an empty room

an empty room is creature of this art
yours to restore to please the glancing eye
but none can fill the needs of every heart

the actor knows that he's playing a part
and every word and gesture is a lie
an empty room is creature of this art

grey words a standard meaning might impart
yet hide the full import from any spy
but none can fill the needs of every heart

from shade to shade the hero has to dart
with no good means to hold his hope up high
an empty room is creature of this art

this was the message we heard at the start
no pearl that we had from its bed to pry
but none can fill the needs of every heart

we write the place down on the larger chart
and look up at the swiftly clouding sky
an empty room is creature of this art
but none can fill the needs of every heart