through the mist

this is the very mystery of grey
between the half-felt pressure of the rain
and the dread certainty of some more pain
before you get out what you have to say
in words that every feeling might betray
you have to act you can't choose to abstain
too many voices speak for even strain
nor is there evidence of clearer way
from shallow waters come no mercies now
beyond horizons we can see no bird
and in the end naught we say will matter
the whole endeavour centres on one vow
a single enterprise hangs upon a word
utter it and universes shatter