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Petting Zoo

by Michael Karns

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1.
I’ve got antifreeze in my blood They say it’s poisonous that might be true But my engine is always warm for you My blue flame girl I know that journey may be hazardous Hail storms dangerous ice daggers and blizzards On a bed of snow under Winter’s pine, My blue flame girl Chorus: Blue flame girl With steel grey eyes Blue flame girl Meet me, where frost and thaw collide Bear witness blue flame girl This is risky business, we may be frozen in time Artifacts of an ancient love Taken to the nines And though the history will record us as fools A pair of loons when lovers walk this ancient path they’ll be warmed by the blue flame on Winter’s moon.
2.
Petting Zoo 03:31
six years old I remember the petting zoo for once I could do what I wanted to I could get as close as to touch I fell in love with the ewe we had a oneness, a level easily reached there were no promises to breach just a hand and a waiting chin a lesson my elders couldn't teach I never wanted to leave, the petting zoo and in some ways I never did I never wanted to leave the petting zoo in some ways, I remained a kid one moment in time a lasting tickle all the words rhymed no lead nickels I smiled a cry all the way home the best tears and laughter, I had known I never wanted to leave, the petting zoo and in some ways I never did I never wanted to leave the petting zoo in some ways, I remained a kid rittmo'
3.
Only two years maybe three that I have ridden in your taxi the one that cruised softly over the wireless waves and once I had to ask you my friend how you captured that life on the tip of a ball point pen I never know I heard you say where my pen will take me today Chorus: Out there on your shift with a full tank of gas always enriching the now with your presence boldly pointing the way to a better day with written pages of your love Whether living in the big city shadows or as God's child deep in the hallows you helped us to understand that life is a very large gift even though it doesn't always have a bow you know as well as I that things can change early if only in a NY afternoon whether lying in my bed or standing under the stars Chorus
4.
Near Misses 03:19
wires twisted numbers unlisted business witnessed almost kisses lottery wishes job unfinished lights diminished heads up look out below banana peels butter cups busting out in stitches robot reminiscence life is a series of near misses life and death in a single breath fire extinquishes pot of gold untold riches six foot ditches no more sales pitches near misses, near misses I am that I am I was that I was fatal submissive future initiatives life is a series of near misses Chorus: but not when it came to love but not when it came to love and not to create separation but the kind of love that depends on dual desperation...
5.
Bubble Wrap 03:18
let's take some bubble wrap and line the walls and halls unlevel the floor, tap dance romance falling to chance every step, every lean, a pop an addiction without a cure we'll never want to stop giggling, crying out for more did you think that you could create such a simple twist of fate turn the mundane, into excitement living on the edge of enticement in the backyard a trampoline a flip and a flop, to top off the day along the horizon, a tangerine skyline in the distance a hummingbird, flutters away on the breeze of it's wings a rising moon a nightengale sweetly croons about human beings, their bubble wrap and trampolines ritt'
6.
7.
John was in the musket wars and saw a lot of fight, came home with a souvenir rolling round inside his head. He said he just wanted a place to rest, leaving joy in other’s hearts. That’s when an old gal gave to him his wish and then he did depart. Chorus: Let’s go down to the pumpkin patch Where they found old Uncle John The hip flask and the overalls Still laying out there Let’s go down to the pumpkin patch Haven’t been there in a year Corn stalks and frigid air, and ghosts whisperin in my ear. I was out on the porch last night thinking about when he was here straw hair and a corn cob pipe filling out that easy chair Suddenly the moon was up and out here over the fields I saw old Mr. Will O’ Wisp searching for his long lost bud The musket ball and empty skull were long ago transformed And now each Fall a yellow flower brings forth a healthy gourd.
8.
did you say you were coming over and I'm thinking, should I run for cover but hey maybe if we take off the high brow we can have a little peace, have it now stop being so nit picky live and let live pinched nerves are so sticky live and let live if you forget to wipe your feet I'll just happily mop can you imagine us so sweet no no no, stop stop stop it's fine to speak your mind just gotta let it roll off your back everybody's doing some kind of time and they deserve a little slack ambiquity makes us who we are even the shiniest stars have scars stop being so nit picky live and let live pinched nerves are so sticky live and let live rittmo'
9.
just because my hands are far apart doesn't mean I'm not walking hand in hand with Jesus we could be out on a stroll, eating Reeses pieces or peanut butter cups, there's a whole lotta love in the sweet stuff Chorus: picking cherries from the vine, preserving peaches for some fine wine just walking and talking, with Jesus, saving the world one plum at a time are you listening, have I got your attention are we having a good session conversing with Jesus, is what we do all day you don't have to put your hands together to pray c'mom Jesus, let's take a ride to the country take in some green, I'll pack some sandwiches and drinks and you'll be sure to bless someone when they sneeze a sense of humor is the best medicine, dontcha think Chorus: picking cherries from the vine, preserving peaches for some fine wine just walking and talking, with Jesus, saving the world one plum at a time put some fresh corn on the grill ahh the aroma of time standing still set a plate for Jesus, and atone the Lord can't live on Reeses alone when day fades into night, before the last of the light thank Jesus for your lucky stars and when the man in the moon begins to rise thank Jesus for the smile in your heart Chorus: picking cherries from the vine, preserving peaches for some fine wine just walking and talking, with Jesus, saving the world one plum at a time
10.
11.
my pink slip didn't have an address other than no re-entry allowed once a one now I am a crowd the ground is hard and cold if I could strap hang on a train palms open, please, I need to take hold somewhere along the line I lost my zip code andI I can't find my way home there's a sense of freedom if I don't freeze to death but freedom has many depths I could recite poetry TS Elliot, Woody Guthrie and are no taxes really liberty somewhere along the line I lost my zip code andI I can't find my way home the shelter is as warm as a clogged sewer pipe somewhere along the line...
12.
stars exploding light years away made us what we are today pixels, mere grains of sand a design in hand, a master plan earthquakes crash upon the world tornados swirl, volcanos erupt, fires rage between boy and girl we spin, we rotate, we fall in love it's a spiritual floating in time some call it a valentine we dance we sing, we celebrate we end all debate love is why we're here to cherish with heart warming care love is why we're here to relieve all the burdens we bear love is why we're here a universe in turmoil a world in grave despair love is why we're here to cherish with heart warming care love is why we're here to relieve all the burdens we bear love is why we're here rittmo'

about

This album is a tribute to my friend and collaborator Richard rittmo Blum.
Most of these songs bear his lyrics, and a few feature him reciting them to my musical backing. What a blessing it was to know this unique individual, if only briefly, and online.
Any payments received from this album will be forwarded to his wife Joyce.

credits

released May 3, 2013

Lyrics to all songs were written by Rittmo with the exception of 'Let's Go Down to the Pumpkin Patch', (he performs vocals) and 'Rittmos' Cruise' both of which were written by Michael Karns.
Rittmo is on facebook at; www.facebook.com/rittmo.blum?fref=ts
Note also that there will be a larger compilation of tributes on July 21st of Rittmo remembrances and music. That will be here; rittmo-rip.bandcamp.com

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Michael Karns

is a songwriter, poet, and full-time musician living in North Texas.

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