future perfect

we do not hide our light beneath the rock
but jump in horror as bats flee the cave
at top of hill we turn and look and wave
and far below a ship comes in to dock
no one should make the choice to praise or mock
when nothing we can do would help to save
the greatest one from falling into grave
and that should be neither surprise nor shock
the value that we find even in ink
on creamy paper need not make us tense
even if all that we need do is look
the very thought will bring us to the brink
and leave us gasping at the lack of sense
in those who are so easy brought to book