in reason rotten

for what we do not know we take the blame
a moment's thought should clear the mind
there's nothing here but an eternal flame

those in the woods reject the meek and tame
but when it comes to justice they are blind
for what we do not know we take the blame

uncured remain the dumb the halt the lame
no respite from their sorrow do they find
there's nothing here but an eternal flame

what has appeared was not what before came
to tell us who and what made humankind
for what we do not know we take the blame

we are not ready but still we take our aim
what has been loosed we cannot again bind
there's nothing here but an eternal flame

there's nothing real here it's just another game
the things that matter have been left behind
for what we do not know we take the blame
there's nothing here but an eternal flame

an early manuscript

each letter curls in its peculiar way
each word is beautiful in its own right
the eye's made happy at the sight
each character has its own proper day
they tempt us all to read and stay
but we must rush ahead of night
for fear of dread and other blight
we've no time for rest and less for play
history does not record these moans
nor does it recall those other signs
of beauty taken far beyond our bearing
the shapes of perfectly carved stones
half-precious fresh from out the mines
and jewels made the better for the wearing

a nagging doubtv

when we've done all our tasks and are at rest
the mind will stir and invent things undone
each day each hour we confront another test

life we are told lies between curse and jest
what each has lost the other has just won
when we've done all our tasks and are at rest

what most we wish for's a burden and a pest
when we don't have it that's not so much fun
each day each hour we confront another test

the garden we've laid out was made with zest
but now we have no zeal and honour shun
when we've done all our tasks and are at rest

we've got the duty to fulfill your last request
you'll be long gone before we see the sun
each day each hour we confront another test

what's been required was done at your behest
it was a sore trial to us though not the only one
when we've done all our tasks and are at rest
each day each hour we confront another test

the brilliant youth

you read the words but they just don't make sense
meaning has been abandoned wisdom denied
but each who writes has still retained full pride
although there's no evidence of number nor of tense
they'll feign ignorance or accuse you of being dense
because you don't comprehend their noble side
they're here for the degree and should not hide
at home to write but need only make pretense
at study or at thought that stuff's just for whites
they're far too proud to edit or even to revise
it's your fault if you can't understand their crap
but if they flunk you've attacked their basic rights
they're no experience but believe they're wise
they know that education's just a racist trap

whether it prevail or not

what's true or not we need not here debate
the story that we're told is not correct
what we find here is cause and not effect
there are no bars to close and seal the gate
our presence here is more than simple fate
yet when we're done we cannot then reject
tellers of tales might too soon run unchecked
and our small skill at words might then berate
magic we name the things we cannot know
we give it in our fear a much greater power
than any which could come from human hand
and then we find as all our senses go
that we've mistaken which is the true hour
and given that we've failed to understand

irrational conclusions of a time

numbers going up and down they're felt
but what we have to do with them's not clear
they measure in detail the touch of air
along a cycle we'd call it i guess a daily belt
too cool to walk not hot enough to smelt
the purest ore that comes into our care
but still we're certain things are just unfair
that's the only hand that we've been dealt
the hour too it seems to me should be late
what rhythms time has left are fading
so what will matter won't be in conflict
the pressures of the day will not abate
we've got the orders got the bill of lading
and something soon will happen we predict