Tom's story: 2007
69 pieces on this page. Click a picture or "See the whole card" to open the card.
2007 — Tom was 28 and 29
69 pieces on this year: 2 dated to this year · 13 from a range of years, shown here in the middle · 4 made this year or later · 50 written by this year at the latest.
DATED TO 2007
1784100 POEMS FOR BOOK NOV 15 07 GOLD CDR
2007 (age 28 or 29) PROVED
CDS, CD-RS AND CASSETTES
A gold recordable CD in its case, labelled in Tom's handwriting 100 poems for book, Nov. 15th '07, done w/ comm. - his working disc of the poems gathered for a book.
See the whole card → 2 pictures
1575POEMS BY TOM - 2nd best copy
2007 (age 28 or 29) BEST GUESS
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's printed book POEMS BY TOM by Tom Jensen, with hardly any writing in it, kept with two Memorex CD-Rs of his first Songs for a Lady demo, labeled 7th copy and 8th copy in sharpie.
See the whole card → 7 pictures
ABOUT 2007: FROM A RANGE OF YEARS, SHOWN HERE IN THE MIDDLE
9The mounting problems of the world
about 2005-2009 (age 26 to 31) BEST GUESS
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten poem that opens "The mounting problems of the world," a look at people who stop and stare instead of helping, written across three worn sheets of lined notebook paper. Its words are in none of Tom's typed books.
See the whole card → 4 pictures
1892My book of songs and poetry weights exactly thirteen pounds.
about 2006-2008 (age 27 to 30) BEST GUESS
ESSAYS AND OTHER WRITINGS (NOT LYRICS)
Tom's typed piece that begins My book of songs and poetry weighs exactly thirteen pounds and turns into a tribute to his cat of seventeen years, three pages.
See the whole card → 3 pictures
1956ChallengingMedia
about 2005-2009 (age 26 to 31) NOT SURE
SET LISTS, SONG LISTS, TITLE LISTS AND INDEXES
Four sheets from Tom's working files - a handwritten list of independent news and media sources he followed, circled in red, and three printed lists of the lettered category codes he used to sort his poems, from LOVE and MOTIVATE through GOD, WAR and INJUSTICE to HUMOR and VIOLENCE.
Dated from this piece's own words, the dated books and the pieces around it; this date is not sure.
See the whole card → 4 pictures
A WIDE GUESS: MORE THAN 10 YEARS, SHOWN HERE IN THE MIDDLE
631You can't believe a picture
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's previously unpublished handwritten short lyric YOU CAN'T BELIEVE A PICTURE, eight lines in black ink on lined notebook paper, about not trusting videos or politicians and headlines that read like gravestones.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 1 picture
693On the cusp of greatness
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's previously unpublished handwritten short lyric ON THE CUSP OF GREATNESS, in blue ink on a torn-off sheet of lined notebook paper, a love lyric about the grace in her face and her devilish grin.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 2 pictures
898Well you know I'm gonna be a rock star
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten short poem "Well you know I'm gonna be a rock star / I'm gonna need a leader for my fan club," on a single sheet of lined notebook paper; previously unpublished.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 2 pictures
899There is no laughing allowed
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten two-line poem "There is no laughing allowed / Until you go to disney land," on a torn-edged sheet of lined notebook paper; previously unpublished.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 2 pictures
900What do you do when you're tired of waiting by
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten short poem "What do you do when you're tired of waiting by your window?" a dark joke about jumping out, on a sheet of lined notebook paper; previously unpublished.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 1 picture
907I wandered into the bar following a sign that said Beer
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten short poem "I wandered into the bar following a sign that said Beer / Funny that four little letters can send a message loud and clear," in blue ink on a torn sheet of lined notebook paper; previously unpublished.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 2 pictures
908Only in Kansas would you find the world's largest
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten short poem "Only in Kansas would you find the world's largest ball of twine... this broken heart of mine," on a three-hole-punched sheet of lined paper; previously unpublished.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 2 pictures
909Where did all of my friends go
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten poem "Where did all of my friends go / When I was seven or eight?" looking back on a simple childhood, in cursive ink on a three-hole-punched sheet of lined loose-leaf; previously unpublished.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 1 picture
910A MASTER TO MANY
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten motto "A MASTER TO MANY / A SLAVE TO NONE," in block capitals on a torn plain white sheet with folded corners; previously unpublished.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 2 pictures
994I got.. That feeling again
about 1996-2018 (age 18 to 39) - an estimate - a wide guess NOT PROVED
POEMS NOT YET RELEASED
Tom's handwritten two-line poem I GOT.. THAT FEELING AGAIN on a sheet of three-hole lined notebook paper, with a note written sideways in the margin; never before published.
the card says: written at about age 18 to 39 - an estimate
See the whole card → 1 picture
MADE IN 2007 OR LATER
These carry a first possible date (a print date, a date on the paper). They may be later.
1128POEMS BY TOM (COPY 1 OF 2)
December 2007 or later (age 29 or older) PROVED
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
A white perfect-bound paperback, POEMS BY TOM by Tom Jensen, 130 poems to be read in order like a novel, famous-names cover, December 2007 or later (age 29 or older).
the card says: made at age 29 or later
See the whole card → 3 pictures
1129POEMS BY TOM (COPY 2 OF 2)
December 2007 or later (age 29 or older) PROVED
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
A white perfect-bound paperback, POEMS BY TOM by Tom Jensen, 130 poems to be read in order like a novel, famous-names cover, December 2007 or later (age 29 or older).
the card says: made at age 29 or later
See the whole card → 4 pictures
1574Poems By Tom (2007) Book With Songs For A Lady First Demo CD-R
December 2007 or later (age 29 or older) PROVED
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's printed 2007 book POEMS BY TOM, with very little writing in it and a Mark Twain quote by the dedication, kept with a Memorex CD-R of his first Songs for a Lady demo labeled in sharpie.
the card says: made at age 29 or later
See the whole card → 6 pictures
1813POEMS BY TOM JENSEN
December 2007 or later (age 29 or older) PROVED
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
A 2007 paperback of Tom's POEMS BY TOM, its cover built from the names of famous artists, thinkers and athletes, kept with Tom's torn lined-paper note calling it in excellent condition at 19 years old.
the card says: made at age 29 or later
See the whole card → 3 pictures
WRITTEN BY 2007 AT THE LATEST
A book dated 2007 holds these words, so they were written by then. They may be much older.
11Where is Noah when you need him?
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten poem "Where is Noah when you need him?" - a flood story told from God's side - on a loose-leaf sheet torn from a binder, part of the song SUNDAY MORNING SEX (set list 17, track 8) and published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
45My presence is important
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten poem "My presence is important," about being the one who lifts the curtain, on a hole-punched loose-leaf sheet - the words of the song QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY (set list 7, track 7).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
81I'm a white boy with no rhythm
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten eight-line poem "I'm a white boy with no rhythm / And even less soul," a self-mocking piece, on an aged, torn loose-leaf sheet.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
90MIDAS TOUCH
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten ten-line poem MIDAS TOUCH ("Your Midas touch turned me to gold"), on a single loose-leaf sheet, published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
343Foot Prints Being Washed Away by the Sea
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten eight-line lyric Foot prints being washed away by the sea (what we once had now will never be), with struck-out word choices on a lined sheet, published in Poems By Tom (2007) and the 34 albums.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
353TRAIN
written by age 29 at the latest PROVED
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten six-verse poem TRAIN (while hurrying to catch the train I left my heart behind), under a block-letter title on a lined sheet with a spiral binding and other drawings sketched along the edges, published in Poems By Tom.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
361HATE
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
SONGS - WORDS THAT BECAME SONGS (IN THE SONG LISTS)
Tom's handwritten two-line lyric HATE (sweet words of love have been changed to curses), on a loose-leaf sheet, which became the song SANDCASTLES (song list 2, track 11).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
385Let me
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten pencil lyric Let me / Bend you... / Shape you, with circled rhyme letters in the margin, published in Poems By Tom (2007) and the 34 albums.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
392I don't have a drinking problem
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's clean handwritten blue-ink poem I don't have a drinking problem / I've got a drinking solution, on a loose-leaf sheet with a torn bottom edge, published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
412There's No Greater Pain
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
SONGS - WORDS THAT BECAME SONGS (IN THE SONG LISTS)
Tom's handwritten black-ink lyric There's no greater pain (than letting what you want slip right through your fingers), on a torn spiral notebook sheet, which went into the song UNITY (song list 7, track 3).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
450I just picked up my pen
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten poem I just picked up my pen (it's been god knows when), about coming back to writing, on a torn spiral-pad sheet, published in Poems By Tom.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
557A cheer full of beer
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten poem A CHEER FULL OF BEER, in blue ink on a sheet of lined loose-leaf, a reflection on brotherhood, family by choice and whether to go it alone, published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
575When will this clouded curtain lift?
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten poem WHEN WILL THIS CLOUDED CURTAIN LIFT?, in dark ink on a frayed spiral-notebook sheet with a note block in the right margin, about searching for a reason to live, published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
1067Turn the page
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older PROVED
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten five-line poem TURN THE PAGE on a sheet of lined notebook paper with a torn edge and a folded corner - write another chapter if you can't capture what you're after; published in the Tom Jensen Poem Anthology (2013).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
41PERHAPS
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten pencil poem PERHAPS ("Oh, someone free me from this misery"), about people gazing up at the steeple for answers, on a hole-punched loose-leaf sheet - the words of the song UNDEFEATED (set list 20, track 1).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
44I AM WORSE THAN JUDAS
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten block-capital poem I AM WORSE THAN JUDAS, a defiant piece about being seen as a blasphemer, on a torn loose-leaf sheet with crossouts.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
68This Slice of Heaven
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
LOOSE LYRICS, ONE-LINERS AND RHYME WORD BANKS
Tom's handwritten working sheets for THIS SLICE OF HEAVEN - a lyric with a decorated title plus drafts and word lists of small everyday joys like strangers helping strangers - on several sheets of paper, tied to the song WHAT WE SHARE (song list 5, track 11).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 3 pictures
118Something's Gonna Have To Be Sacrificed
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten untitled poem "Something's gonna have to be sacrificed / To keep on playing this game," about the weight of the world, ten lines on a loose-leaf sheet - the words of the song PEN AND PAPER (set list 1, track 4).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
130you'll be wise to take my advice
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten drafts of "You'd be wise to take my advice / Before you fall in love with a fool's paradise," on three spiral-torn sheets including a list running from cigarettes to booze - the words of the song CLIMBING THE LADDER (set list 1, track 6) - photographed with the cut strips of his poem UNITED WE STAND (pictures 3 to 6).
the card says: written at age 18 to 23 for the UNITED WE STAND strips; written by age 29 at the latest for the CLIMBING THE LADDER drafts
See the whole card → 7 pictures
158I come here to collect my thoughts
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten lyric beginning 'I come here to collect my thoughts', on a single lined loose-leaf sheet with a bent, stained corner, published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
181I used to be really rockin'
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
SONGS - WORDS THAT BECAME SONGS (IN THE SONG LISTS)
Tom's handwritten lyric for the song USED TO BE (song list 7, track 10 of the 34 albums), beginning 'I used to be really rockin'', in blue ink on a spiral notebook page that also carries a hand-drawn box with two stick figures and a list of ideas in the corner.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
225FIELDS OF TIME
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten lyric for the song FIELDS OF TIME (set list 20, track 3 of the 34 albums), beginning 'All the seeds I've sewn', in pencil on a spiral notebook sheet under a bubble-letter title.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
226I have finally found a reason for waking up
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten lyric for the song QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY (set list 7, track 7 of the 34 albums), beginning 'I have finally found a reason for waking up', in blue ink on a torn spiral notebook sheet.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
269AUDIENCE OF FATE
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten short lyric AUDIENCE OF FATE, eight lines beginning 'I write for men like me who roar like lions', on a lined sheet, published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
284Not everyone's presence is a gift
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten pencil poem Not everyone's presence is a gift, published in Poems By Tom, on a loose-leaf sheet with arrows drawn in the margin to reorder the sections and a margin note.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
351One Woman's Pleasure
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten pencil lyric One woman's pleasure is another woman's pain, followed by a prose block about corporations owning countries, on a torn loose-leaf sheet, which went into the song MICKEY D'S (set list 13, track 6).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
424The Time Has Come
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten three-line poem The time has come, which went into the song QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY (set list 7, track 7), in blue ink on a loose-leaf sheet, published in Poems By Tom.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
426Look Out the Man's Got the Pen Again
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten poem Look out the man's got the pen again, about soul searching through writing, which went into the song BETTER THAN IT SEEMS (set list 9, track 8), on a three-hole lined sheet, published in Poems By Tom.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
432Attempting To Believe The Unbelievable
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten dark-ink poem Attempting to believe the unbelievable (attempting to achieve the unachievable), on a torn spiral-pad sheet, published in Poems By Tom.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
448Can you feel a dark entity
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
SONGS - WORDS THAT BECAME SONGS (IN THE SONG LISTS)
Tom's handwritten black-ink lyric Can you feel a dark entity (clutching ahold of your sanity), which became the song OASIS (song list 3, track 10), on a sheet of lined notebook paper.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
534SONGS / POETRY
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's own yellow Pen-Tab notebook, its cover marked SONGS and POETRY in a drawn cross, filled with handwritten lyrics including 4 Now, 4 Later, 4 Ever, WAITING FOR WAR, PARK THE CAR, SHADOW OF SMOKE and Bad LUCK, many published in the 34 albums and Poems By Tom.
the card says: pieces in it written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 53 pictures
540I've given up on feeding my addiction
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten black-ink poem I've given up on feeding my addiction (wash my hands clean from this filthy affliction), on a spiral-pad sheet, published in Poems By Tom and 200 Poems Waiting For Music.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
616GATE KEEPER
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten lyric GATE KEEPER by Tom Jensen, in black ink on lined loose-leaf with a boxed verse, opening 'Gate keeper, gate keeper / I can dig a little deeper', from his 34 albums (set list 13, track 3).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
619I'm a Self-Saboteur
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten lyric I'M A SELF-SABOTEUR, on a torn sheet of lined Mead notebook paper, about a man who locks his own doors from the inside, which became the song QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY (set list 7, track 7) in his 34 albums.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
655We both been to a place
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten poem WE BOTH BEEN TO A PLACE, on a lined legal sheet, about two people who met and danced in a place without a space and have seen the worst that can happen, published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written at age 18 to 23
See the whole card → 2 pictures
720I told myself, 'I've got to give in'
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten blue-ink draft of I TOLD MYSELF, I'VE GOT TO GIVE IN on a torn-edge sheet of lined notebook paper, the words that became the song QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY (set list 7, track 7, in the 34 Albums) and first published in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
748Surely someone, sometwo is out there somewhere
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten full poem SURELY SOMEONE, SOMETWO IS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE, in black ink on a worn, aged sheet of loose-leaf marked with a circled 5, published in his first book Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
916I told myself I've got to give in
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten lines "I told myself I've got to give in / live on the same grid as the competition," in faint writing on a torn piece of Mead lined notebook paper, which became the song QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY (set list 7, track 7) in the 34 Albums and appears in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
919All my inner turmoil is at peace
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten two-line poem "All my inner turmoil is at peace / I slayed the dragon, I conquered the beast," in faint writing on a plain white sheet; a lyric from the 34 Albums, published in Poems By Tom (2007) and Only The Best (2018).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 3 pictures
1053Not everyone's presence is a gift...
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
POEMS IN THE 34 ALBUMS
Tom's handwritten four-line lyric NOT EVERYONE'S PRESENCE IS A GIFT... on a sheet of lined notebook paper with a torn corner, lines that went into the song QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY (set list 7, track 7) in the 34 Albums.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
no picture on the card yet
1096Poems By Subject
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's tabbed binder of his typed poems sorted by subject, opening with the Moral Messages section and ODE TO JASON (A FALLEN HERO), a ballad about a fourth grader lost in a snowstorm searching for his dog; it holds work that went into the song PEN AND PAPER (set list 1, track 4) in the 34 Albums.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
1378FIRST DRAFT FINISHED SONGS
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
LOOSE LYRICS, ONE-LINERS AND RHYME WORD BANKS
Tom's stack of FIRST DRAFT FINISHED SONGS by Tom Jensen, a cover sheet marked CHECK ALL these with a row of first-draft lyric sheets including AMONGST MEN, for songs in the 34 Albums.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 1 picture
1592A PERFECT WORLD
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's printed book ONLY THE BEST, kept with a printed page of his poem A PERFECT WORLD and the story of how it began on a trip, the words behind his song PERFECT WORLD (set list 20, track 10 of the 34 Albums); the poem also appears in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 5 pictures
1593FIRST DRAFT FINISHED SONGS
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's hand-lettered FIRST DRAFT - FINISHED SONGS by Tom Jensen manuscript in red marker and bubble letters, with numbered typed lyric pages and his handwritten title lists on lined paper, kept with his printed book ONLY THE BEST.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 20 pictures
1599Poems By Subject Big Binder With Quotes, Scary Truths Book (Brian Rainstorm)
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's big three-ring binder of hundreds of his typed poems sorted behind colored tab dividers by subject, such as Life Philosophy, Humorous, Love, Love Lost and Moral Messages, kept with his printed book QUOTES, SCARY TRUTHS, ACCRUED WISDOM AND FUNNY HAHAS by Brian Rainstorm, and the binder's front sheet reading ALMOST FINISHED SONGS & BESTEST LYRICS By Tom Jensen with two visitor badges dated 8/22/2005.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 21 pictures
1846ESCAPING THE DEMONS
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older
PRINTED BOOKS, BINDERS AND NOTEBOOKS
Tom's printed poetry book ESCAPING THE DEMONS, poems about fighting drugs and alcohol written to offer hope to others in recovery, with his signed About the author page and poems such as ALCOHOL, ALISON'S AIRPLANE, IRON WILL and PRETTY TOYS.
the card says: written at about age 25 - the About the author page says 'wisdom beyond my 25 years'
See the whole card → 10 pictures
31When I'm with you I never want to say good bye
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older BEST GUESS
SONGS - WORDS THAT BECAME SONGS (IN THE SONG LISTS)
Tom's handwritten love lyric "When I'm with you I never want to say good bye," on two loose-leaf sheets - the words of the song MELODY OF SORROW (song list 6, track 6).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
See the whole card → 2 pictures
398Should I Go to San Francisco
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older BEST GUESS
SONGS - WORDS THAT BECAME SONGS (IN THE SONG LISTS)
Tom's handwritten blue-ink lyric Should I go to San Francisco (I'm getting tired of the snow), one verse on a spiral-torn notebook sheet, which became the song WATER FLESH AND BONE (song list 7, track 5).
the card says: written at about age 26 - by age 29 at the latest
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1054The power's in the mind and it works both ways
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older BEST GUESS
POEMS IN POEMS BY TOM
Tom's handwritten three-line piece 'The power's in the mind and it works both ways / Find your way home in the darkness / Or be led astray' on a torn-edge, three-hole notebook sheet; these lines are a stanza of his poem SECOND DATE, and an earlier wording of them is in Poems By Tom (2007).
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
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1886QUESTION...
written by December 2007 at the latest (age 29) - it may be older BEST GUESS
ESSAYS AND OTHER WRITINGS (NOT LYRICS)
Tom's typed resume opening QUESTION... WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE UP YOUR VALUABLE TIME TO READ THIS RESUME?, setting out his philosophy of treating everyone like family, with his education and job history on the second page.
the card says: written by age 29 at the latest
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MEMORABILIA FROM THIS STORY
Every card on this page is a real piece — 69 pieces.
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What the words mean: PROVED a date or a dated book proves it. BEST GUESS our best reading, not yet proved. TOM SAID Tom's own word. LIKELY strong clues, not yet proved. NOT PROVED an estimate from the pieces around it. NOT SURE the sources disagree. No word: the card gives none yet. "About 1996-2002" means somewhere in those years; the piece is shown once, in the middle year.