from the hilltop

we watch the distant ships head out to sea
to unseen destinations stranger strands
we are the dwellers in the normal lands
and in our limits think ourselves most free
but no one speaks of what we hope to see
the workings of our parents' minds and hands
that in the end will break the oldest bands
and let us learn all that we're meant to be
nor bird nor fish need pause beside the shore
there are no bounds that any need to know
some shining marvel lies far past the wall
this and this only we cannot ignore
that each day's message is more than a show
and no one rises who won't risk a fall