A Better Man

you can make a lot of things with your hands
and with the help of a sewing machine
you can do more than most women can
while working so damn patiently
stay calm, carry on, hands as steady as can be
with the same mind, in kind, you've made a better man of me

there are stones that carve out a path
through a garden you've stripped of its weeds
it's the home of a hummingbird's nest
and of soil covered by promising seeds
you've made, a way, to let all these wild things grow free
just as, you have, always made a better man of me

I was a lost and restless boy, distracted by all of the static and noise
who thought he'd be better on his own
you gave me a center that I could hold to, after all of the things I'd been through
and taught me love means not being alone

out of all of the things that you've made
that fill up this home with your grace
there are two I'm most thankful you gave
who share your heart and your face
in my time, I'll try, to give back what I have received
to make sure, our boys, grow up to be much better men than me

originally released as a single December 25, 2023

Listen to a better man

One Wave

you can't lie
but i wish you had
no going back
once you raise the dead

no film songs
too much red wine
no hello
no goodbye

one wave
is all it takes to get washed away

originally released on the In Hindsight EP (2023)

Gasoline

she had just fifteen more miles to go
of a two thousand mile ride
when she saw her tank was running low
and she pulled off to the side

she had a moment that no one can plan
that froze her foot down to the floor
a blonde haired doll held in much smaller hands
in a gas stop convenience store

all she needs to blow this scene is gasoline
she won't be seen after gasoline

some things get so broke that no glue can keep
the cracks from leaking at the seams
she's bathed in every ocean she can name
but will never feel clean

all she needs to stop these screams is gasoline
she won't be seen after gasoline

there is no doubt in her mind that these ghosts
will find her anywhere
but this match will make sure that at least he won't
so long as he's passed out in there

all she needs to take the air he breaths is gasoline
she won't be seen after gasoline

originally released on the In Hindsight EP (2023)

 

Forget My Name

in the dark I squint and blink
picturing you tracing this heart of ink
you're the thought I can't help but think
my chest beats out a rhythm to its brink
so I slump downstairs for one more drink
so I can't think

you asked if I wanted to play a game
struck the match and burst me into flame
and I don't know who's more to blame
alls I'll ever know is I'll never be the same
so forget this voice and my name
forget my name
forget my name

tear my muscle from my bone
grind this broken heart between two stones
make the familiar the unknown
and stay, stay, stay gone

I think I know who's more to blame
but it don't really matter now, it's all the same
so forget this song and my name
forget my name
forget my name

originally released on the In Hindsight EP (2023)