World War III, 1974

Too often people die
that I know, and I wonder
who will be next, or maybe
the dead person will be me.


Everyday, I take my life
into my own hands by
walking on the street with
all our crazy drivers.


But who knows?


A rock could drop from
the sky and wipe us
all out and no one would
think about death, then.

Untitled

Take me to see
The Wizard.
The Wizard of Was.


What was is now
What can is gone
What could is done
What would is dead.


I wasn't scared
When they told me no
I didn't cry
When they told me no.


Just take me back
To what was was
To a time where we
Played beneath the stars.


We laughed and made
Up stories from the past
Our lives were so different
From what they are now.


Take me back to
See the Wizard of Was.
Make me into a child
Again--so I am not afraid anymore.

Willie, Waylon, and Wanda, 1979

You listen to country music
            and disco until dawn...
You laugh at the insane things
            and at crazy people...
You talk about the power
            and admire the glory...
You are a paradox of fun.


There was a time when a person
 made me have fun and there were
  no strings attached and my
   withdrawal from that fun
    was almost unbearable.


Then you came along and filled
 a gap where a friend once was
  and the fun is there as well
   as the friendship and I
    thank you for that.


You take pictures
         and you are a picture...
         and you are a country girl
         at heart in the big city--Poor Kitty.

Why Can't I? (Part 1), 1971

Why can't I see
What is meant to be?


Why was life brought to me?
Can't I see?
I want to know for myself.
Why can't I?


Why are people so very strange?
Can't you get within your range?
I know it's so very hard.
Why can't I?


Why are we so very cruel?
Can't we ever love?
I want to know for myself.
Why can't I?


Who do people just not care?
Can't you see what burdens you bear?
I think I know for myself.
Why can't you?  Oh, I'm sorry, it's me (my fault)


Why Can't I?


(What we have here is a failure to communicate)

Why Hate?, 1970

Why do people hate?
They wait for that avengeful date,
They put their rifles over their shoulders,
And they hide behind life's boulders.


There are sadists all around,
In every city and town,
They shoot and they kill,
On the top of life's hill.


They laugh and laugh,
While they cut people in half,
Why can't people have love?
Don't push or shove.


The sadists are our leaders,
Some are liars and some are cheaters,
Let all wars cease,
And let us please have peace.

Why?, 1972

Why was the world made for men?
Why did happiness conquer the world?
Why has sadness taken over the world?
Why was the world created?


When was the world made for men?
When did happiness conquer the world?
When has sadness taken over the world?
When was the world created?


All questions no answers no happiness, too.
All people no worlds are in content, too.
Why did the people conquer the world?
Why did the world survive?

Will it be Different This Time?, 1978

I am not here to uphold
yourself, and I am not here
to stay with you, but if
you think that you are to
stay with me--you're right.


Did I say that just now?
as it seems for now, that's
true, but what I'm saying
here is that you and I are
happy and let it be now.


I can't take you away
from another nor do I
pretend to try, but just
being a friend to you is
enough for me right now.


Dance and have fun, for
that's all I want for
you and maybe your fun
can carry over into my
life for a while.