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Maria posted the first verse of this poem on FaceBook and I asked her if she would like to turn this into a song and co-write it together. Thankfully she accepted and she wisely ignored all my lyric suggestions and completed the rest of the poem. This resulted in a fascinating puzzle for me to put these intricate words to melody.

lyrics

LOVELY EMPTY STRONG and BRAVE

I am lovely, empty, strong and brave.
Like a nun before an open grave,
I could fall into the emptiness,
Break my bones, and tear my dress;
But for a while I would remain
Lovely, empty, strong and sane.

Strength declines and beauty fades
God forgives, and Jesus saves;
Yet no matter my tomb bare or filled,
My emptiness could not be killed
I would lay there in the crypt
As empty as before I slipped

I do not lack for prayer or pain,
Yet lovely, empty I'd remain,
For hunger born of solitude
Cannot be fed by heaven's food;
And tragedy cannot restore
A fullness never there before.

But if my time on earth permits,
I would relent and beg your kiss;
And humbly stretch my arm to you,
Allow your hands to make me new,
Renounce the foolish pride of mine
That sealed my lips and steeled my spine.

No God, no loss, no length of time;
But burning fingers (yours and mine),
And terrifying sweet release
Will shatter all the empty peace.
Then lovely empty strong and proud.
Is fragile, ugly, weeping, loud,

Full and finally full and open-lipped,
Broken open, shorn and stripped.
For when you finally pierce my pride;
There will be joy and terror side by side;
But please, no soft words for my fears,
lovely empty bowls to catch my tears

credits

from Enlightened Madness, released January 1, 2014
Lyrics written by Maria Barnet

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Daniel Mandel Oakland

I'm so glad you found my Bandcamp page! I am a singer songwriter, I play guitars, keyboards, strange synthesizers and amazing virtual instruments. I love the craft of songwriting. I am also a Life Coach and a podcaster! I am actually very down to earth and would welcome hearing from you! ... more

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