exploring the record

history tells us what we already know
the figures of the past are shadows now
we turn to metaphor each threat or vow
into their hearts we cannot truly go
time's movement always seems too slow
we want to understand to see just how
each one stood tall and did not deign to bow
but all that's left's a kind of puppet show
what once was thought the plainest fact
now seems another shadow badly cast
changing with each movement in the breeze
faced with this past we each abandon tact
asserting that our modes of thought will last
and history smiles she's always such a tease