Pen Jen's Inkwell

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

"Hope is a Waking Dream," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

Hope is a waking dream.

She greets you in the morning,

When the sun can’t be seen.

She pierces the darkness,

Like a ray of light.

Hope is a waking dream.

VERSE:

Hope is a stubborn friend.

She reminds you to trust,

In the patterns of the wind.

She stands by your side,

When everyone flees.

Hope is a stubborn friend.

BRIDGE:

She helps you look forward,

When you’re overwhelmed with sorrow.

She lifts up your head and leads you on.

VERSE:

Hope is a rushing wave.

She fills you with strength,

When you need to be brave.

She flows to the world,

Through your hands and feet.

Hope is a rushing wave.

“Hope is a waking dream.” – Aristotle

Friday, March 14, 2025

"When the Canary Sings," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

When the canary sings,

In the coal mine,

It breathes in the poison,

But sings as a lifeline.

Crying out in freedom.

Echoes of sweet love.

CHORUS:

It sings until its last breath.

It sings despite the fear of death.

All it can do is make its melody,

Until there is no music left.

VERSE:

When the canary sings,

On the hillside,

It soars in the blue sky,

And basks in the sunshine.

Flying up to heaven.

Leaving Earth behind.

CHORUS:

It sings until its last breath.

It sings despite the fear of death.

All it can do is make its melody,

Until there is no music left.

BRIDGE:

A cage can’t hold a bird with wings,

Even with the danger life can bring.

CHORUS:

It sings until its last breath.

It sings despite the fear of death.

All it can do is make its melody,

Until there is no music left.

TAG:

When the canary sings.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

"Souvenirs," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Don’t give me trinkets.

Don’t give me tokens.

I don’t need another charm,

That leaves my heart broken,

Like daisies and diamonds,

Or photos and letters,

Even your favorite sweater.

CHORUS:

If I had to choose,

And I think I do,

I’d rather have you,

Than any of your

Souvenirs.

VERSE:

Just give me memories.

Just give me moments.

I just want another breath,

That leaves us both closer,

Like days spent in secret,

And midnight confessions,

Even the difficult questions.

CHORUS:

If I had to choose,

And I think I do,

I’d rather have you,

Than any of your

Souvenirs.

BRIDGE:

My closets are full.

My drawers are packed.

If you give me a keepsake,

I’m giving it back.

What I need cannot be bought,

But it will surely cost you.

CHORUS:

If I had to choose,

And I think I do,

I’d rather have you,

Than any of your

Souvenirs.

CHORUS:

If I had to choose,

And I think I do,

I’d rather have you,

Than any of your

Souvenirs.

TAG:

Than any of your

Souvenirs.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

"I Will Be With You," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you.

The rivers will not sweep over you.

I will be with you.

VERSE:

When you walk through the fire,

You will not be burned.

The flames will not set you ablaze.

You will not be burned.

CHORUS:

Do not fear, you are mine.

You are precious in my sight.

Do not fear, you are mine.

You are precious in my sight.

VERSE:

Now forget the former things.

Do not dwell on the past.

I am making a way in the wilderness.

Do not dwell on the past.

VERSE:

Listen, I am doing a new thing.

Do you not perceive it?

I will put a road in the wasteland.

Do you not perceive it?

CHORUS:

Do not fear, you are mine.

You are precious in my sight.

Do not fear, you are mine.

You are precious in my sight.

BRIDGE:

I made a way through the sea,

A path through the mighty waters.

I have redeemed you and called you by name,

Oh, my sons and my daughters.

CHORUS:

Do not fear, you are mine.

You are precious in my sight.

Do not fear, you are mine.

You are precious in my sight.

VERSE:

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you.

The rivers will not sweep over you.

I will be with you.

VERSE:

When you walk through the fire,

You will not be burned.

The flames will not set you ablaze.

You will not be burned.

TAG:

I will be with you.

Written in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Wildfires on 1/15/25.

Inspired by Isaiah 43.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

"Letter to Barcelona," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Barcelona,

You and I are over.

I’m sorry that you’re lonely,

But I can’t help you now.

Barcelona,

You left too much unspoken.

You missed your blessed moment.

I’ve moved to higher ground.

CHORUS:

You had a chance to love me.

You took me for granted.

You made the choice to leave me.

Now you’re empty handed.

You kissed me goodbye.

I have a brand-new life.

VERSE:

Barcelona,

Sun shines on my shoulders,

Cause love and pure devotion,

Are finally what I’ve found.

Barcelona,

I wanted to be open.

So, you’re not ever hopeful,

And don’t come back around.

CHORUS:

You had a chance to love me.

You took me for granted.

You made the choice to leave me.

Now you’re empty handed.

You kissed me goodbye.

I have a brand-new life.

BRIDGE:

You tried to keep me a secret.

You hid me from important people,

But you and I know the truth,

Heaven tried to smile on you.

CHORUS:

You had a chance to love me.

You took me for granted.

You made the choice to leave me.

Now you’re empty handed.

You kissed me goodbye.

I have a brand-new life.

TAG:

Barcelona, ooo, Barcelona.

Barcelona, Barcelona.

Sunday, December 15, 2024

"A Bleeding Rose," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

So many empty promises.

So many meaningless words.

It was like I never heard you.

I thought that you were certain.

Now there's a trail of broken pieces,

And I don't know where it's leading.

CHORUS:

My heart is a bleeding rose,

Pouring out it in anguish,

Pain that nobody knows.

My heart is a bleeding rose.

For all the times you loved me,

Now you left me in the cold.

Trampled beneath your sole.

My heart is a bleeding rose.

VERSE:

The blood runs down the alley,

And drips into the nearby stream.

The water became so bitter.

So many things you didn’t consider.

Now the blue hue is running red,

Wanted love but got heartbreak instead.

CHORUS:

My heart is a bleeding rose,

Pouring out it in anguish,

Pain that nobody knows.

My heart is a bleeding rose.

For all the times you loved me,

Now you left me in the cold.

Trampled beneath your sole.

My heart is a bleeding rose.

BRIDGE:

At least you’re in the past,

And the lies are gone at last.

Unless a rose falls to the ground,

How can new life ever be found?

CHORUS:

My heart is a bleeding rose,

Pouring out it in anguish,

Pain that nobody knows.

My heart is a bleeding rose.

For all the times you loved me,

Now you left me in the cold.

Trampled beneath your sole.

My heart is a bleeding rose.

VAMP:

My heart is a bleeding rose.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

"Nowhere to Go But Up," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

I’ve been down for so long,

That I’ve tasted the dirt.

I’ve been low for so long,

That it’s starting to hurt.

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

CHORUS:

There’s nowhere to go but up.

Nowhere to go but higher.

There’s nowhere to go but up,

Whatever the downward spiral.

Keep looking up to heaven.

There’s nowhere to go but up.

VERSE:

Now I’m looking at things,

From a different approach,

And I’m thinking of things,

Like what matters the most.

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

CHORUS:

There’s nowhere to go but up.

Nowhere to go but higher.

There’s nowhere to go but up,

Whatever the downward spiral.

Keep looking up to heaven.

There’s nowhere to go but up.

BRIDGE:

Up where the bluebirds are flying,

Up where the airplanes are gliding,

And clouds appear in a swirl.

Up where the angels are singing,

Up where the starlight is bringing,

A light to the dark in the world.

CHORUS:

There’s nowhere to go but up.

Nowhere to go but higher.

There’s nowhere to go but up,

Whatever the downward spiral.

Keep looking up to heaven.

There’s nowhere to go but up.

TAG:

Sometimes you need reminding,

There’s nowhere to go but up.