05 December 2007

between fire and flood

the raging fires are seen far out to sea
we rue the chance that will bring us to beach
but have not either wit or hope to flee
there's no power here the which to beseech
for any aid since there is no common speech
and storms are pressing us from on the main
we find the situation's just a peach
but we must tell the story straight and plain

a fiery death must come to house and tree
we wonder if we'll come within its reach
not wise the words that tell us leave things be
and those not in great trouble prate and preach
they aid us no more than a common leech
provides a respite from surgical pain
experience is the best way to teach
but we must tell the story straight and plain

we are not frightened of the things we see
but unseen dangers might our hopes impeach
and of some tremors we are never free
the subtler acids through hard stone may leach
and in the stoutest barrier make a breach
and such things trouble the impassioned brain
you load the cannon muzzle or the breech
but we must tell the story straight and plain

prince the bloodstains recede under the bleach
but we've been marked out for a greater pain
the wounded cannot speak out each to each
but we must tell the story straight and plain

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