Pen Jen's Inkwell: 2023

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Confidence: The Story of Eleanor Roosevelt

C is for the calm when the storm is raging fast.

O is for outlook, to put the bad things in the past.

N is for now, so you keep perspective sharp.

F is for fight, and you punch instead of harp.

I is for inspiration, to hold your head up high.

D is for divine, to praise instead of cry.

E is for elegance, to sing a lovely song.

N is for noble, to keep your character strong.

C is for clarity, to rise above confusion.

E is for excellence, to remove any illusion.

Confidence is key for anyone alive today!

Strength and courage will lead you on your way.

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

-- Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

"My Little Dutchman" in KISSES

Catherine "Kitty" Hershey sings about her husband Milton Hershey.

VERSE:

My little dutchman,

Has a big heart.

I love him so much.

Don’t know where to start.

Ever since the day,

When we first met,

He’s been my prince.

Yes, he loves my brunette.

CHORUS:

If you think he’s crazy,

You need to change your mind.

‘Cause he’ll always make you smile.

He’s sure one of a kind.

VERSE:

My little dutchman,

Has a large will.

I need him so much.

Oh, my soul be still.

He’s as sweet as punch,

With chocolate twist.

I’ve been his queen,

Since the first time we kissed.

CHORUS:

Most days he is modest.

He’s humble as a pie.

Though his check account is huge,

He’s just a simple guy.

BRIDGE:

He gives candy bars to strangers.

He gives jobs to old friends.

He won’t fear about the dangers,

Of business and its trends.

CHORUS:

If you think he’s tiny,

You better think again.

Oh, he’ll stand up to the world.

He’s not like average men.

TAG:

My little dutchman,

Is not so small.

Oh, after all,

My little dutchman,

Has a big, big heart.

Sunday, October 8, 2023

"Paint it Black and Blue," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Spray paint your story on the sidewalk.

Beat up and bruised more than twice.

The veneer is thin, and it makes cheap talk.

The stain comes with a price.

CHORUS:

Paint it black and blue if you want to.

Paint it gray and brown on the side.

Paint it black and blue if you want to.

One day a rainbow of color

Will bring the whole world to life.

‘Till then, paint it black and blue.

VERSE:

Some see the whole world in lights.

You see the whole world in shades.

It really seems more black and white,

With not much red anyway.

CHORUS:

Paint it black and blue if you want to.

Paint it gray and brown on the side.

Paint it black and blue if you want to.

One day a rainbow of color

Will bring the whole world to life.

‘Till then, paint it black and blue.

BRIDGE:

This life isn’t an accident,

But it’s filled with collisions.

Try to be compassionate,

And full of night vision.

CHORUS:

Paint it black and blue if you want to.

Paint it gray and brown on the side.

Paint it black and blue if you want to.

One day a rainbow of color

Will bring the whole world to life.

TAG:

‘Till then, paint it black and blue.

"January Winds," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

You came to me with the April rains,

Fresh as the morning dew.

You filled my life with so much joy,

But it ended all too soon.

CHORUS:

The January winds blew you away.

I’m hoping that the summer breezes,

Bring you back someday.

VERSE:

Maybe one morning in mid-July,

You’ll decide it’s time to return,

Or one humid August evening,

Your heart will start to burn.

CHORUS:

The January winds blew you away.

I’m hoping that the summer breezes,

Bring you back someday.

BRIDGE:

I’ll be waiting for you as the snow melts,

Wishing the seasons would change.

I’ll be watching for you as the storms pass,

Hoping the current would carry you home at last.

CHORUS:

The January winds blew you away.

I’m hoping that the summer breezes,

Bring you back someday.

TAG:

Bring you back someday.

Thursday, October 5, 2023

"Roses Were Wild," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

I loved you when roses were wild.

I loved you when I was a child.

In all my innocence and blissfulness,

You couldn’t have been more magnificent.

Like a field blooming in eternal spring,

You made my cheeks blush and my heart sing.

I loved you when roses were wild.

VERSE:

I loved you when roses were true.

I loved you when life wasn’t blue.

The garden grew with rain and time,

But I shed many tears when you were no longer mine.

Like a desert in the summer’s heat,

My love for you withered in bitter retreat.

I loved you when roses were true.

BRIDGE:

Oh, for the days of long ago.

How much I knew.

How much I could never know.

Oh, for the hours of simple faith.

Before many seeds I sowed were washed away.

VERSE:

I loved you when roses were sweet.

I loved you when red was indiscreet.

You weren’t the person I thought you were,

But the roses still standing are beautiful and pure.

Now flowers bloom better than before,

And I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I loved you when roses were sweet.

BRIDGE:

Oh, for the days of long ago.

How much I knew.

How much I could never know.

Oh, for the hours of simple faith.

Before many seeds I sowed were washed away.

TAG:

I loved you when roses were wild.

I loved you when I was a child.

I loved you when roses were wild.

I loved you when I was a child.

Saturday, September 30, 2023

"Arise and Walk," A GOSPEL SONG

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

VERSE:

If the sun rises,

And you cannot see its rays.

If the clouds are darkest,

And it seems the worst of days,

Be glad you have another breath.

Your story isn’t finished yet.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

VERSE:

If you can’t sleep,

But you’re tired to the bone.

If you wake at night,

And you’re feeling all alone.

Joy can find you at the break of dawn.

Soon your troubles will be gone.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

BRIDGE:

Love never ceases.

Darling, have peace.

Kindness never comes to an end.

On this you can depend.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

TAG:

And there was morning, mercy is new.

Every morning, for me and for you.

CHORUS:

Arise and walk.

Your light has come.

"Tuesday Evening Blues," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Made it through the weekend.

Didn't shed a tear.

Forgot to remind myself,

He no longer holds me dear.

The sun went down this evening.

The stars refused to shine.

Loneliness came knocking,

Saying he’s not mine.

CHORUS:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.

The two of us are through.

Don't know if I'll see him again.

I got the Tuesday evening blues,

Alone in solitude.

It's all too much for me to comprehend.

I've lost my love and my closest friend.

VERSE:

My mind debates the reasons,

He wandered from my arms.

The more I think about him,

The more my heart is harmed.

No logic to his leaving.

No answer to my whys.

No ending to my heartache.

I can only cry.

CHORUS:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.

The two of us are through.

Don't know if I'll see him again.

I got the Tuesday evening blues,

Alone in solitude.

It's all too much for me to comprehend.

I've lost my love and my closest friend.

BRIDGE:

Maybe by Wednesday these feelings will pass.

Maybe by Thursday true love will come at last.

CHORUS:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.

The two of us are through.

Don't know if I'll see him again.

I got the Tuesday evening blues,

Alone in solitude.

It's all too much for me to comprehend.

I've lost my love and my closest friend.

TAG:

I got the Tuesday evening blues.
I got the Tuesday evening,

The Tuesday evening blues.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

"Peace," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

Somebody’s standing at my front door.

He’s got a shot gun that’s loaded for sure.

Don’t know what he really wants from me.

If I knew, I might kindly ask him to leave.

CHORUS:

You can give away your heart.

You can lose a lot of time.

You can let out your every breath,

But if you want to make it through this life,

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

VERSE:

There are certain things that you just can’t lack.

What you choose to give, you can’t always get back.

Take whatever you want from my bank account.

But leave me with harmony in a greater amount.

CHORUS:

You can give away your heart.

You can lose a lot of time.

You can let out your every breath,

But if you want to make it through this life,

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

BRIDGE:

It’s more than the absence of war.

It’s being filled with conviction to your core.

CHORUS:

You can give away your heart.

You can lose a lot of time.

You can let out your every breath,

But if you want to make it through this life,

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

TAG:

Keep your peace, keep your peace.

Keep your peace, oh, keep your peace.

"Who Do You Say That I Am?," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

I say to You . . .

"Lord, who do You say that I am?

Am I broken? Am I beautiful?

Am I hopeful? Am I dutiful?

I hear what everyone else is saying,

And it can be rather dismaying.

If Yours are the words of eternal life,

Then, I’d rather take Your advice.

REFRAIN:

Who do You, who do You say that I am?

Who do You, who do You say that I am?"

VERSE:

Then, You say to me . . .

"Child, who do you say that I am?

Am I a prophet? Am I a teacher?

Am I a savior? Am I a preacher?

I hear what everyone else is saying,

And the thoughts they’re conveying.

If you hold life and death in your tongue,

Then, speak the truth from your lungs.

REFRAIN:

Who do you, who do you say that I am?

BRIDGE:

In a world where you can be

Whatever you really want,

What would you choose to be,

If you had faith enough to believe?"

VERSE:

So, You say to me . . .

"Child, who do you say that I am?

Am I weak? Am I strong?

Am I a King? Am I a pawn?

I hear what everyone else is saying,

And the music that's been playing.

If you can sing a song above the noise,

Then, stand up and raise your voice.

REFRAIN:

Who do you, who do you say that I am?

TAG:

Then you might finally know who you are.

Then you might finally know who you’ve always been.

Then you might finally know who you are.

Then you might finally know who you’ve always been."

Sunday, September 17, 2023

"I See You," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:
You're as familiar to me
As the setting sun
And the wind that blows
Through the trees.
You must have smiled my way
A thousand times before today,
But for the first time,
I see you.

VERSE:
I was always looking
Over your shoulder
When I should have
Looked in your eyes.
A person of strength and grace
Was staring me right in the face,
But for the first time,

REFRAIN:
I see you, I see you, I see you.

BRIDGE:
You’re as striking as the blossoms
That bloom in the spring.
You’re as precious as the nectar
Only honeybees bring.

VERSE:
If you’ll take my heart,
It's yours for the keeping.
It should've been yours
A long time ago.
Maybe my chance was wasted.
Don’t say love is too late.
Now for the first time,

REFRAIN:
I see you, I see you, I see you.

REFRAIN:
I see you, I see you, I see you.
I see you, I see you, I see you.
I see you.

Copyright 2008 Jennifer Waters

"She Won't Sit Among the Shadows," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

She has two children to feed.

She needs shoes for her feet.

She’s trying her hardest

To make ends meet.

Her husband works too hard,

And doesn’t get that far.

Each morning she faces,

An empty money jar.

CHORUS:

But she won’t sit among the shadows.

She won’t let her heart grow cold.

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Light overflows from the love she knows.

VERSE:

She keeps watch at night.

She never loses sight

Of heavenly bodies

That shine in her life.

In her midnight hour,

She leans on a higher Power.

God is her rock.

Her fortress and strong tower.

CHORUS:

She won’t sit among the shadows.

She won’t let her heart grow cold.

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Light overflows from the love she knows.

BRIDGE:

Though she could stay in darkness,

She refuses to let it have the final say.

Let the shadows fall away.

CHORUS:

She won’t sit among the shadows.

She won’t let her heart grow cold.

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Light overflows from the love she knows.

VAMP:

She won’t sit among the shadows.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

"Shelter," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

We've traveled hard; we've journeyed long,

With throats as dry as the desert.

Our feet are swollen, and our legs are tired.

Before we move on, we need reviving.

CHORUS:

Take me in your arms.

I’ll take you in my heart.

Together we will find shelter.

A refuge from the storm,

A haven safe and warm,

Together we will find shelter.

VERSE:

We’ll build a shield of lasting love,

A temple to withstand time,

A dwelling place that’s pure and holy,

A shrine engraved with jewels and gold.

CHORUS:

Take me in your arms.

I’ll take you in my heart.

Together we will find shelter.

A refuge from the storm,

A haven safe and warm,

Together we will find shelter.

BRIDGE:

Cover me from the darkness that pervades,

And I’ll stand before the sun and bring you shade.

CHORUS:

Take me in your arms.

I’ll take you in my heart.

Together we will find shelter.

A refuge from the storm,

A haven safe and warm,

Together we will find shelter.

"One Heartbeat Away," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

On the edge of disaster.

On the brink of discovery.

It’s a fine line to walk,

And a whole lot of talk.

CHORUS:

One heartbeat away from heaven.

One heartbeat away from hell.

One heartbeat away from truly living.

One heartbeat away from almost missing,

A new day, a new way to love.

VERSE:

In the middle of genius,

In the middle of madness,

It’s a big mess to clean,

And a lot more to glean.

CHORUS:

One heartbeat away from heaven.

One heartbeat away from hell.

One heartbeat away from truly living.

One heartbeat away from almost missing,

A new day, a new way to love.

BRIDGE:

Who knows what will happen,

As you take your next breath.

Whatever comes after,

It’s never what you ever expect.

CHORUS:

One heartbeat away from heaven.

One heartbeat away from hell.

One heartbeat away from truly living.

One heartbeat away from almost missing,

A new day, a new way to love.

"If I Ever Loved Someone," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

I’ve seen too many faces.

I’ve met too many names.

None of them impressed me,

But your essence left me

Wanting more.

CHORUS:

If I ever loved someone,

If I ever risked it all,

If I ever gave my heart,

If I ever took the fall,

It would be you, you, you, you, you,

I would choose,

If I ever loved someone.

VERSE:

I’ve known my share of hard times.

I’ve lived through dark days,

But you make my world good,

And I’m hoping that this could,

Last forever.

CHORUS:

If I ever loved someone,

If I ever risked it all,

If I ever gave my heart,

If I ever took the fall,

It would be you, you, you, you, you,

I would choose,

If I ever loved someone.

BRIDGE:

Please consider the proposition

Of you and me.

I can’t help but think

What might be.

CHORUS:

If I ever loved someone,

If I ever risked it all,

If I ever gave my heart,

If I ever took the fall,

It would be you, you, you, you, you,

I would choose,

If I ever loved someone.

"Make New Music With Me," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

I’ve heard all the rhythms.

I’ve sung all the rhymes.

I know all the chords.

I’ve danced in cut time.

Somehow it all sounds the same.

I’m tired of the empty game.

CHORUS:

Oh, make new music with me

With treble and bass

With love notes and grace.

The kind of thing

That only we can write.

Darling, I invite you to

Make new music with me.

VERSE:

I hear the band playing.

It’s jamming our song.

Everyone else

Is singing along.

Right now it all feels surreal.

I think my heart might finally heal.

CHORUS:

Oh, make new music with me

With treble and bass

With love notes and grace.

The kind of thing

That only we can write.

Darling, I invite you to

Make new music with me.

BRIDGE:

It's always a stretch at first,

But once you find the words

Never let them go.

CHORUS:

Oh, make new music with me

With treble and bass

With love notes and grace.

The kind of thing

That only we can write.

Darling, I invite you to

Make new music with me.

TAG:

Make new music with me.