reading the weather

an ominous dull red in the low sky
bespeaks a storm and doesn't only warn
but tells us that the very air is torn
in search of comfort now the swallows fly
nothing else moves nothing seems dry
the world regards us with unbridled scorn
another monster will shortly be born
the time of shattering draws nigh
we name the winds but they are never tame
there's trust in stone but even that may fall
what we can do seems little at this time
the whole thing's nothing like a silly game
what falls first will till now have stood tall
the hope we had is now fallen from its prime

the straightest path

these arcs of story are all in the game
what's not for sale has lost all worth
no one's been paid for burial or birth
truth's feet today are hobbled and lame
there's greatest eagerness to give blame
but of acceptance there's a great dearth
desire for better life must come to earth
still there is hope for this undying flame
pale blossoms lurk among the leaves
damp does not rise on days like this
heat makes the shadows deeply dark
not one who weeps and beauty grieves
the winds above us still don't hiss
while every arrow strikes its mark

prognosis

no matter what the time of year
the hills will dull in distant view
about such facts we will not care

though we must always sit and stare
this vision still won't become true
no matter what the time of year

a truth that is not plain or bare
turns out at once most false in hue
about such facts we will not care

the fence keeps stallion and mare
they will attend the proper cue
no matter what the time of year

remarkable that things stay clear
there's nothing here that isn't new
about such facts we will not care

regardless what the horse thinks queer
each of us must give time its due
no matter what the time of year
about such facts we will not care

giving an answer

we won't accept there's a dispute
between the wonders on each side
none choose which destrier to ride
nor what will vanish down the chute
no difference between man or brute
life is the same beneath the hide
blood cannot be a source of pride
but thought's the fount of all repute
light disappears with all desire
our hopes are focused on the sky
there's nothing here to hold us back
in every heart there must be fire
each of us overcomes the lie
and puts the torturer to the rack

a proper victory

no one will ever forget the light
outside the leaves glow in the sun
the memory warms us at night

there's something that isn't right
or so we think before we're done
no one will ever forget the light

leaves shining fill our normal sight
on the grey trunks insects run
the memory warms us at night

each leaf must animate a sprite
darker spirits must day shun
no one will ever forget the light

no room for animus or spite
the heat must any anger stun
the memory warms us at night

no creature can deny the right
to make yourself the honest one
no one will ever forget the light
the memory warms us at night

after the thunder

not enough to dance
the music must absorb us
spring is rejoicing

night falling a smile
last red glow of the sunshine
promising new growth

yesterday the rain
satiating the dry earth
was a great blessing

today the bright blue
seems more clean more fresh happy
a good thing for us