instead of marking

the rain brings dirty leaves down to the ground
the day seems cool but is not yet really cold
the greyness seems to muffle every sound
but does not call the sheep back to the fold
distant the noise of traffic or passing planes
the world seems to recede like a far bird
the ambient moisture even quiets the trains
the moment calls for a sigh not for a word
i pause for a moment the keyboard seems to call
the work can wait till i am fit to read
the world can do as it likes beyond the wall
i seek to nurture here the quiet seed
the meaning that i look for tries to hide
yet i am safe and dry right here inside

program frozen access restored

the words are lost they meant something i know
they've gone to the great bit-bucket out in space
where all the dead things eventually must go

i seem to remember birds the water's flow
of scholarship and thought in a distant place
the words are lost they meant something i know

already vision seems to throb and glow
the sea has washed our footprints there's no trace
where all the dead things eventually must go

the traffic loudly passes it rains they all move slow
today i have no thought for the rat-race
the words are lost they meant something i know

the work continues the completed pile will grow
i'll get it done and let my thoughts surface
where all the dead things eventually must go

others will come they'll see our work and crow
their triumph as we stand with stony face
the words are lost they meant something i know
where all the dead things eventually must go

choices

whatever happens
we know that we are facing
other crises now

nothing will occur
that we have not made our truth
many rivers flow

waiting patiently
the dragon will not hunger
while knights are foolish

silent watcher hears
but will not speak to us since
we cannot answer

elements of action

what fills the moment is a thought of cold
i've got this far reached a stable stage
now what i've got to do is become bold

no longer trapped in a dank sheepfold
i've done enough to earn myself a wage
what fills the moment is a thought of cold

i am myself i say of an unusual mould
my thoughts fit easily on the blank page
now what i've got to do is become bold

i've done the usual acts been bought and sold
been angry and yet kept hold of my rage
what fills the moment is a thought of cold

repaired the broken bits the stories told
adorned myself at times with new plumage
now what i've got to do is become bold

unless i want to accept the ways of old
i have to learn to analyze the age
what fills the moment is a thought of cold
now what i've got to do is become bold

lesson plan

no mystery in mind but still the sky
is damp and grey and how the winds are cold
november has arrived that is no lie
this is a narrative that's often told
what we examine is not what was found
a substitute instead to foster thought
we're not yet on the undisputed ground
what have got has not yet been bought
a little light remains to show the way
there's just enough to give us space to hope
to take account to let our funds defray
the costs of leather rubber and of rope
the rules are known but we cannot remember
that truth has now burned down to an ember

told three times

the voice reflects the true state of the soul
that person's tone has power to irritate
the mind it issues from has no control

we wait to hear how we can be made whole
with intonations that now crush and grate
the voice reflects the true state of the soul

the memorandum's not backed by a poll
making the speech seem even more irate
the mind it issues from has no control

we've made a choice now we must pay the toll
these pages let us know she's illiterate
the voice reflects the true state of the soul

the voice is not yet clear on her true role
but claims the speaker must pontificate
the mind it issues from has no control

with every syllable it piles on the coal
the message plain and clear will iterate
the voice reflects the true state of the soul
the mind it issues from has no control

obligation

beyond the moment is the longer haul
the tasks to be done once we celebrate
the things that will occur after the ball
all that requires that we participate
inspired or not we see the things to do
no magic comes instead the patience
keeping eyes focused on getting through
tying integrity firmly to resilience
accept that the call is to do the task
not just to bask in the moment's applause
all that's required all that one may ask
is to stay loyal to the proper cause
try to endure and working to stay sane
the job's the one that calls for the humane