Danger stood on the balcony with a thin cigarette between his lips. One spark, two sparks, three sparks and it was lit , casting a dancing glow on two glacial eyes. A wildness burned within them; everything logical told me to run, but my feet were firmly planted. I don't think there has ever been a pair of eyes I couldn't read, but here I had met my match. They glanced at me for a moment, and darted away, then gazed through the glowing factories south of town; humming the electric song he'd just played on the stereo. At that moment I envied the cigarette that got to rest at the end of his closed lips, and wanted ,more than anything, to press mine against his.

There danger stood, but for once I felt dangerous; the glacial eyes rolled back over to my confused face. He broke into a slight smile, and went inside taking with him the tension that I had built around myself. I followed him and he walked me to the front door; Our faces so close that my eyes left their focus. He uttered a nonchalant goodnight as I opened the door; feeling brave I finally asked, " are you going to kiss me?". He leaned in close and whispered "not until you take me on a proper date". I left that night not knowing what to feel. I was intrigued by his mannerisms, pinning my arms behind my head and staring into me, that he possessed; half demon, half angel? With eyes unreadable and not much to say. All I know is I've had a taste of danger, and it left me aching for more

There she stood; rather sat , in the grass at the base of the Mountain. Still straddling the old iron rails that held for so long, years since operation are obvious, and broad stripes of rust traverse her round-black face. Something tugs, and something pulls; a longing to move, a longing to breathe again. A deep seeded need to feel the fire burning, get the gears grinding and the wheels turning. Oh she waits too long, still expecting the fireman to bring the coal; she stays her post waiting for the next day of work that will never come. She's waiting for that honeydew morning , when she once again can roar through the hills. The lion of the mountain silenced into an aging lamb, for time is unforgiving. I sense a déjà vu, like I've been here before. Longing to move, longing to scream, hiss, whistle, buckle, crank, and turn. All I can do is stare , until the sun sets and it is time to go. As I enter my car to drive back to the city, I look back at my new friend. Now standing tall, a proud monument of times long past. The days come and go, the cars along the road come and go, the visitors to the railroad come and go, but here she stays, the permanent resident.

A cold wind from the north whisks the grey away

For the first time, it what feels like forever

Maybe this time, he's here to stay

But the sun is very clever

Tomorrow he'll find a new hiding place

Amidst the blanket of fog

And chuckle as the rain patters on my face

And stay hidden, the entire winter long

It's something almost indescribable;

What's amazing is how the ocean is so powerful, but calms every part of your being. The turquoise and jade water slams into rocks that surround the beach, and sprays white foam onto the shore. So violent and chaotic, but yet so peaceful. The salt air raises bumps on your arms; the sun warmth breeze brushes the sand out of your hair. Your skin tightens under the glowing sun, and no matter there you're from, the sea will suddenly feel like home, like a wild/animal passion draws you closer to it. If you get the chance, you must go

Everybody runs

Out of the rain

Out of the rain they must go

But some few-certain people run

Into the rain

Into the rain because they know

They've seen the world

That you don't see

Under the rain

Under the rain they've felt fall. The ones who've spent

Time down in the mud

Over the rain

Over the rain they stand tall.

So those few-certain people run

Into the rain

Into the rain because they know

Without the rain

without the rain

Nothing will ever grow.