the lands of dreams

the shame's no plane or ship will take us all the way
no map will show them though they are quite real
our desire is for abyssinia for serendip and far cathay

yet the journey takes but a moment not a whole day
we know the streets and villages and yet we feel
the shame's no plane or ship will take us all the way

the schoolboy pleasures the youthful joy and play
are gone forever but even so there's still the seal
our desire is for abyssinia for serendip and far cathay

the images that fill our minds we've made them stay
right where we want them that's the true appeal
the shame's no plane or ship will take us all the way

where have they gone though normal human clay
has the same limits still there's a better deal
our desire is for abyssinia for serendip and far cathay

the toils of life are ours our work will all vision slay
we'll not see all the places no new worlds will reveal
the shame's no plane or ship will take us all the way
our desire is for abyssinia for serendip and far cathay

so it does matter

the answer that comes is simple and plain
we're not to do things that cause trouble
the punishments then will be double
we've learned to come in from the rain
though when we see others in trauma and pain
we want to unpile all the trash and the rubble
but don't want to come out of our safety bubble
because our hearts won't take the strain
there's nothing to do with an answer like this
but shrug and go on with everyday life
and not say a thing that would start a new war
success is a matter of hit or of miss
the world is a story of horror and strife
and we've seen everything once before

the real questions

if there were a way to get to the place
that's clear and vibrant on the story's page
would we ask if anyone could gauge
whether we'd gain prestige or just lose face
when we would want to get out of the race
to find a place beyond the power of age
where there's no anger jealousy or rage
the marks of onward journey we'd erase
the magic kingdoms that we dreamt in youth
seem far more distant given every choice
we've made to journey to the life we've got
but somewhere in their image is our truth
the thing that we wish to give fullest voice
before our souls and fingers go to rot

a fleeting gem

on every bare branch buds of water hang
a kind of spring announcement i suppose
each little jewel won't become a rose
but equally won't end with a big bang
the culmination will be drip not clang
but for the moment they're all in repose
no blossom though when sharp wind blows
nor fruit to come no odour and no tang
rain-produced diamonds in this faded light
the harbingers of better warmer days
what purpose have they in their silent speech
the rain that lasted most of the past night
will in its way brighten the sun's fresh rays
the import of this is well within our reach

and yet it moves

in what space we fit the growing heart
matters to us because of the long strain
of winter with its solemn deep-grey rain
on what we find out is just a simple part
of normal life yet going with the grain
is not enough to win us the campaign
but shows up sure as shooting on the chart
there's no desire to block or to divest
the meanings that keep us in our places
but to allow us room for all our love
all our desire is that our lives be best
with nothing blowing up right in our faces
and no power descending from above

rex non peccare potest

to give orders you need not know a thing
nor do you need to think we're here for that
you don't need the brainpower of a rat
you just need the friendship of our glorious king
the hard red stamp made by his seal ring
you can behave like a two-year-old brat
but your word will be final that is flat
if they don't like it you can make them swing
there's no doubt you'll be wielding power
over those who know what's best to do
but they'll need your permission to do it
and if they come at some ungodly hour
you'll make them flee you'll make them shoo
and watch as all that happens turns to shit