peering into the dark

the shadow stays while earth turns at its pace
we name the hours and seem to name them wrong
we're horses handicapped in the ten-furlong race

outside it's hard to read the message of each face
the night gets shorter though it seems too long
the shadow stays while earth turns at its pace

it seems to us that we've just marched in place
waking we eat and drink but we are never strong
we're horses handicapped in the ten-furlong race

the years have left with us far more than a trace
of pain and sorrow we've beaten on that gong
the shadow stays while earth turns at its pace

wring out the towels we've cleaned up this space
and now we see it crowded by the throng
we're horses handicapped in the ten-furlong race

what matters in the end but style and grace
we hope we'll be remembered in the song
the shadow stays while earth turns at its pace
we're horses handicapped in the ten-furlong race