fourth wall

the audience sits up the play will start
we'll see the actors take up their pretense
we sit forward now all emotions intense
what's told is true of every normal heart
each action each character's own part
seems in its doing both small and immense
the sound and sight batter upon the sense
for we've been incorporated in the art
laughter and tears and yet we have no link
to these strange people out upon the stage
we find release and yet we were not tied
we've come for ease but find we have to think
to draw in all the humour and all the rage
unmoving we're exhausted from the ride

between rainfalls

pallor of sky the sign of coming rain
a grey day for all of us yet some relief
will come nature's the fairest thief
of time and effort yet all ends in pain
that was the message we heard it plain
there's no refuge in any faith or belief
we face the monster it consumes our grief
and then returns it to us once again
the sun's up there we know that as a fact
but here and now the weight of dulling light
makes it remote yet we are not afraid
of what will come we have yet some tact
to keep our minds off any coming fright
we earn our wages and we will be paid

migraine

in memory things always have a glow
but at the time it certainly wasn't there
you get a sense of a long ebb and flow
that softens recall of the stifling air
and all the pain and every little care
that was confronted yet we have to see
we have arrived because we chose to dare
on the horizon stands a giant tree

the pain came on just like a heavy blow
with miles to walk and little day to spare
i held my head down and my heart was low
on endless road i walked towards the glare
of sunset little beast eyes on all sides stare
from the sharp agony i know i can't flee
i'm walking wakeful with my own nightmare
on the horizon stands a giant tree

all is in order i've been at pains to stow
all that i need but it seems just so unfair
the headache seems intended now to show
that i must endure that i've got to bear
the stabbing pain until i want to tear
half my head off i know that cannot be
this is exclusive this i will not share
on the horizon stands a giant tree

prince you've got carriages and carts to spare
the sufferings of your subjects here you see
we've heard so often that you really care
on the horizon stands a giant tree

universal signal

what makes all places look alike is rain
tropical or temperate or normally cold
north south east west new world or old
the steady fall of drops makes all plain
dulls sound makes all things dark by main
force of steady falling everything's on hold
we can't express a process to unfold
the world is covered by a steady stain
after sunset things are much the same
the interruption of a car's headlights
could be anywhere the dank odour
is universal all seems weak and tame
humanity is linked by such damp nights
the cryptogram does not need a decoder

for the republic

what we must do is act with due measure
taking account of needs and of desires
restraint must be applied to bank the fires
and duty counts far more than mere pleasure
work's the obligation and the reward leisure
to greater service each citizen aspires
and seeks the civic palm ere he retires
all goes at last into the collective treasure
not for the first time is our expectation
that voice and vote must act with joint force
to build a symbol in our public spaces
the heart and core of this civilised nation
a common strength that comes from sharing course
that knows its origins and keeps the traces