ceremony of innocence

how do we answer when we are not called
but sense a need that we might just fulfill
not just a matter of good heart or will
yet this is all that others here have hauled
these gardens are wide open none are walled
the sky above us seems serene and still
their golden names have not the power to kill
mothers and wives have keened and bawled
in vain for there's no answer to the theme
that life proposes unless we take the chance
to make our own way through the gloomy wild
the whole thing will appear as just a dream
no one retreats and yet there's no advance
the adult seeks for guidance from the child

another working day

we find the sun has weight and brings us pain
as well as life that day clear in its light
is not always the most pleasant sight
we look at the few clouds and long for rain
the summer now has come upon us plain
no room for winter and its frozen blight
but when you work you find relief is slight
there is no choice here but to sweat and strain
so when the signal comes that marks the hour
there's nothing left but to down tools and weep
for shadows that deny both hope and choice
in the woods small animals hide and cower
they long for rest but fear the end of sleep
meanwhile we hear a single gentle voice

making significance

there's not a sound but that we want it loud
silence weighs on us like an evil dream
all meaning is conveyed in the dark shroud

whose sense of justice makes them proud
do more than what the law itself might deem
there's not a sound but that we want it loud

magic and sorcery here are not allowed
but here's a cat that's lapped up all the cream
all meaning is conveyed in the dark shroud

above our heads we note the fleeing cloud
reality means more than it might seem
there's not a sound but that we want it loud

and yet no gifts but what was first endowed
to one who came and caught the early gleam
all meaning is conveyed in the dark shroud

never deny those things that once were vowed
more will be shown than in the basic theme
there's not a sound but that we want it loud
all meaning is conveyed in the dark shroud

at an oblique angle

to welcome all the listeners and wish them every joy
there's nothing like the terminus to tell us of the war
amazing that we never seem to open the front door
on every side we see the meanings folk employ
to tell us what we're doing and to let the power annoy
the ones who cannot rise above the margin of the floor
name one and name another or we will lose the score
with access to the matters that we cannot now enjoy
so what the starter gives us when we do not see the way
will let us make our fortunes or else will let us thrive
in whatever little corner we choose to make our home
we've not been given orders nor the seating of the play
instead we must be grateful our friends are still alive
but stay condemned to move and wonder why we roam
evidence one would think that we are no more than foam
our hopes remain but now our bodies must not stay
none will be observing when our aircraft arrive
the soil in which we planted will turn out to be clay
there cannot be a moment in which we don't revive
the hopes that we have read of in every sacred tome
so when we reach the mountain we won't be grey or sad
but thank our lucky stars for all the happiness we had

marking essays

no little doings
make the earth turn and sun rise
powerful forces

outside the deep night
trees holding silent darkness
the moon behind clouds

we wonder at this
seeking stars to guide our steps
dimly the lights glow

warm is this darkness
summer's promise a sure bet
evoking laughter