The Way of Memories

This was the hardest song for me to write 'cause
When I try to respond to You-man
I'd rather just sit, stay quiet
I don't really know what to say
Something simple perhaps, like
"I love you"
But I know in actuality
So much time wasted running from you
Blind to the after, it really does matter
'Cause I keep disobeying you, man, I'm hatin' you
Been trapped in this darkness a tad long
Dang, this is not meant to be another sad song
'Cause honestly I'm tired of that - my whole life
Been wrapped around where the violence at, man where the silence at?
Point is you still loved me when it was never clear
That You were there, and I ain't have the will to shed a tear

'Cause my pain was too deep
For me to keep on living
Without purpose, there's more to this
It's not just aimless drudgery
So often, I just wanna end it all
I don't remember true peace
Your truth about life and death
My God, it's what's saving me

I'm walking up to the Atlantic
Sand sandwich
Between my toes standing
At the end of an ocean vantage point
Perspective granted, reprimanded
As I open up a 16 oz bottle
And try to get the contents
Of the entire ocean swallowed
Inside these 16 ounces
That's a picture of obsolete thousands
Songs and responses
That try to conquer the knowledge
Of God who adopts us
I can't fit a tenth of a percent
Of the depth in redemptive gifts you give
So generous we live
'Cause you love
And regenerate us with
What you've done
Your Spirit poured out like sweet perfume
On heathen lewd
People you free to use
My God

Every human act of love
Is a dim reflection of the Master's love
I can't get passed the flood
Of your faithfulness that capsules us
I'm separated from creation
Embraced by the creator, amen
Never jaded by the hatred
Love-laced, my mistakes-savior

The light, the dark - my apathy
I'm so glad there's more to me
Than just a lifeless ragdoll, enslaved in destiny
'Cause you become what you believe
This is what you've taught me, that you love me
That theology deems my mentality
And there's a second half to the story
How amazing, I'm becoming best friends with Beauty
I can't wait to rule with you
To chill with you
To lean my weary head against you
To embrace you
To talk to you, face to face
Streets of gold as I walk with you
Ya kissin' my forehead; I belong to you
Crying the tears of relief and gratitude
Until that time, I fight for you
I need to remember to
Escape the memories and bear substitute
I want to love you
I choose to love you

Folly is our second umbilical cord
Our first breath out of the womb
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
Ashamed, we deny
Reality is a lie
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
The universe reacts
To rebellion, it incurs pain
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
And our reply is animosity and loathing
Hatred for our condition, our brothers, ourselves
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
The hatred of existence hardens into banality
Menial drudgery - desolation consumes us
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
In the snares of staleness, we crave rapture
And we submit to addiction
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
A gateway drug to a more potent affliction
Depression
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
Beauty's retaliation to our depravity is to reveal a glimpse of Himself
A second time
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
I hope desire ensues
That you're overcome with longing for true beauty
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
Simple yearning won't satisfy; so our correct response should be
To commune with Beauty: with both it and those it occupies
Yet you can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
Beauty, Gratitude's what I have for you
Yet I can escape at any time, there's one death and one life
And the journey of Love is the second half of the story

Rain has fallen all the day
O come among the laden trees
The leaves lie thick upon the way
Of memories
Staying a little by the way
Of memories shall we depart
Come, my beloved, where I may
Speak to-speak to your heart