mystery of the editorial voice

a polite no's far better than a curt yes
we haven't taken thought for that much pain
but know that time will give us more not less

there's no one who can curse or who can bless
we see the clouds and curse the absent rain
a polite no's far better than a curt yes

we say much less than free folk should express
in summer we might laugh at the chilblain
but know that time will give us more not less

we're far too wise to contemplate redress
whatever went before will come again
a polite no's far better than a curt yes

a sort of weight on every head will press
we purport to resist with might and main
but know that time will give us more not less

each of us takes our feelings to excess
in spite of fact we'll hope for victory plain
(a polite no's far better than a curt yes)
but know that time will give us more not less