the message

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

roll from the speaker who stood above

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

there’s what we have asked for much has been done

the structure is falling just one more shove

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

and we are not startled though it may stun

having already seen fist in the glove

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

pleasant words told us of miles left to run

with hearts of a lion and souls of a dove

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

out of the vision the teller had spun

came more hope than any of us had thought of

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

the story of all that was worth being won

the magic and beauty of our common love

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

by the open door

these are the laws with which all must comply

within the bounds not just of this one state

but under all the norms of human freight

as though we were not only passing by

like winter birds up in the cloudless sky

each on its way towards a waiting mate

with certain knowledge of the coming date

true clarity of vision in each eye

so duty comes upon us and we weep

for all those moments when we could not stand

in proper place right by the open door

where ordinary watchers just might keep

a welcome jug of water close to hand

and for the hungry perhaps something more

within this pleasant air

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

birds cry our presence we are monsters here

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

in each small clearing there's not much to see

the light of morning seems harsh and austere

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

wild pines in the high branches in the lee

of the bright breezes which bring so much cheer

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

much further in avoiding the decree

of the hard fate that they all seem to fear

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

commensal vision where we might agree

on how life comes both to survive and share

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

while we explain how these things come to be

in dappled light within this pleasant air

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

every human course

no echoes but the silence is so loud

that we are caught between the dark and pain

of interrupted morning once again

when rushing with all ants in the huge crowd

each is obliged to do what is allowed

take up the load and soak in the old stain

just hope that we are moving with the grain

and all the while refrain from being proud

those are the rules and they were clearly made

beyond the veil since they’re a simple law

meant to apply in every human course

until recall of all our deeds shall fail

then in good time we’ll offer up the flaw

leaving the payment to a lesser force

by the time it matters

wisdom is but sharp experience read

against the peal of years and given weight

still by the time it matters we are dead

so all your chiding some good thought has bred

within each mind before the hour turns late

wisdom is but sharp experience read

in the cold pages of the tale of dread

as drear hours pass until we reach the gate

still by the time it matters we are dead

and all good judgment given up and fled

since it is past all moment for debate

wisdom is but sharp experience read

as text to the dark music in each head

that echoes in deep tones against the slate

still by the time it matters we are dead

therefore avoiding all those who have fled

into the perils of a different state

wisdom is but sharp experience read

still by the time it matters we are dead

some good word to say

our world turns all experience into test

just so we're measured each and every day

each purpose is the same to be the best

the angry and the ones who acquiesced

in the strict rules by which we willed to play

our world turns all experience into test

they said to us and we thought it a jest

until the last good choices went away

each purpose is the same to be the best

at this long game and not to be depressed

is what the teacher said and we were grey

our world turns all experience into test

with each achievement losing all its zest

once skill has turned it into just more play

each purpose is the same to be the best

so that is all the worth we may attest

while each of us has some good word to say

our world turns all experience into test

each purpose is the same to be the best

the last short trip

so much is lost inside the space of dark

where what we see and hear is felt so hard

that when we tear or find the door is barred

to every vision and without a mark

we turn to go we hasten to embark

on one more journey while you stand on guard

with eyes close watching on the final yard

as all our choices now have come down stark

no names are mentioned in the frozen place

where all are sorted for the last short trip

out to oblivion yet there's a chance

that these sad agents of the human race

may for a moment get themselves a grip

so joining in the finest kind of dance

no dark to hate

no matter what the peak arcs all descend

unto the earth from which they first arose

that's the most certain the most profound trend

even for one who best withstands the blows

of evil fortune or of cruel fate

falls to despair then rises to high state

no epoch should be measured by one rule

yet we insist that far beyond the cool

and shaded halls where measure has its sway

all things are governed by a simple tool

so each becomes the hero of their day

just past its height the moment seems to bend

with all the weight of ages that could close

cold time's long judgment that will never mend

either warm eyes or the dull hearts that froze

from lack of feeling or the heavy freight

of knowledge that would rise and not abate

from the bright ocean to the chiefly stool

while other wisdoms might in time unspool

we were not shown the truth but in one way

which was to lead us all back into school

so each becomes the hero of their day

there's nothing more on which we must depend

between the morning and the next repose

when all the hours will with clean music blend

so that our thoughts will come out sweeter prose

all of our motion take a smoother gait

while vision leave  us with no dark to hate

returning light finds each beside a pool

bright with our hopes and in the morning cool

though being clear and apt enough for play

we can be certain that none is a fool

so each becomes the hero of their day

we have been warned against the last misrule

of ancient dodderers sunk in their drool

their grimaces the doltish things they say

enough to know we're past this basic school

so each becomes the hero of their day

at the woodland gate

partway along the path that all must tread

wrong turning taken in the dusk and muck

no hope to find the proper road ahead

so easy then to say that truth had fled

give up on life along with all my luck

partway along the path that all must tread

while many voices echo no words said

could quite convey how badly one was stuck

no hope to find the proper road ahead

darkness around the human world abed

so easy then the mortal form to shuck

partway along the path that all must tread

where none could scream from simple weight of dread

no light could come from passing car or truck

no hope to find the proper road ahead

the only message was you must fall dead

the world goes on no one will give a fuck

partway along the path that all must tread

no hope to find the proper road ahead

war story

from mountains coloured by no faint regret

there's never pause to think we must be past

the urgent moment when we were beset

by what seemed armies that could not forget

the banner that was once seen on our mast

from mountains coloured by no faint regret

yet we must move to wait would be to fret

and patience is for those who have not passed

the urgent moment when we were beset

from every side but still would take the bet

against despair we could not be outclassed

from mountains coloured with no faint regret

each could discern what would not be upset

till beyond hope all pilgrims would hold fast

the urgent moment when we were beset

right at the point where all the roads had met

and journeys would have reached their end at last

from mountains coloured by no faint regret

the urgent moment when we were beset