for all some light

there are no answers but the simple fact

that we have asked will make some things more clear

even to those for whom the worlds appear

as cheap illusions or as the abstract

daubings of visions that might not attract

the subtler gaze here in this colder air

what we must ask is that the wise compare

the truths of things and then that they just act

not all who reach this place have learnt to look

at the right angles where they might discern

those matters not for ordinary sight

yet what we find in not so secret book

for those who have the time truly to learn

is that there is each day for all some light

forbear

in this stark universe no secrets left

for hawk-eyed seekers that's what we must know

to keep our minds still centred on the flow

of bodies moving with uncertain heft

from truth to fact like water from the snow

in this stark universe no secrets left

so what we find is that some sort of theft

has changed the weight of matters it is so

uncertain now and we are trapped below

in this stark universe no secrets left

best means of good accord

resounding horns in deep glittering cave

not music now nor urgent call of hunt

a message that is both banal and blunt

containing nothing that we need or crave

yet full of meaning those who are so brave

may striking upward swiftly to confront

the enemy who blasts may hear them grunt

with sudden shock of nothing left to save

our hope is not in music nor in joy

of victory hard won by those who fought

without the expectation of reward

we seek instead the means to best employ

the tools of wisdom and the ways of thought

to bring about best means of good accord

the better life

those places that are marked on every map

we drew in childhood to ensure our play

had structure in the mind that they would stay

solidly longer than the infant pap

of other games would drift through every nap

shaping the dream out of imagined clay

to make a brightness greater than the day

when ordinary life was only crap

from word to vision the true path is clear

so that you take it with eyes truly cold

through the divisions of a world in strife

with all the forces that would shred and tear

your heart and spirit as you become old

reject them all and choose the better life

to win or lose in grace

all that we know has been subject to loss

of definition and of common sense

so we make of the remnant a pretense

and aim to sneak our last hard words across

the barrier between plain truth and dross

but find that we are caught up on that fence

lacking a guide and with no good defense

our coins have come up wrong side on the toss

no messengers will reach the happy place

where children think that justice is at home

to  give report now that is no regret

for those who stand to win or lose in grace

or find what's hidden underneath the foam

the seat is ready and the board is set

beyond the eastern shore

far out beyond the eastern shore

where all our senses ought to fail

the howling realm of shark and whale

exist dim hints of something more

another place on larger scale

far out beyond the eastern shore

what's there is easy to ignore

the oceans are too wide to sail

waters are deep winds loudly wail

far out beyond the eastern shore

the mistress of wit

not only sounds but senses we require

to build the worlds in which our hearts will fit

all meanings in the end must add to fire

in order that we see that those who hire

the truth in stages do not crimes commit

not only sounds but senses we require

to bring our vision to a place that's higher

beyond the limits where the foolish sit

all meanings in the end must add to fire

when what comes after means we must retire

from all our options while the times permit

not only sounds but senses we require

for matters that will lead all to aspire

far past the normal so that atoms split

all meanings in the end must add to to fire

that is the certainty life is no liar

she's the true joker the mistress of wit

not only sounds but senses we require

all meanings in the end must add to fire

no way back to beauty

when after hard night’s sleep you wake to shock

of world everted by some horrid act

that frightens into childhood though the fact

is not so dangerous as to unlock

those charging monsters that good adults block

assuring you that though we've been attacked

the enemy will suffer the impact

and we will be as stalwart as the rock

the sounds of battle will not this day reach

our tender ears the voices urge stay calm

just go about your life and do your duty

yet they are silent those who ought to teach

the urgent lesson that there is no balm

to ease the pain and no way back to beauty

when the waters burn

some answers teach us that we have to ask

in simple words but make the complex set

of terminologies our broadest net

the tool that's aptest for this ample task

of abyssal exploring those who bask

on  the warm hills they who will never get

how hard the job is whose feet are not wet

they'll not discern the world behind the mask

but on some morning when the mists depart

those who go furthest out may well discern

in the sharp moment of deepest desire

the one thing missing to complete each heart

at the right moment when the waters burn

with the clear light of universal fire

april

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

there's weight of dust and water in the air

all eyes are taken by the sudden green

the change of seasons never comes quite clean

but winter's going with one sort of care

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

to reassure us that the great machine

continues working now the signs are fair

all eyes are taken by the sudden green

the starting colours almost seem obscene

after the starkness yet we cannot fear

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

as roughnesses are covered by a screen

of leaves and blossoms and now we stare

all  eyes are taken by the sudden green

of trees and bushes that we had long seen

bare and asleep so now a new affair

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

all eyes are taken by the sudden green

cliff-dwelling swallows

cliff-dwelling swallows in the dryer vent

are a connection that we have to face

between free nature and the harsh rat race

at intersection of domestic content

where meaning  action symbol and intent

all come together in a single place

as bird and woman each concede a space

and neither knows just what the other meant

the niche that out of nature has been set

for me to watch as swallows make their home

is given proper purpose by the flight

of urgent swallows leaving as the wet

signals of springtime depart from the dome

of bluing sky and cheer  me by the sight

long after the bright spring

there are some gains from adding years to life

then there are losses from the very start

that cannot be avoided by the art

or skill that teaches ease of horrid strife

although the world with pain and death is rife

we don't just throw the bodies on the cart

and pass on by each of us has some heart

yet still we know we must go under knife

no magic keeps us hidden from the fact

that life's a process with an ending point

and not some bird forever on the wing

this play must reach at last the closing act

the times must be put into proper joint

and winter come long after the bright spring

line of sight

so now we measure trust by line of sight

as all depart in wonder at the rain

not knowing what the new day might contain

but happy that they've made it past the night

just one more time in this uncertain light

no one is guaranteed surcease of pain

but all are pleased and they will not complain

out of sheer gladness at escape from blight

we are not clear just what is the true rule

with which to govern those who always tell

the human story from the underside

since they have learnt it in a horrid school

where life comes down to touch and taste and smell

and there's no room for any thought of pride