
She shares the genes of many
One among all on this earth
Her grace is more than any

She's our little Earth Baby

Small and trivial from space
She stands out among all others
I will give her this earth
We will care for her Mother,

For this precious Earth Girl


Welcome Jordyn Katherine Haeckel (born April 22, 2014)!

Song For A Grandson

Becoming a grandfather has had a profound effect on me. Things that used to seem important seem less so. Other things have increased in importance. I have tried to capture some of these feelings in words and melody. I offer up these words to you with an attitude of transparency. Take a look inside this heart of mine. It is full.

Posted below are the lyrics to our latest recorded song. In keeping with the themes of yesterday's blog, it is a song with much personal substance and little spectacle. Other singers might sing it better but no one could relate to it more.

Welcome to the World (Listen to the song while you read the lyrics.)
(Lyrics and Music by Mike Charko and Keith Shields; SOCAN 2013)

Well, I want so much for you, now.
You're the first of the new line;
I hope that you will love life
Become a man in time.

I pray that you will take risks,
For the sake of little ones;
Fight for those who can't fight,
And never walk alone.

Welcome to the world little man.
Master Smith has come along.
You have made a mark on my plans.
Join this dance of life with me.

I hope you take the good bits
Of the things you see in me;
Your life will not be easy
But always will be free.

I pray that you will find friends
To walk with on the way;
Those that you can count on
And brothers in the fray.

Welcome to the world little man.
Master Smith has come along.
You have made a mark on my plans.
Join this dance of life with me.

This world is getting complex;
You will cry some tears.
Many will just give up;
But always persevere.

And pain comes all too easy;
And miracles are few.
Turn your eyes upon them;
And hold them in your view.

Welcome to the world little man.
Master Smith has come along.
You have made a mark on my plans.
Join this dance of life with me.

Cross the Jordan
Will you look for me?
Running endlessly
Our lives will always be

Welcome to the world little man.
Master Smith has come along.
You have made a mark on my plans.
Join this dance of life with me.

I pray that you will sing songs,
And always have a bed
Appreciate a fine wine
And a simple loaf of bread.

Play and laugh and make love
With the woman of your youth;
Stay with her forever,
And love a grandson too.

Welcome to the world little man.
Master Smith has come along.
You have made a mark on my plans.
Join this dance of life with me.