gone past the lilacs

at any time we may require some sign
of what is meant by those who speak
the way to go is never soft and fine

crawling out of the darkened mine
we know ourselves to be truly the weak
at any time we may require some sign

we straighten much more than the spine
the smallest bird will have the sharpest beak
the way to go is never soft and fine

to what dark fate we may our hearts resign
all futures from this place seem just as bleak
at any time we may require some sign

the brightest thought now turns out malign
the brave runs away faster than the meek
the way to go is is never soft and fine

thus and no other way we find the line
there's nothing here that anyone would seek
at any time we may require some sign
the way to go is never soft and fine