once towers stood

the moment comes and beggars all belief
all we remember is late summer blue
the seeming silence and then all the grief

so much would turn on a bright wing or leaf
thoughts focused on plain obligations due
the moment comes and beggars all belief

you tie your pain up into a tight sheaf
and hand it over without ballyhoo
the seeming silence and then all the grief

we've taken pains to pick the right motif
to mark the moment to show what is true
the moment comes and beggars all belief

of all our duties this one is the chief
to colour in the last clear mortal hue
the seeming silence and then all the grief

year succeeds year without the least relief
you fail to see those signs we must construe
the moment comes and beggars all belief
the seeming silence and then all the grief