early up

flashes of lightning wake me in the night
and i lie calmly waiting for the rain
knowing that soon there will not be a light

so many things are set in black and white
that are not easy and were never plain
flashes of lightning wake me in the night

the thunder says things that are seldom right
reminding each of us of mortal pain
knowing that soon there will not be a light

we have long fallen from the better height
and live these days for only petty gain
flashes of lightning wake me in the night

it is too late to beg the dog to bite
against the leash we see it will not strain
knowing that soon there will not be a light

and you and i caught in the selfsame plight
we know how much of hope we must sustain
flashes of lightning wake me in the night
knowing that soon there will not be a light