When Janis wails that note in Ball and Chain,
then stomps her foot and wails it once again,
When B.B. King caresses Lucille's strings
and tells about the blues love's loss can bring,
When Phil Ochs looks upon a distant war
and cries out "I ain't Marchin' any More,"
I thank the God who gave them voice to sing,
the God whose blessings give me everything.

When Shakespeare in his sonnet speaks of grief
and how in friendship's grasp he finds relief,
When Emily has fog fall prey to sun
and, doing that, makes darkest day undone,
When cummings tells his sweet you are my fate,
your heart I carry, love will not abate,
I thank the God who gave them words to speak,
Whose blessings are forever mine to keep.

When Van Gogh's golden stars swirl through the night,
and bring the world this flash of fiery light,
When Pablo's old guitarist bows in pain,
while bathed in blue and playing one last strain,
When Edward Hicks shows wolf beside lamb lie
in restful pose that whispers peace is nigh,
I thank the God who gave them eyes to see,
the God whose eyes are always watching me.

All music, poetry and art are mine
because their inspiration has been Thine.