Can’t keep the wind from blowing, can’t keep it Can’t keep the wind from blowing, can’t keep it Can’t keep it, can’t keep it Can’t keep it You think you’ve fooled me with your Charade que vous êtes mieux Well, I can see right through that Yeah, I’ve got X-ray, too Your lies just keep on going The truth’s so far from view Your tally keeps on growing It’s all made up by you Can’t keep the wind from blowing, can’t keep it Can’t keep the wind from blowing, can’t keep it Can’t keep it, can’t keep it Can’t keep it I have the power of study, Which way the wind should blow This system’s far less muddy Than your dressed up snake oil show So you bring in all your cronies And you bring in all your friends Your motives will expose you Your words will be your end Can’t keep the world from knowing Can’t stop the water flowing Can’t keep the truth from showing Can’t stop the fire glowing Can’t keep the rock from rolling Can’t keep the wind from blowing, can’t keep it Can’t keep the wind from blowing, can’t keep it Can’t keep it, can’t keep it Can’t keep it Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Time to start this sinister party, who better than James Moriarty? He’s just the best at utter disaster, ladies and gents, it’s The Master. A villain, scoundrel and a crook, Yo, ho, ho! It’s Captain Hook. And at her vile and vengeful best, it’s the Wicked Witch of the West. Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Are ya feeling kinda mediocre? Laugh it up boys, it’s the Joker! Better call the health inspector, time for brunch with Hannibal Lecter. Mistress of the puppy mills, darling Cruella de Vil. Conflict eating you up inside? Not to worry. It’s Mr. Hyde! Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Bad guys always in the bad light Heroes always save the day A villain needs to do what they need Plot their revenge, and make them pay! Need some villains in the room? Place a call to the Legion Of Doom. Muggles got ya feeling down? Lord Voldemort is back in town! Need one fiend to rule them all? Clearly Sauron fits that call. Feeling like you’ve gone insane? It’s just Cthulhu meltin’ your brain! Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Villains in the room Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

If you ever find yourself on A psychotic traveler tour Hold on, ‘cause you’re in for a treat It’s such a bargain value! Oh yes, but wait, there’s more! Souvenir nightmare t-shirts, with every seat! A dreadful guide, a welcome bag, no need to tell you twice You’ll never find a better deal, a steal at twice the price! If you really want the best seat Reserve the upper deck The ghastly views are so sublime! The open air’s to die for. The fiery furnace flares. The pandemonium delivers every time! The fetid, foul and fun filled family package plan is cursed Just ask the locals, I assure you, they are all well versed. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. On the brimstone highway everyone’s boned. You’ll see all the hotspots. Now this is where you dwell. The double decker polyester tour bus ride through hell. We’re glad you have chosen us The historic hysterical, travel trailer guild. We have bus tours, get-aways, Torturous tri-axle trucks, malignant murder microcars to fill! Bottomless, the gaping maw Devours all who drop Demons dance a dark and dreary dirge The endless entertainment On a ride that never stops The netherworld express rolls on, the sinner’s endless scourge And if you try to disembark, you’ll find that you cannot You’re fate is sealed. There’s no escape! I hope you like it hot. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. On the brimstone highway everyone’s boned. You’ll see all the hotspots. Now this is where you dwell. The double decker polyester tour bus ride through hell. Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

I walk in shifting shadows Cloaked in the evening crow I dwell in darkened places It’s dinner and a show My bite’s as bad as my bark Where teeth and target meet My smile and charm is sneaky dark My dreams are rusty sweet All it takes is one little bite A one way trip, a cold dark night The breathless bite, the hungry pour Let me tell you one thing more -I’ve got a tall pine box with swingin’ doors My confession This obsession Takes possession Without discretion If life is what you value Pray to the gods you know (that)You’re never on the menu For dinner and a show All it takes is one little bite A one way trip, a cold dark night The breathless bite, the hungry pour Let me tell you one thing more -I’ve got a tall pine box with swingin’ doors Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

Shadows and shapes in the window Spectres and spooks on the porch Spiders and snakes by the garden gate Scurry and scatter, to the creak and the clatter The old house of eldritch lore Spirits, shades Phantoms, wraiths Zombies at the door Weird and wild Charmed, beguiled Trapped for evermore Gremlins and ghosts in the rafters Goblins and ghouls down below Ghastly and gruesome, you’ll shiver and quake If you step inside, you cannot hide For the old house of eldritch knows Shutter and sash collect cobwebs Ivy and iron interweave Doorways and drapes tempt and tantalize So be warned, beware, if you step in there The old house of eldritch breathes -and trespassers never leave! Spirits, shades Phantoms, wraiths Zombies at the door Weird and wild Charmed, beguiled Trapped for ever more Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

Could you please enlighten me? Where am I at? This maelstrom has spun me ‘round This way and that Life sometimes spins us all In a wild pirouette Cast to the winds And I don’t have my bearings yet I used to live way up In the top of a tree I never saw much need To look down beneath Life there was bright and clean The air fresh and good Torn loose by the winds I spiraled down into the wood! When we begin We’re cast to the wind From the start right to the end Twirling and whirling down The sun starts to fade It’s feeling much cooler now As I twist through the shade I can’t see my home above It’s so far up there Tossed by the winds I tumbled down through the air When we begin We’re cast to the wind From the start right to the end It’s getting much closer now The end of my fall I’ve drifted so far from where I once knew it all I can see others now All gathered below Raked up by the winds And there’s not far left to go When we begin We’re cast to the wind From the start right to the end When we begin We’re cast to the wind From the start right to the end Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

Exploring, discovery, yes these are our way To pioneer research, led us to the day Our mission would send us a-loft to the stars -And plot our trajectory – to journey to Mars We built an orbiter, upping our game (With a) graphite aluminum honeycomb frame (The) concept was sound, and her engines were true -But the software was flawed – and nobody knew The first spark of life, my fate already set (And) ironically had not broke atmosphere yet I’d study the air, the water and dust -The climate of Mars – was my sacred trust I leapt from the launch pad and sped through the sky (Broke) orbit and soon watched the moon passing by (My) course and speed set, I was off on my flight -Racing to Mars – through the deep dark night The orbiter slowed and approached the red rock Transmission was lost so we started the clock Forty-nine seconds before it was due -Contact was lost – and silence ensued We never heard from our spacecraft again A mix-up on Earth brought her untimely end She came to meet Mars much too low and too fast -And before she could start – her mission was past “Hello dear Earth, I’ve lost contact with you The message I’m sending is not getting through. Your numbers seem skew, can you please send again?” -As I hurtle toward Mars – could this be the end? Descending too quick, my approach was too low My frame started creaking, my skin was a-glow A bright shooting star through a midnight of rust -Claimed by the atmosphere – and my sacred trust Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

Ok. I got this. Here we go. In the daylight I am so exposed To the things I know That are not quite Where I want them to Be the things I do So I take time To look deep inside And embrace my pride There’s a lifeline When I’m lost at sea Come and rescue me Sometimes my troubled mind gives me the runaround I know, I know it’s not the only fight in town I have battle scars from where I hit the ground I’m still standing ‘cause it’s never been enough to keep me down I got this Where the seeds grow It’s so hard to think Tripping near the brink And I’m not so Analytical Or methodical So I’m learning I can dig down deep Find the strength to keep My world from burning Rise above the heat Standing on my feet Sometimes my troubled mind gives me the runaround I know, I know it’s not the only fight in town I have battle scars from where I hit the ground I’m still standing ‘cause it’s never been enough to keep me down I got this Self-destruction Comes from cloudy minds The anxious, fearful kind The seduction It’s hard to resist When the truth is missed Deep inside me I create the words Like the firebird They will guide me My core and kin It’s time to begin Sometimes my troubled mind gives me the runaround I know, I know it’s not the only fight in town I have battle scars from where I hit the ground I’m still standing ‘cause it’s never been enough to keep me down Sometimes my troubled mind gives me the runaround I know, I know it’s not the only fight in town I have battle scars from where I hit the ground I’m still standing ‘cause it’s never been enough to keep me down I got this Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

I like the brave and the bold I like that smart technique Your art will catch my eye I like that crafty streak Conviction turns my head Intelligence is key Yeah, confidence is cool And kindness speaks to me You gotta have it (in your possession) You got the keys to (soul discretion) You got the means there You’re gonna need some soul discretion There’s a little something (…you gotta have) I can’t put my finger on it But I’ll know if it’s there That understood connection That strong, courageous cool Compassion and discretion I just might be your fool A touch of fiery passion That caring, giving soul A gaze of warm desire And not too much control You gotta have it (in your possession) You got the keys to (soul discretion) You got the means there You’re gonna need some soul You gotta have it (in your possession) You got the keys to (soul discretion) You got the means there You’re gonna need some soul discretion (soul discretion) …you know when to use it (soul discretion)…you know when to choose it (in your possession) …sometimes I lose control …oh yeah… (soul discretion) Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

Fearless, she lures me on Where’s there’s no threats, no cold vendettas Or wars to be won Confident and strong She draws me in, all apprehension And misgivings gone It’s not a place It’s not a face It’s not a chase It’s not a race It simply is It simply is Painless, all symptoms gone Where hearts find peace and minds find reason And all get along Effortless, smooth and true Bathed in moonlight, stars providing Rest for me and you The sweet smile in laughter and soft harmony The calm cool communion in a hot cup of tea The campfire at twilight, a soothing caress The purchase of freedom and love’s tenderness Peaceful, calm and kind A gold green glow with love and empathy And all color blind Welcoming and warm Tranquil breeze embraces easily And shelters from the storms It’s not a place It’s not a face It’s not a chase It’s not a race It simply is It simply is It simply is Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey

I’m gonna build me a fence That no one else can see An invisible fence For no one else but me Keeps me safe inside with respect to the mass Galvanizing swear I’ll tell the whole class. We’ve gone and built us a fence Just Hadrian and me It’ll be our defense So we’re barbarian free Turning water to wine glasses filled to the top Mark the end of the road worn welcome to the big top. Excuse the views I choose to use They are only here to amuse you Take a ride, collide inside Hope you make it to the other side Well, they built a cold fence To keep the Easters east They used a lot of cement When they ran out of trees They would shoot ‘em in sight of their desperate prize For every audience watching the world’s hypnotized. Copyright © 2017 by James Mahaffey