Right Now

Right now birds are singing.

Tomorrow I may fail
or you may die
or earth may burn

But right now birds are singing.

Birds are singing
and the air is cool
the oranges are sweet
and the coffee is warm.

Later, tears may come
or fear
or broken bones and promises

But right now birds are singing.

Birds are singing,
my heart is beating,
my lungs are breathing,
my home stands,
and love lives.

Right now birds are singing.

How Much Hope Fills a Soul?

Numbers pummel our hearts, measuring gales of laughter.
How many grams does a giggle weigh?
Can you quantify the hereafter?
How much hope fills your soul today?

How many grams does a giggle weigh?
What of a chortle or a sniggering stare?
How much hope fills your soul today?
What is the weight of your heart's despair?

What of a chortle or a sniggering stare,
Are they worth an ounce of gold?
What is the weight of your heart's despair?
Can it ever be bought or sold?

Are they worth an ounce of gold - 
This fine spring day, this jasmine scent?
Can it ever be bought or sold -
This longing look, this deep lament?

This fine spring day, this jasmine scent
Will not long linger here.
This longing look, this deep lament
Will not outlast the year.

We'll not long linger here
Counting out our costs.
We'll not outlast the year,
Numbering sighs once lost.

Counting out our costs
We'll seek a different goal.
Numbering sighs once lost,
How much hope fills a soul?