A Life for a Life - R.M. Ullrich I am a prisoner of my own creation Trapped in a void between light and darkness Try as I might to find a viable solution I cannot escape the person I've become A life for a life - the promise made in haste Never knowing it would lay my soul to waste So I remain trapped between the light and the darkness Until the day Death comes to collect on my rashness

Restless soul,wrapped in white Ever such an elegant sight Spinning in the light The light of an endless night Long were the days Heavy the price paid Seeking perfection in every motion Strength drawn from my devotion Knowing the depths of my emotion Draining me Restraining me Capturing me Releasing me It is you my vision in white Devouring my love every night As you glide effortlessly into the light So others may feast on this beautiful sight

Memories Cool spring evenings with my grandfather A hard man of heart who would much rather Wrestle a load of lumber to the ground than make a melodic sound He had one weak-spot when it came down to it My Grandma Bonnie knew the key to elicit Melodic memories from deep in his past Years that had taken their toll far too fast The Great Depression he lived and overcame Bringing honor to his business and his name This was a man hardened by the earth Who rarely smiled or felt of mirth Bonnie knew the key to success When it was time to put Clem's soul at rest Always to my childhood eyes brought delight When that tough old German would open the case Amazing music would light up my face Tunes extracted from an old fashioned squeeze box Played on his knee with a wink and a smile For his darling Bonnie - the apple of his eye For my grandfather, Clemens Henry Ullrich - the hardest man I've ever known, with the greatest love I've ever seen. Robert Ullrich

Thank you....as was yours.

the eyes - gateway to the soul so it is written as the story is told I look into your eyes stripping away your disguise laying bare the fear inside you fight so hard to ever hide reaching out I draw you in showing you my soul within so that your fears might abate when you see the demon at my gate you have nothing to fear I have nothing to hide open your eyes to a new day knowing with my soul I did pay

Drifting through the darkness Over the mountains Through the valleys Searching Searching always Searching evermore Searching for light in the midst of the darkness Seeking salvation for a life squandered Finding hope in the darkest shadows The light of hope glimmering in the distance Calling me home Drawing me back to the beginning When the Creator spoke Light into the Darkness Lighting the way back to the place where I wandered from the path Back to begin the beginning

Rise above the moment soar among the clouds set your spirit free for this is the last day of forever

It's often used this "Slice of life" reference To a goldfish it is hardly a matter of reverence If it is truly life a life desired More than just a slice is required