a frank discussion

each word we speak has measured length and weight
there's nothing more that can be done this hour
each moment comes and light falls on the flower
meaning combines though message comes too late
the signal's overwhelmed by its own large freight
yet when we're asked why we've not yet turned sour
the response that we make won't have the power
to push our last hope through the starting gate
none of our actions come from thorough thought
there is no avocation that we've truly chosen
all of our hopes require we stand and speak
not what we want but only the things we ought
to utter as free folk but yet our hearts are frozen
by all our memories and that will make us weak

a time of wonder

when we make the journey back in time and place
it isn't easy to recall the turning of the wheel
the way the rough road under our feet would feel
instead we concentrate on remembering each face
each turning of the road the framing of the space
by hill and sky and sea and what the honest deal
was that gave us power over both fire and steel
the journey outwards has been a long hard race
were there truly mornings when the sun rose at ten
the ancient forests stretching out old night
while sunset came to us from the western sea
an honest answer makes each day live again
and dusty memory comes back into plain sight
the rules that were return and time must flee

frangibility

all that gives power to make gives power to crack
every new messenger brings the worst news
and yet none fight with harness on their back

the thing most wanted is not the one we lack
the sword that we desire is not the sword that hews
all that gives power to make gives power to crack

what gives us grief is not what makes us tack
our banner to the tree we've not left any clues
and yet none fight with harness on their back

no more tricks can be pulled from the endless sack
the whip that flails has no cure for the blues
all that gives power to make gives power to crack

if we play cards we'll find ourselves the jack
so many claim to walk in our old open shoes
and yet none fight with harness on their back

so in the end when all must fade to black
the ones who win will all have paid their dues
all that gives power to make gives power to crack
and yet none fight with harness on their back

on the edge of the gully

to take that goat track was a stupid deed
still the adventure taught me something new
for to achieve it there was no true need

bent almost double clinging to each weed
i took each step and went all the way through
to take that goat track was a stupid deed

the young have energy and do not heed
what they are told they seek a better clue
for to achieve it there was no true need

along that slope the goats could move with speed
with their sure feet not slipping on the dew
to take that goat track was a stupid deed

to dare and conquer that was then my creed
i looked below me as the vultures flew
for to achieve it there was no true need

from our set limits the animals were freed
below all green the sky above all blue
to take that goat track was a stupid deed
for to achieve it there was no true need