not being lost

a flame that flickers under the last glass
so much is heard of what we thought we knew
the choice was made to halt and not to pass
a flame that flickers under the last glass

all of the windows look out on the grass
and not one person pauses for the view
a flame that flickers under the last glass
so much is heard of what we thought we knew

as for the ones who told us they were through
we gave them what they asked for and they sang
not any music that had been made new
as for the ones who told us they were through

on a cold morning we might feel the dew
as having both a coldness and a tang
as for the ones who told us they were through
we gave them what they asked for and they sang

the door that closed has made the loudest clang
and frightened those who would have slept the night
the angry are awakened by the bang
the door that closed has made the loudest clang

the loser has been bitten by the fang
and given up without thought of a fight
the door that closed has made the loudest clang
and frightened those who would have slept the night

those who would speak have given up the right
they handed you the gold and kept the brass
knowing their options had become but slight
those who would speak had given up the right

the world is written up in black and white
and laws define the power of ruling class
those who would speak have given up the right
they handed you the gold and kept the brass