Hands Always Be Busy

May Your Hands Always Be Busy
by Strider c 5/15/2003
May Your Hands Always Be Busy
May your Feet be runnin’ fast.
May the Sounds inside your mind
Paint pretty colors on Your Past.
May the Dawning of Tomorrow give you hope for years to come.
& may the Days that bring you Presents linger long.

As I went out a’walkin’
Down that long and lonesome Road,
I met a Man who give me Such a hot & heavy, load.
He said, “Now carry this within You ‘til the risin’ of the Sun.
Ain’t nobody else I’m askin’. You’re the One.”

Well, I asked Him “Why’d Ya pick me ?
I’ve got cares enough anow.
I’m just a little kid
& there ain't no one’s taught me how.
‘n’ I just want to catch a baseball and to watch my children grow.
Why’d Ya throw me on Your stage to do Your Show ?”

Well, He said, “I been a askin’
For a thousand years or more
but th’ Folks say they’s too busy
just a’mindin’ all the stores.
& some like shootin’ guns
& some like bossin’ folks around.
& some folks like just puttin’ on the town.

Now, there’s some a whole lot smarter,
& there’s some as brave as heck.
& some’s so high-falutin’
they’s a pain inside my neck.
Now, I put out a Call for All To live a Life that’s True.
& You’re the only one that come
You’ll have to do.”

So I’m givin’ You a message
But the words are all your own. plans
Once You figger what they be
Then, You can Sing ‘em in Your song
Now, they’re gonna call you crazy & they’ll lock You in their jail.
But, some Day I’ll come along & go Your bail.

So, may your hands always be busy,
May your feet run wild and Free
‘n’ if there’s no one else around You know that You can count on Me
so now, just do the Best that You can do
and try to do it right;
yeah, just do the Best You Can with All your might.

Now, some say, “Study Nature,” some say, “Society.”
Some say, “Mind your Manners!” & some do chemistry.
Some say, “Numbers equals Truth.” & Some say, “Money equals Love.”
You gonna have to find Your Answers up Above.

Now, it’ll take You half a Cent’ry
‘till they first begin ta hear.
They’ll slander every thing You do
And color it with Fear.
But You just keep right on a walkin’
An’ a’singin’ on Your Song
& if You sing it from your Heart
You can’t go wrong.

So May Your Hands be ever Busy
May Your Wings keep soaring High.
May the Dreams that bring You Courage
Light the rainbows in Your sky.
May the Faith which gives You Meaning
Keep Your Heart Forever Strong.
& May the Days that being You Presents linger long.
Yes ! May these Days which bring You Presence linger long.

Strider Arkansas Benston

c 5/15/2003

Clues of Life

Clues of Life

My Friends I bring you Clues of Life
I invite you to enjoy the Banquet of my Soul
My table is set before you by the Furies, the Fairies, the Fates.
The seat of Honor is emblazoned with your name
My cup runneth over.

Many long years have I searched ---
Through hovel and alleyway, field and farm,
Across the frozen tundra,
O’er mountains, through jungle, ‘cross desert to sea,
In crystal moonlight waterfalls and palaces of kings,
Among the sages of the Ages
and deep within the stars,

to gather Ruby, Pearl, and Diamond,
and silks of every hue,
and herbs of healing for revealing the Loveliness of You.

Rivers of my blood, Oceans of my tears,
And the Melody in my heart,
I blend all with a prayer that you’ll come Home to share
In the feast I prepare by the best of my art.

Yet, none but a score dared to enter my door.
Those who did come inside were so swollen with pride
Till they could not abide to sit down by my side;
Rather grabbed at my book, and on taking a look
All exclaimed with a start, “Sir ! Your soup is too tart !
All your seasons are wrong and your spice is too strong
-- and, besides, you have too many peppers !”

and they sprang to the door with a tremulous roar
leaving years of their Silence behind.
Then I searched for so long -- crafted many a song
In fond hope my Beloved to find.
But a warmed-over feast is the gift of a beast. And my tears are too heavy to cry.
So I opened my door to the thief and the whore
Who would gnaw at, my flesh till I die.

Now, some say the Blues is the child of sad news --
Some say she’s the Mother of sin.
I say “Blue is the train gone away in the rain
Bearing your Dreams and your Lover within.”