the final curve

so long the walk and in the end dog-tired
i come over the last pass and the distant sea
comes into view at last you would agree
that as the sun sets and the water fired
purple and red and gold properly attired
for a long night and those things that must be
when sun and water i'll no longer see
but further commentary isn't now required
in truth i just have one more hill to climb
the view is better what seem scattered stars
over all the lowland but i will not test
my vision further this is a peaceful time
i know the daylight will show blemishes scars
and other evils but now it's time to rest

looking back at the city

it seems so strange to see the buildings lit
almost empty streets once in a while a car
passing my any movement might just mar
the perfection of the time all things must fit
the shape of the world but also must commit
themselves to its harsh life nothing too far
beyond the normal but yet within the bar
of all existence inasmuch as they have wit
voices that tell us there's a stranger way
but one with higher hope they may deceive
or they may not that thing we cannot know
for the time being we have our common day
and all the things we get or may believe
the task is simple get on which the show

walking to work

the darkened towers above the well-lit street
loom in full silence where once there was life
the street is usually quiet at this hour never rife
with movement purpose only my heavy feet
and the wheels of my bag as we move not fleet
but steady on the way the light is sharp as knife
on bleary eyes as i pass by no fear of any strife
at least at this odd hour never a one i meet
in these long streets at this the changing hour
between the night and day only the working men
and women will be out not too long the walk
to reach my office still each empty idle tower
within this moment each their fear must pen
inside their hearts above flies last nighthawk

allamandas

the scent of allamandas takes me back
the distance and the places vanish quite
it's the sweet odour that hangs in night
in a garden beside the mountain track
the earth seems to open a wide crack
appears in the ground it's time for flight
return to normal nothing but a slight
slip back in time there's naught slack
about the mind and heart that seek
in deepest memory to find the better self
and in that recollection to define
what makes us strong and leaves us weak
what we should have put back on the shelf
and what in our own psyches to refine

up pearl lagoon

with no sense of illusion or of fear
the boat goes out onto the quiet bay
this is the oddest journey of the year
an expedition that in just one day
will take us all along this waterway
to a kind of place i'd known in the far past
upon our heads the rain and thunder play
this is a true adventure at long last

there's plastic tarp in plenty and to spare
to shield us from the rain and from the spray
it's far too hot right now to think of fear
on this swift launch we don't long want to stay
above the water we note the bright ray
the boatman feels the need to be quite fast
the sun comes out we stop and talk and sway
this is a true adventure at long last

we've come so far with caution and with care
what do we do but what we ought and may
choose from our time in the warm sun and air
above the shore we see each village lay
in proper place we've come the rightful way
the sun on the water now has a pleasant cast
i'm here to work though not to laugh and play
this is a true adventure at long last

prince as you these few chosen words must weigh
in proper balance as you think and stare
at this small record consider it in this way
this is a true adventure at long last

this shall suffice

in time we'll know which steps we should retrace
and which were false and led us into pain
small are our hearts yet infinite as space

we stand accused of lacking sense of place
our lives are not lived seeking greater gain
in time we'll know which steps we should retrace

no power above can lend us greater grace
that nature gives us that should now be plain
small are our hearts yet infinite as space

this is our journey we alone can set the pace
we've been fooled once but won't be fooled again
in time we'll know which steps we should retrace

distant be night only then shall we unlace
both boots and souls with relief after strain
small are our hearts yet infinite as space

there is a knowledge hidden behind each face
it cannot be hidden no matter how much we feign
in time we'll know which steps we should retrace
small are our hearts yet infinite as space