foretelling history

i write my name in symbols that are coarse
composed at once of anger and desire
available at each exchange or bourse
i write my name in symbols that are coarse

we lead to water every willing horse
and hope that one will make it to the wire
i write my name in symbols that are coarse
composed at once of anger and desire

the goals to which each of us may aspire
are covered up by the dull autumn leaves
we seek each day to set up ever higher
the goals to which each of us may aspire

no rules may govern who shall start the fire
nor what is hidden up a jester's sleeves
the goals to which each of us may aspire
are covered up by the dull autumn leaves

ruler alike of merchants and of thieves
the divine being smiling on each street
takes all the credit for the farmers' sheaves
ruler alike of merchants and of thieves

so one may cheer just at the other grieves
while rats uncounted run about our feet
ruler alike of merchants and of thieves
the divine being smiling on each street

i walk about to speak and smile and greet
the ones who enter on the moving stage
each hopes the day will turn out calm and sweet
i walk about to speak and smile and greet

we may advance but we may not retreat
the losing option puts us in a rage
i walk about to speak and smile and greet
the ones who enter on the moving stage

an actor does not choose his proper age
nor where he enters in the play's long course
the playwright has become both fool and mage
an actor does not choose his proper page

instead i find myself obliged to gauge
the distance i must travel on each horse
an actor does not choose his proper age
nor where he enters in the play's long course