watering sunday

a single diamond caught by the plain light
no magic here but water and clean air
there's but one way to get the thing just right

the morning's one that's dry and sharply bright
we have so much that falls under our care
a single diamond caught by the plain light

all life rejoices that another starry night
has been passed by and this day seems so fair
there's but one way to get the thing just right

we catch the redwinged bird in sudden flight
its motion seems to show panache and flair
a single diamond caught by the plain light

wisdom will grow in angry time's despite
if we do more than simply stand and stare
there's but one way to get the thing just right

such simple matters yet they all delight
not one of them that hides a bitter snare
a single diamond caught by the plain light
there's but one way to get the thing just right

the sailor's return

the image can be set in words that burn
with clearest light and do not need a shape
that's odd or twisted the simplest turn

will do to set the limits or cut the tape
you get the vision with the shortest run
of language the ship goes round the cape

into new seas and on the distant beach
a girl laments for lovers who are so far
that neither mind nor voice could ever reach

perhaps a youth who's been summoned to war
or a stern husband who's gone out to sea
she hopes for messages or swears by a star

that she will not be angered will let him be
whatever he desires just so he stays
beside her and does not think to flee

there's hope here for the older settled ways
the certainty of seasons the sure ward
of centuries of practice but in these days

when nothing can be certain is is too hard
to hope for vision that rewards the heart
no man or woman halts within their yard

distance and time will serve to keep apart
and no warm signals will come to this land
although within the messenger's fine art

instead one seeks the best that comes to hand
she is not sure but she knows that her wail
will break the hearts of those who understand

she is not waiting in the hope that a sail
will break horizon and that her lovely boy
or man is watching from the ship's fore-rail

(the kind of love that ages cannot cloy)
her soul is part of a great human choir
that best expresses desire and great joy

at knowing that there stilll remains a fire

on dune and headland

shake out the flags and let the chants arise
there's nothing that can halt our upward move
we are the righteous ones as we can prove
our power and glory reach beyond the skies
our vengeance far above you soars and flies
the greatness of our leader high above
outshines our enemy and for his love
no one will count the myriad shining lies
there is no reason that one could believe
our strength will falter and our glory fade
till we are one with empires of the past
we always will rejoice and rarely grieve
our foes will be forever in our shade
and our realm's empery will last and last

blow trumpet beat drum

there are times to grow and other times to fade
but in the middle there's a different time
when you're the centre of the big parade

doing your best your creations are well-made
you need not wait for the last bell to chime
there are times to grow and other times to fade

it takes long effort but you make the grade
the mountain's steep but you know how to climb
when you're the centre of the big parade

at times you're wild and then you are quite staid
you know the whole thing's just a pantomime
there are times to grow and other times to fade

not with great fanfare are foundations laid
it takes much effort truly to mix the lime
when you're the centre of the big parade

the sun's so hot you really long for shade
but you can't pause before you're past the prime
there are times to grow and other times to fade
when you're the centre of the big parade

natural life

name it and it forms
spring light and shadow give shape
to newer monsters

again and again
clouds above take on new forms
almost by magic

the youth who watches
imagines many places
in the most fierce hope

so long the journey
agony of bitter time
but sweet this climax