the price of knowledge

what's been done gives the world its shape
there's nothing here that we don't truly need
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape

most of us will if we have to bow and scrape
we always seem to lack the proper speed
what's been done gives the world its shape

each of us in our minds will breast the tape
instead we pay attention to each screed
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape

we sit each in our place with mouths agape
at each new horror each new proof of greed
what's been done gives the world its shape

the ship we seek has just rounded the cape
what lies beyond may soon our spirits feed
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape

beneath each human face we find the ape
the monster that cries out in shame and need
what's been done gives the world its shape
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape