Time and Transcendence

Some say you are a neutral conveyor;
Others see a grim, subtle betrayer.

Time, what have you done with my youthful dreams?

Time, what are these languid, converging streams?

What are you doing? Where are you taking me?

When will the shadowlands disappear?

Where are the ones I love who wait for me?

Is it a distant realm, or are we near?

Through the misty valley of death's shadow,

Toward an elevated, distant plateau,

Lead me, but will you not pause to show me

A world where I'll know the ones who know me?

What are you doing? Where are you taking me?

When will the shadowlands disappear?

Where are the ones I love who wait for me?

Is it a distant realm, or are we near?

Time, will I someday know as I am known?

Yes, that's what I believe; that's what I foresee.

So why do I feel so lost, so alone?

Why is this life such a deep, dark mystery?

(instrumental interlude)

Time, how close am I to the journey's end?

Time, let me glimpse what I've yet to transcend.

What are you doing? Where are you taking me?

When will these shadowlands disappear?

Where is the One I love who waits for me?

Is it a distant realm, or are we near?

© 2020 David Acosta

The Glorious Light

The true Light who gives light to everyone

Has come to the world; come and see.
The Holy One whose love outshines the sun:
The true Light of heaven is he.

Lift up your hearts; fear not.
Love is dispelling the night.

Cast off your cares; look up.
Here comes the glorious Light.

The people who had walked in darkness deep

Have seen a magnificent light; 

The uneven ground and the mountains steep

Have leveled themselves at his sight.

Lift up your hearts; fear not.
Love is dispelling the night.

Cast off your cares; look up.
Here comes the glorious Light.

"Behold, I am doing something new;

Now it springs forth;

Do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness,

Rivers in the desert."

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,

And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Lift up your hearts; fear not.
Love is dispelling the night.

Cast off your cares; look up.
Here comes the glorious Light.

Here comes the glorious Light:

Yeshua.

© 2020 David Acosta

Have Yourself a Nice Thick Slice of Fruitcake

(a parody of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," by David Acosta)

Have yourself a nice, thick slice of fruitcake.
Such a sweet delight!

Come on, try it;

You will savor every bite.

Take a chance now; don't reject my fruitcake.

Please don't run away.

Be a good sport;

Why would you suspect foul play?

Fillled with apples and sun-dried dates,

Lots of golden raisins—yum!

Cherries red and green soaked in rum!

And it's drenched in love! Have some.

Every year I'll give you some, I promise.

Hey, don't spit it out!!

Stop that retching and kvetching—settle down!

And have yourself another slice of fruitcake now.

© 2020 David Acosta

Frankincense, Friends, and Fruitcake

The tiny porcelain Magi underneath my Christmas tree
Were bearing treasures for the little child they longed to see.

One of them nodded, smiled at me--and then I watched him wink!

I thought, how can this be? I didn't know what to think.

I know you're sure I've lost my mind, for none of it makes sense.

But I was resting, meditating; and, in my defense,

The story came alive; oh my, and it was quite intense!

I found myself among them, holding frankincense!

~

My treetop seraph fluttered and began to sing a song:

"The Babe is born in Bethlehem, ye shepherds; run along."

The shepherds boarded my toy train, then ran quick as they could

Toward the stable and animals, all made of wood.

My spirit apprehended it; my doubtful mind refused.

You know, I must admit I really felt a bit confused.

What should one say or do when a treetop angel descends

And shouts, "Don't be afraid; you are now among friends!"?

~

The spellbound shepherds knelt before the infant Son of God,

Their L.E.D-lit eyes star-struck, their weightless spirits awed.

My toy train made its way around the tree again and stopped.

Santa fell from his sleigh! Twelve Christmas tree balls popped!

Just then, a choir of angels started belting out a hymn!

They danced upon the toy train--that's when my sight grew dim.

Was it a dream? It felt so real! I'm sure I was awake!

Oh, why did I have three helpings of rum-drenched fruitcake?

© 2020 David Acosta

Breathe Your Air

The headlines are at it again tonight.

Pundit parrots rage; they love to squawk and trill.

Fear is now in vogue; keep your hopes airtight.

Oxygen is dangerous, they say; sit still.

I wanna breathe your air.

Have you got some to spare?

Say when, say where; I'll be there.

I'll drop my mask, I swear,

And leave this stale nowhere.

I wanna breathe your air.

Yeah, I wanna dance like I used to dance,

Heedless of the critics' loose, elitist tongues.

When the music plays, let it drown their can'ts.

Find the truth; inhale it deep into my lungs.

I wanna breathe your air.

Have you got some to spare?

Say when, say where; I'll be there.

I'll drop my mask, I swear,

And leave this stale nowhere.

I wanna breathe your air.

Will I live my life, or merely put it on hold?

Isn't that really just a slow death?

Before you know it, they'll make you wear a blindfold,

Yeah, and regulate your every breath.

Now, I am not promoting carelessness;

"Love your neighbor as yourself" still stands.

But they've shut down my neighbor's business;

Should I hide behind my mask and wash my hands?

I wanna breathe your air.

Have you got some to spare?

Say when, say where; I'll be there.

I'll drop my mask, I swear,

And leave this stale nowhere.

I wanna breathe your air.

© 2020 David Acosta

Highland Halls

All who dwell in the lowlands,
Come to the Highland Halls.
There's a sanctum in the woodlands,
A building without walls.
Weary feet and restless hands,
Be still, as mercy falls.

Leave your cares behind and rest;

All your fears will dissipate.

Buy that which is free; be blessed.
There is no collection plate.

Let the Spirit lift you up
To the realm where saints abide.
See the overflowing cup,
Healing virtue from his side.

All who dwell in the lowlands,
Come to the Highland Halls.
There’s a sanctum in the woodlands,
A building without walls.

Weary ones, his wounded hands

Will save, as mercy falls.

Hope is nesting in the trees;

Peace is flowing from above.

See the manna in the breeze;

Taste the honeyed words of love.

Join all nature; worship him;

He will hear us when we call.

Let us sing a thankful hymn

To the One who beckons all.

All who dwell in the lowlands,

Come to the Highland Halls.
There's a temple in the woodlands,
A building without walls.

Souls beloved, lift up your hands;

Rejoice, as mercy falls.

Angels and saints await you;
The Spirit will elevate you.

He loves you; he gently calls:
Come to the Highland Halls.

© 2020 David Acosta

Aidan

Aidan, you're a diamond,
But your spark is now a dark glare.

Aidan, you're an island,

Drifting toward a stormy nowhere.

Aidan, you're a speaker,

But you fear your words will fall flat.

Aidan, you're a seeker;

Throw away your fear-of-change hat.

What are you waiting for?

Why are you grumbling in the grim gray?

Step into the canvas; maybe you'll color it in.

You've always wanted more;

Why are you standing in your own way?

Aidan, take a chance, now; isn't it time to begin?

Aidan, you're an outcast

Running from a disappointment.

Aidan, you're so downcast,

Still expecting an anointment.

Aidan, you're a wonder.

Tell me, now, does that surprise you?

Aidan, tear asunder

All those doubts that paralyze you.

What are you waiting for?

Why are you grumbling in the grim gray?

Step into the canvas; maybe you'll color it in.

You've always wanted more;

Why are you standing in your own way?

Aidan, take a chance, now; isn't it time to begin?

But it's not enough that I believe in you;

It won't do, Aidan, unless you believe it too.

(instrumental interlude)

What are you waiting for?

Why are you grumbling in the grim gray?

Step into the canvas; maybe you'll color it in.

You've always wanted more;

Why are you standing in your own way?

Aidan, take a chance, now; isn't it time to begin?

© 2020 David Acosta

When I Was a Young Man

What did I do with my plans?
They left me high and dry so long ago.

What are these roads on my hands?

Where am I now? Please show me where to go.

You are the only one who knows

Every part of me, yet somehow you remain

Steadfast through all my highs and lows.

And when it feels like I've lost more than I'll gain...

Hold me; help me see

The path you have paved for me.

Love me as only you can.

Show me I can be

The lover I could not be

When I was a young man.

Where are the friends I once knew

And the seemingly boundless dreams of youth?

There's so much I would undo,

Now that I'm older, aware of the truth.

You are the only one who knows

The answers; all my guessing is in vain.

Guide me through all my highs and lows;

And when it feels like I've lost more than I'll gain...

Hold me; help me see

The path you have paved for me.

Love me as only you can.

Show me I can be

The love I could not be

When I was a young man.

I'm not quite an old man,

But I'm getting closer and closer

To seeing what's on the other side.

Hey, at least I've learned that

I need no longer be a poser,

A cocky kid clinging to his pride.

   

(instrumental interlude)

I feel free, walking down this road.

And if I lose my way, lead me back again...and

Hold me; help me see

The path you have paved for me.

Love me as only you can.

Show me I can be

The lover I could not be

When I was a young man.

© 2020 David Acosta

Light My Way

What I am is not what I hope I'll be;

What I see now isn't what I shall see.

My desire is to become as you are;

I know you are near, but I feel so far.

So I'm asking you, Lord, make me new.

Is it possible? Tell me it's true. 

Light my way, and help me follow;

Show me what I've yet to perceive.

Take this hard heart, cold and hollow;

Touch me now, and help me believe.

I don't want to live inside a dark dream,

Floating down an ever restless doubt stream,

Forfeiting the peace I know you've given,

Wishing I could leave the maze I live in.

But I'm done with wishing; wishes fade.

Your love stays when dreams have strayed.

Light my way, and help me follow;

Show me what I've yet to perceive.

Take this hard heart, cold and hollow;

Touch me now, and help me believe.

Lord, I pray not my will.

Your ways are higher; your will be done.

I will trust; I'll be still.

You will finish what you have begun.

Light my way, and help me follow;

Show me what I've yet to perceive.

Take this hard heart, cold and hollow;

Touch me now, and help me believe.

Light my way, and help me follow;

Show me what I've yet to perceive.

Take this hard heart, cold and hollow;

Touch me now, and help me believe.

© 2020 David Acosta

The Realm of Love

I don't understand your terminology;
You say love is just a feeling fooling us.
Might as well succumb to mere mythology,
Where love is an imp with arrows venomous.

Is love something we can trust?
Is it more than what we feel?
Does it consist of stardust?
Vanna, should I spin the wheel?

What if love is an inner thunder, 

A pulse we can not sense until we see
That we are more than what we think we own,
And more than the things we're dreaming of?

And what if love is an unseen wonder,
Beyond the mist that clouds what we shall be?
Will we ever know as we are known?
Will we step into the realm of love?

No, it's not a clicked link in our gadgetry,
And it's not a cosmic message staticky.
Far beyond our circuit-circus pageantry,
Love is longing for the day when we will see (that)...

Love is an inner thunder, 

A pulse we can not sense until we see
That we are more than what we think we own,
And more than the things we're dreaming of.

And love is an unseen wonder,
Beyond the mist that clouds what we shall be.
Will we ever know as we are known?
Will we live inside the realm of love?

(instrumental interlude)

Too many definitions;
It's all a skewed hieroglyph.
What's with all the conditions?
It's puzzling, yeah, but what if...

What if love is an inner thunder, 

A pulse we can not sense until we see
That we are more than what we think we own,
And more than the things we're dreaming of?

And what if love is an unseen wonder,
Beyond the mist that clouds what we shall be?
Will we ever know as we are known?
Will we dance inside the realm of...

Love, where is it?
Lead me to it.
I need it.
Gotta find it.
The realm of love...
The realm of love...
The realm of love...

© 2020 David Acosta

Are You Gonna Dance, or What?

The day is fading,

And the band is waiting

For you to make up your mind.

The bass is grooving,

While you're disapproving:

"It's all just so unrefined."

So you quit and sit this one out, as well,

And you wait for someone to break the spell.

Like an unimpressed, immovable tower;
Like a vibrant force relinquishing power,

You're stuck in a self-made rut.

Are you gonna dance, or what?

The world is spinning,
But your hopes are thinning;
You've shouted your last amen.

Your dream is calling,

But you just keep stalling;
You settle for less again.

So you quit and sit this one out, as well,

And you wait for someone to break the spell.

Like an unimpressed, immovable tower;
Like a vibrant force relinquishing power,

You're stuck in a self-made rut.

Are you gonna dance, or what?

And who are you listening to?

That isn't your true point of view.

It's a voice you recognize;

It's a lame litany of lies.

But it mesmerizes you; it's so entrancing.

And you're snoozing again when you should be dancing.

But you're calm and cool in your comfy shell.

And you say, "it's my life, and what the hell."

Like an overdressed, over-it-all wallflower;

Like a great empire in its final hour,

You;re languishing in your rut.

Are you gonna dance, or what?

Are you gonna dance, or what?

Are you gonna dance, or what?

Are you gonna?

© 2020 David Acosta

The Procrastinator's Game (I'll Get to It Later)

Spin me, spin me around;
Where will I land?
I am adventure bound,
A one-man band
Of thoughts and feelings I can't tame.
So I play the procrastinator's game.

Hi there, I'm the DJ
At FM Me!
What's your pleasure? I'll play
A fun oldie.
So glad to meet you--what's your name?
Welcome to the procrastinator's game.

Tuckin' away my long to-do list; 
I'll get to it later.
Fun is the one thing on my new list,
My stress detonator.
So long, gratification delay;
I'll change my mind someday,
But not today.

Looking glass, look away;
I'll be okay.
I need a holiday,
A break today.
I've lost my planner--what a shame!
Guess I'll play the procrastinator's game.

Tuckin' away my long to-do list; 
I'll get to it later.
Fun is the one thing on my new list,
My stress detonator.
So long, gratification delay;
I'll change my mind someday,
But not today.
  
[instrumental interlude]

Tuckin' away my long to-do list; 
I'll get to it later.
Fun is the one on my new list,
My stress detonator.
So long, gratification delay;
I'll change my mind someday,

But I'm tuckin' away my long to-do list; 
I'll get to it later.
Fun is the one on my new list,
My stress detonator.

Tuckin' away my long to-do list;
Yeah,  cuz life is a fleeting dream, a mere mist.
Said I'm tuckin' away my long to-do list.
I'll get to it lay-lay-lay-lay-get to it later.


© 2020 David Acosta

What Eye Has Not Seen

What eye has not seen, what ear has not heard:
That is what we will someday discover.
In the fulness of times love will uncover
Mysteries hidden in the Word.

The Word is the Light above;
He is the luminous Son of love,
The One who is worthy of
Honor and glory, the Lord of love.

Whose works compare to the works of the Lord?
He is the mighty King, forever adored.
There is no other name, no other One:
Jesus, the Savior, the glorious Son.

What eye has not seen, what ear has not heard:
Yes, I believe it's true; I will be there.
Evermore we will be safe in his care.
I close my eyes; I'm soaring like a bird.

The Dove will show me the way;
He is the wonderful Spirit true,
The One who takes brittle clay--
Softens it, shapes it, and makes it new.

Whose works compare to the works of the Lord,
The King of creation, evermore adored?
There is no other name, no other One:
Jesus, the Savior, the glorious Son.

What eye has not seen, what ear has not heard:
The culmination of "love one another,"
The restoration, the love of the Father,
The Spirit's fellowship, and the grace of the Word.

Whose works compare to the works of the Lord,
The King of creation, evermore adored?
There is no other name, no other One:
Jesus, the Savior, the glorious Son.

[1 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 13:14]



© 2020 David Acosta

Everybody Ought to Be in Love

Everybody ought to be in love with you:
Heart over heels, smitten without a cure,
Lost in the wonder of a love that will endure.
Everybody ought to be in love with you.

If love is a faith road, why do we wander?
If love wants to lead us home, why do we stray?
Oh, the depths of the riches we would ponder
If we were to choose love's ever-blessed way.

Everybody ought to be in love with you:
Heart over heels, smitten without a cure,
Lost in the wonder of a love that will endure.
Everybody ought to be in love with you.

If love is a highland, why do we linger
Deep in the shadowlands of uncertainty?
If love is the song of a glorious singer,
Why do we run away from the melody?

Far above the helpless restlessness
Of a world where hope gives way to despair,
There's a realm of restful blessedness
Where we can go and cast our every care.

[instrumental interlude]

Everybody ought to be in love with you:
Heart over heels, smitten without a cure,
Lost in the wonder of a love that will endure.
Everybody ought to be in love with you.

Everybody ought to be in love with you.
Everybody ought to be in love with you.
Everybody ought to be in love with you.


© 2020 David Acosta

One with the Sun

The beach at last--and what an afternoon!
The sun is in love with the earth, it seems.
Tonight you'll be enchanted by the moon;
But now is not the time for lunar dreams.

The day orb has summoned you to this shore.
Frolicking is a must; kick up that foam.
Iced lemonade will melt your earthen core,
As wild, wispy waves whisper, "Welcome home."

There is no chaos here, no hate, no fear,
No breaking news to crack your point of view.
And what a view it is, so crystal clear!
You are one with the sun; you are brand new.


© 2020 David Acosta

Love Breeze

We have been waiting.
Do you see us here,
Holding on to hope?

Visions are fading;
We wrestle with fear;
In the dark we grope.

Lead us to a higher place;
Calm our ever-restless hearts.
Lift us from the maze of self-made odysseys.
Bring our spirits face to face
With the One who made the stars.
Drive away these shadows, merciful Love Breeze.

We're always searching,
Never satisfied;
It's all vanity:

Winds we keep chasing,
Fantasies we ride,
Dreams of what we'll be.

Lead us to a higher place;
Calm our ever-restless hearts.
Lift us from the maze of self-made odysseys.
Bring our spirits face to face
With the One who made the stars.
Drive away these shadows, merciful Love Breeze.

Place us on a pathway of truth and light,
And keep our minds on things above.
Steer our hearts when we veer left or right
And clothe us in clean garments of love.


Drive away the shadows...

Lift us from the maze...


Lead us to a higher place;
Calm our ever-restless hearts.
Lift us from the maze of self-made odysseys.
Bring our spirits face to face
With the One who made the stars.
Drive away these shadows, merciful Love Breeze.


© 2020 David Acosta

Movin' On

He doesn't really want to go,
But he needs a new scene.
If he could design it, you know,
He'd build a time-machine.

No more hesitation;
   the doubts are gone.
The road awaits him now;
...he's movin' on, because...

Love doesn't disregard;
   it doesn't look away.
Love: isn't it something
   that is meant to last?
Love doesn't toss aside;
   it makes you want to stay.
But it's time leave the
   disenchantment in the past.

The inner sanctum where he'd hide
Is an altered altar;
The time has come to step outside
With his song and psalter.

It's been a hard lesson,
   a painful one.
Nothing he can do now;
   what's done is done, you see...

Love doesn't disregard;
   it doesn't look away.
Love: isn't it something
   that is meant to last?
Love doesn't toss aside;
   it makes you want to stay.
But he's got to leave the
   disenchantment in the past.

Listen up, listen up...
When you truly love,
You don't pretend;
You don't ignore
Or condescend;
An open door
Receives that friend
Who wants to lend a hand.
Or don't you understand
That we are part of one another?... Yeah...

Love doesn't disregard;
   it doesn't look away.
Love: isn't it something
   that is meant to last?
Love doesn't toss aside;
   it makes you want to stay.
He has finally left the
   disenchantment in the past.

It's been a hard lesson, a painful one.
Nothing he can do now;
   what's done is done.
He's movin' on...

© 2020 David Acosta

Barnabus and Paul

How much to reveal...
How much to withhold...
Not sure what I feel
Out here in the cold.

In the dreadful unseen
There's a fine line between
"Maybe I ought to stay"
And "I'm going away."

And it's blurry sometimes;
And it breaks my heart, so I
Hide behind my rhymes.
But I know this is goodbye.

I wish I didn't have to say it,
But I've had enough of this silent wall.
I know this time I must convey it;
We're a modern-day Barnabus and Paul.

Standing in the rain,
Waiting for the sun.
No need to explain;
The end has begun.

There's no enmity here,
Just a parting of ways.
It is foggy, yet clear;
It's an unclouded haze.

And you know that it's true;
And it breaks my heart; still I
Know what I must do:
Yes, I'm sure this is goodbye.

I wish I didn't have to say it.
Can this be the end? The last curtain call?
Let it be; don't delay it.
We're a modern-day Barnabus and Paul.

I wish I didn't have to say it,
But I've had enough of this silent wall.
I know this time I must convey it;
It's our version of Barnabus and Paul.


© 2020 David Acosta

Your Ways

I wrote this sing-along song for worship. . .

Psalm 25:4-5, 10

Show me your ways, Oh Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me.

Show me your ways, Oh Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me.

For you are the God of my salvation.
For you I wait all the day long.


All the paths of the Lord
   are steadfast love and faithfulness.
All the paths of the Lord
   are steadfast love and faithfulness
   for those who keep
   his covenant and his testimonies.

[Repeat]


© 2020 David Acosta

A Reluctant Farewell

I'm somewhere between the table and the door,
Somewhere between "let's do this" and "what for?"
And it's not because I do not believe.
I'm an outsider now; I need to leave;
The sun waits for me beyond the gray.
The road calls; I must be on my way.

I'm somewhere between this window and the wind,
Somewhere between what ends and what begins.
I know I've tried; I've prayed; I've sung along.
But things just aren't the same; I don't belong
In this session of diminishment,
In this season of my discontent.

And I'm not seeking grandiosity;
You know that was never my intent.
But I must be where I am free to be
Someone I need not misrepresent.

I'm somewhere between a greeting and goodbye,
Somewhere between "no more" and "one more try."
But this time I've run out of humble pie,
And your loud silence has become a lie.
No explanation, nothing at all;
Cold detachment; a tall, silent wall.

So I'm somewhere between the table and the door,
Somewhere between "let's do this" and "what for?"

I could choose to acquiesce tacitly;
Cast my pearls before swine till I'm spent.
But I must be where I am free to be
Someone I need not misrepresent.

And I'm not seeking grandiosity;
You know that was never my intent.
But I must be where I am free to be
Someone I need not misrepresent.


© 2020 David Acosta

Kaleidoscopic Dream

It's time to leave your anxious thoughts behind.
A moonbeam beckons; step into delight.
Here comes a vision; let it make you blind.
You'll see that life is really out of sight.
You are a child discovering ice cream;
Reach for that cosmic, fun-filled popsicle!
Promenade into an edelweiss dream;
It's old; it's new; it's paradoxical.
Don't hold back; free your mind, now; let it soar.
You're floating on a cotton candy cloud.
Don't be afraid; what are you waiting for?
Dream like you used to dream; it's still allowed.
Leave behind that point of view myopic.
Dance into a dream kaleidoscopic!


© 2020 David Acosta

Mercy, Hope and Grace

Mercy has come like early morning dew.
Welcome her gladly; befriend her.
She's here to remove your blindness.
Speak your mind; you won't offend her.
Partake of her lovingkindness;
Imbibe her sweet laughter like wine.

Hope is here as well, and she beckons you;
She sees your soul's indecision.
You've nothing to fear; believe her.
Trust her instincts and her vision.
She'll fade now and then; don't leave her.
Your unraveled prayers she'll entwine.

Grace appears! She has joined the other two.
Their table is set; it's boundless.
Her free gift of love you'll treasure;
Your payment efforts are groundless.
Her merits you'll never measure.
She waits at the table; recline.


© 2020 David Acosta

Wistful Earth

Clouds do what clouds are inclined to do:
They effortlessly glide across the sky.
While I'm wondering why I'm feeling blue,
They navigate the restless wind on high.

Today the Earth is wistfully clad.
But clouds have a purpose, a mission to fulfill;
And they'll heed the call, good day or bad:
They sail on, though they're seemingly standing still.

Birds do what birds are designed to do:
They search the sky and sing their blissful songs.
Will I keep my earthbound point of view
Or let it soar on high where it belongs?

It's easy to give up and be sad.
But birds have a purpose, a mission to fulfill;
And they'll heed the call, good day or bad,
In the lowest valley and on the highest hill.

What about us? What have we been called to do
When troubled times cause fragile hearts to fail?
I won't yield to helplessness--will you?
Our hope-emboldened spirits must prevail.

Our restless planet yearns to be glad.
And we have a purpose, a mission to fulfill;
We must heed the call, good day or bad:
Choose to love, and pray, "Not my will..."
Choose to love, and pray. "Not my will, but your will."


© 2020 David Acosta

Say Yes to the Lord

A bit of reggae...

You've been waiting, been stalling;
You can't take another day.
He's been calling, been calling;
He's waiting; what will you say?

Say yes.
(Give him your heart now.)
Say yes.
(Right where you are now.)
Say yes to the Lord.
Say yes.
(You know he loves you.)
Say yes.
(Say, "Lord, I'll trust you.")
Say yes to the Lord.
Say yes to the Lord.

You've been running, been hiding
In the cold, dark, lonely night.
You've been struggling, been fighting;
When will you come to the light?

Say yes.
(Give him your heart now.)
Say yes.
(Right where you are now.)
Say yes to the Lord.
Say yes.
(You know he loves you.)
Say yes.
(Say, "Lord, I'll trust you.")
Say yes to the Lord.
Say yes to the Lord.

Child, there's nothing to fear here.
Come, it's safe and warm, and you'll find rest.
Love is what you will find here.
Stay; it's time to end your lonely quest.
Say yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

Say yes.
(Ooh...)
Say yes.
(Oh, yeah!)
Yes.
(Ooh...)
Yes.
(Do it, do it.)

Oh say yes.
(Give him your heart now.)
Say yes.
(Right where you are now.)
Say yes to the Lord.
Say yes.
(You know he loves you.)
Say yes.
(Say, "Lord, I'll trust you.")
Say yes to the Lord.
Say yes to the Lord...


© 2020 David Acosta

You Get to Be Real

I know a sanctuary
Like none you've ever known.
You would feel at home there,
Never be alone there.

Those burdens that you carry,
Feel free to let them go.
You can lay them down there;
Maybe you belong there.

You get to be real,
Even if your life is a mess.
You get to be real;
Ain't no "in" crowd there to impress.
You ain't got a thing to lose.
Love is the big reveal,
And you get to be real.

I know your heart is broken;
You're weary of the pain.
Oh, but there's a balm there,
A soul-healing balm there.

The door is always open;
You've everything to gain.
You can be yourself there;
Maybe you belong there.

You get to be real,
Even if your life is a mess.
You get to be real;
Ain't no "in" crowd there to impress.
You ain't got a thing to lose.
Love is the big reveal,
And you get to be real.

No mind trips,
No trite quips,
No "let's make a deal,"
No "spin the big wheel,"
No card tricks or loaded dice,
No superficial advice,
No cliques or VIPs,
No dangling-karat tease.

You get to be real,
Even if your life is a mess.
You get to be real;
Ain't no "in" crowd there to impress.
You ain't got a thing to lose.
Love is the big reveal,
And you get to be real.
Yeah, you get to be real.



© 2020 David Acosta

I Can Love

I can love you selflessly;
I can love you patiently.
I can be gentle;
I can be thoughtful;
I can be kind.

And if you've been feeling down,
Gonna try to steal your frown.
You can be yourself;
You can relax, now;
You can unwind.

Oh I know I'm far from perfect;
I'm no angel from above.
But if heaven's real I'm certain
I can love, I can love.
I can love, I can love.

When the sky outside is gray
And you just can't face the day,
I'll bring the sunshine;
I've got a box of
Rapturous rays.

You'll be smiling soon, I'm sure;
For the blues, love is the cure.
No need to fret now;
You're on your way to
Happier days.

Oh I know I'm far from perfect;
I'm no angel from above.
But if heaven's real I'm certain
I can love, I can love.
I can love, I can love.

Here's a winged thought that needs to be caught:
I'm a friend you can rely on.
This invisible happy cloak I've brought
Is a garment you need to try on.

Oh I know I'm far from perfect;
I'm no angel from above.
But if heaven's real I'm certain
I can love, I can love.
I can love, I can love.
I can love, I can love.


© 2020 David Acosta

¿Adónde?

Para mi inolvidable madre...

¿Adónde se ha ido tu sonrisa?
¿Y qué de tus ojos cariñosos,
Cielos leales sin fallar?
Te fuiste como una breve brisa,
Como un arroyo correntoso
Que necesita ver el mar.

¿Adónde se ha ido tu mirada
Que me abrazaba y me animaba,
Que transformaba el color
De mi alma triste y angustiada
Cuando muy debil se encontraba?
Tú te robabas mi dolor.

Pero habían cosas que yo no podía expresar.
Tú lo sabías, y por mi intercedías,
Mientras que yo me alejaba de ti.
Si me lo permitieran, si pudiera al pasado regresar,
Te pediría perdon, y sé que me asegurarías
Que estabas muy orgullosa de mí.

¿Adónde iré en mis oraciones?
Al cielo, por supuesto, llegaré.
¿Y qué haré al entrar allí?
Sin una lista de peticiones
Una solicitud entregaré:
Bésenla, cuídenla por mí.


© 2020 David Acosta

Something Spectacular

Lonely day, dreary day,
Cloudy and cold, stubbornly gray...
Childhood dreams say they'll stay;
But they change their minds and fly away.
Then it happens, and I can't believe my eyes!
It's familiar, but it's always a surprise.

Something wonderful
Floods my soul with a joy I can't explain.
Something marvelous
Overwhelms and overrides the mundane.
The world yields to a realm brand new.
I'm lifted by the very thought of you;
It's something spectacular.

Gusty wind won't explain
Why it unnerves my windowpane.
Bashful sun shines in vain;
It cannot compete with the hard rain.
Then I wake up, and I can't believe my eyes!
All is well, now; storms have yielded to blue skies.

Something wonderful
Floods my soul with a joy I can't explain.
Something marvelous
Overwhelms and overrides the mundane.
The world yields to a realm brand new.
I'm lifted by the very thought of you;
It's something spectacular.

[instrumental interlude]

Then it happens, and I can't believe my eyes!
It's familiar, but it's always a surprise.

The world yields to a realm brand new.
I'm lifted by the very thought of you;
It's something wonderful.
It's something marvelous.
It's something spectacular.


© 2019 David Acosta

Seaside Dreamer

I'm kicking off my sandals;
I'm casting off my shirt
And lounging between two carefree palm trees.
This hammock lulls and dandles;
It renders me inert
Till dreams descend and mingle with the breeze.

And I'm half-awake, or so it seems,
Drifting between my sweetest dreams
And this temporal, earthly existence.
And I soar until I'm far away.
I am there, and yet I'm here today,
Enthralled and awed by the dwindling distance.

I see a distant shoreline;
I see a crystal sea.
Suddenly a melody sails my way.
Angels glide in the sunshine,
Dancing elatedly,
Singing, beckoning me to fly away.

And I'm half-awake, or so it seems,
Drifting between my sweetest dreams
And this temporal, earthly existence.
And I soar until I'm far away.
I am there, and yet I'm here today,
Enthralled and awed by the dwindling distance.

From a luminous, ethereal plane
I see myself in my hammock, sleeping by the sea.
Heaven kisses the earth, and I can't contain
This boundless joy that has set my restless spirit free.

And I'm half-awake, or so it seems,
Drifting between my sweetest dreams
And this temporal, earthly existence.
And I soar until I'm far away.
I am there, and yet I'm here today,
Enthralled and awed by the dwindling distance.


© 2019 David Acosta

Farewells and New Beginnings

Lonely souls are arriving,
And lonely souls are leaving.
Some are barely surviving,
And some are quietly grieving.
What do you do with hopelessness
When it lingers at the dinner table?
What can you say to helplessness
When it whispers "you're no longer able"?

And you're caught between two options: go or stay.
You don't know, but you're pondering it all.
Perhaps a change is in order; perhaps today.
Whatever you do, you can't afford to stall.

When it seems your losses
Are outnumbering your winnings,
Hope patiently waits between
Farewells and new beginnings.

Doubts are swirling in your head,
And clouds have obscured the sun.
What you know remains unsaid,
But you can't undo what's been done.
Things just aren't the way they once were;
And you ask, "Who can I trust anyway?"
Will you walk away or return?
Will tomorrow be better than today?

And you're caught between two options: go or stay.
You don't know, but you're pondering it all.
Perhaps a change is in order; perhaps today.
Whatever you do, you can't afford to stall.

When it seems your losses
Are outnumbering your winnings,
Life patiently waits between
Farewells and new beginnings.

When it seems your losses
Are outnumbering your winnings,
Love patiently waits between
Farewells and new beginnings.


© 2019 David Acosta

Love Restored

Love is waxing cold here;
Love is growing old here.
Is it now something we are concealing?
We should be standing in life for healing;
But it's safer to hide,
And make believe we'll abide
In the shadow of a love we've denied.

Kindness, come and guide us;
Fill the void inside us.
When did home sweet home become a relic?
I remember warmth and strains angelic.
Is it all in the past?
Has love become an outcast?
Is it not true that the first will be last?

Peace is reaching for us
Like a whispered chorus,
Longing to be sung out loud again, friends.
Love awaits; a nail-scarred hand he extends.
Will you reach out today,
And walk the crimson pathway?
Choose to love! It's all I want to convey.


© 2019 David Acosta