douglas brent smith

Values evolve over time. If values are ever true, they refine without denying what once was. They grow. They distill. They find ways to self-generate the results they aspire to. Choose your path... Here are some values I've refined into calls to action. I don't just agree with them, I expect to do them. To show them. To act on them. Sometimes it goes well, and often I fall short. The journey is a long one, so keep going. Here are my current calls to action: Be your best Stay curious Turn toward all offers (bids) to start Challenge yourself Reach out with compassion Expand your possibilities Appreciate Play nice, work hard, stay smart Learn constantly What are your values? What are your calls to action? -- doug smith

(c) 2006, douglas brent smith from Creative Play, p.203,  Douglas Brent Smith, (c) 2006

When we walk away from the hard work of love we miss what it was all about. -- douglas brent smith

Cold Enough - photo by douglas brent smith

Just because I know something doesn't mean that it's true. Especially if I've known it a long time. -- Doug Smith

I don't need to understand love in order to love. And, believe me, I do not understand love. -- Douglas Brent Smith

i was blue before you got here -- i'll be down after you leave it's deeper than you understand, recognize or believe when you're sad you could be crying - when love is dying you've got to grieve and i was blue before you got here - and i'll be blue after you leave i was blue before you got here -- you didn't change a thing you had no lasting happiness available to bring there is no lovers' island no blissful wedding ring and i was blue before you got here -- you didn't change a thing you warned me that you didn't care but how could that be true? thru endless conversations i felt so close to you you told me "don't start dreaming nothing good could last" and when you got tired of me you put me in your past but i was blue before you got here, you didn't pull me down no matter how good it felt -- having you around it hurts more than it did before, when i thought that we'd be found but i was blue before y

it's a foolish wish to say may all your dreams come true                 what about the bridges disappearing in                  perspective?      what about the endless chases? the public nakedness? the lack of words? the demons hiding insecurities in playful sacks of sorrow? let me pick my dream to live that sweet happy ending dream of us together hand in hand and always smiling let me pick that time you looked at me from across the room with a knowing smile that spoke more love than you could say, or contain (or, sadly, sustain) but leave that part out (the sadness in your smile of unbeatable fate) and let me live that dream of                               you smiling                               at me and                               happy. (c) 2017 douglas brent smith

every sad song you might get the blues but you’ve still got to choose no one else can walk in your shoes your promises stood until they fell your life felt like heaven but who can tell? the worst thing’s the best thing that can’t stand its ground the way up’s the break ups the heart hits the ground every sad song sounds like something ending every sad song sounds like something bending too far so here we are, so here we are every sad song stuck in our hearts every sad song sounds like something ending every sad song sounds like something bending too far so here we are… (c) 2015 douglas brent smith from the album "etcetera" by douglas brent smith

i wonder about you wondering about me, how you might imagine this changed by a kiss or feel the pull of something more whole our gravity keeps crashing but that's no reason to cash it in i wonder about you all. the. time. (c) 2017 douglas brent smith

"Big Lips" by douglas brent smith, 26 July 1982 (c) 2017 douglas brent smith

she doesn't understand my depression               hell, i don't understand my               depression do you understand               my depression? does anyone understand any depression? you grip you hold you bear you               breathe and lurking with no trace of               humor ready to pull relentlessly yet teasingly provocative invitingly suspenseful (oh my what is  this about maybe just LOOK at it a little bit)               a little is too much to digest at once at all i don't understand why she doesn't understand isn't this her kiss? ---------------------------------------- (c) douglas brent smith

there is an island for you more than any dream toes in the clean warm white sand turquoise water rushing in gently singing softly your name there is an island for you satisfying and free cabana boy bringing drinks olga massaging your neck whenever you call there is an island for you apart and above the fray of everyday laughter touching souls hearts sparking love with every moment accepting, friendly, relaxed let me be your island your terms your time your touch and i will hold your hand watch the waves, and smile right there beside you sharing our very best adventures ever. -- douglas brent smith

Photograph: douglas brent smith (c) 2016 You may use this photo to your hearts delight.

it was everything i had inside me given to you a gift you refused, to scare me to scar me to drop me over that cliff, that curb wanting to touch you to kiss you to giggle in the sand but you let go of my hand and oh oh oh you had warned me the storm would be rough and wow did you signal it would not be enough and crap did it happen i chased without fear but ghostlike in vapor desire disappeared and so like a dark fog neglected to stand you held and then fell and let go of my hand (c) 2016 douglas brent smith

Random still life and current mood. photo by douglas brent smith Ok to use this photo. Please notate it: photo by douglas brent smith, 2016. 

My most recent album, etcetera, is now available on Noisetrade. You could listen. You could even download for free. And if you like, you can leave a tip.  This is the "final" version of the album -- I'd previewed parts of it before.  Hope you like it! Find etcetera here

mp3 file: Way Past Getting Old