Bustin' Out

I didn’t know all the prisoners were being held captive in my heart
 but John Prine came by singin’ “Hello in there”
And the feelings inside rioted
deciding it was time to bust out

Loss was first with it’s entourage
of Regret and Hope
pulling a rope ‘round a bag full of faces
some smiling, some crying
as if they had never left

Joy jumped out, as my daughters’ once did
bouncing and bounding
happy to be free
With it’s constant companion Wonder
Amazed at the newness of life

Anger and Rage came onto the stage
Ranting about injustice
Incensed they’d been so restrained
And shouted to their siblings
The time for action is now

Love floated over and surrounded them all
Consoling Loss and Regret with Hope
Celebrating with Joy and Wonder
And tempering Anger and Rage with the help of
Understanding

They all settled down, exhausted from their exertion
 and retired back to their cells
Waiting until once again roused
Uh oh, here comes Joni Mitchell