dropping a sign

changing the symbol changes the whole sense
we go from altitude down to the core
from fullest grace to places we abhor
and all we do turns out to be pretense
our choice was made when we were being dense
and though we tried we failed to swoop or soar
to do those things we'd planned to do before
all of our hopes now go into suspense
you think this is some kind of magic pill
that changes frogs into princely shape
but you are wrong this is no such device
what we have here is a besetting ill
that leaves each of us in the form of ape
and lets us know quite well what is our price