grew up in the Bronx, and i've spent a total of about 3 years living in a tent, in good weather, while at Harbin Hot Springs, a clothing optional spa (yes, we were NAKED), and in campgrounds in Big Sur and Mt. Shasta.  I had full access to amenities like showers and kitchen, so not exactly the backwoods, but after living 10 feet from a beautiful creek, with my commute to work ten minutes down a forest path, i know that the most alive i have ever felt was waking up in the morning with the morning air, spending hours each day in water, doing yoga on a mat in the sun with the air on my skin. My definition of poverty is lIving indoors in good weather. i was in the tent during some storms, warm and cozy, while the rain pelted down and the air had so much chi, it wakes me up just to breathe the memory.

That phase of my life is over, for now, and i'm on to trying to realize my dream of a rock and roll band. That was not going to happen in the tent, and to grow spiritually i needed to go back into “mainstream” society. I don't try to write songs with a message, but sometimes they write themselves, so i can wish for my music to somehow pass on the feeling of waking up in the tent in the morning, and people will value nature.

ONE GOOD BULLDOZER

One good bulldozer, is all it would take, to make all the shopping malls all go away

rip up the parking lots plant them with trees

make flower pots out of SUVs

one good bulldozer, one change of heart

would bring us together, come on let's start

when people pay attention to the things that matter

all of these problems they'll all scatter

lying in the sun feeling at one

with the one the one and every one

ch

all the distractions and all of the games

can't hide the fact that inside we're the same

embodiments of the living truth

you and me, me and you

ch

copyright 2008 jaydancingbear

YES

well there's plenty of people saying we should despair

look all around us problems everywhere

problems in the country problems in the town

problems in the oceans problems in the ground

they say no, they say no, they say no, but i say yes

well, yes, there's problems, that's abundantly clear

and for every problem, a solution already here (just ask the Bioneers

and there's millions of people giving heart and soul

to help the world to help us all

they say yes, they say yes, they say yes, why don't you say yes

well maybe i'm simple, maybe i'm a fool

because i believe that ultimately love will rule

i believe the hearts will open i believe the minds will clear

i beleve that we'll all feel the presence of spirit here

yes yes yes, yes yes yes, yes yes yes, why don't you say yes

copyright 2008 jay dancing bear

NAKED PAGAN

A naked pagan dancing with the sky

I am alien in your world

Your houses, factories, TV sets

It is difficult for me to understand

how can you live this way?

but you do

I need trees, grass, sky

Rushing rivers and willing consorts

fresh strawberries picked from the ground

You tell me of vaccines, hospitals,

guaranteed food supply

heat in the winter

Yes, these are good things when enjoyed properly

but why give up

the joy of feeling

the sun on your heart

the waves on your flesh

trances

the companionship of spirit

Why do you seem to lack

joy, contentment, fulfillment

serenity

integrity

You sell yourself to the highest bidder and

live in fear of not selling yourself

Why can you not find a way to have it all

If this technology is so wonderful

why are so many unhappy

sick at heart

filled with all manner of diseased emotions

and homeless in the streets

I don’t understand

The gifts I offer

you think worthless

I offer the sand, the sea

the earth, the sky

compassion

and deep feelings

What you want from me is to be a robot

For that I may earn enough to buy food and pay rent

since you have set a price on every inch of the earth

by what right do you control this land

I don’t understand

but, after all

I am only

A naked pagan

copyright 2008 jaydancingbear