a tiny epiphany

to wake up to grey skies and gentle rain
watching the green renew and revive
on such a morning things are never plain
to wake up to grey skies and gentle rain

love that is real endures the stabbing pain
there's joy enough in simply being alive
to wake up to grey skies and gentle rain
watching the green renew and revive

let this be true

when the sky weeps there is no shame
we know what matters and we smile
life shall rejoice this little while

the things that matter have a name
from every setback we'll resile
when the sky weeps there is no shame

treat every venture as a game
and laugh as you pass every mile
naught matters more than form and style
when the sky weeps there is no shame

through flood through fire

changing the angle doesn't change the fact
what's there is not what we might desire
we play the fool but cannot play the lyre
the things to show are plain caution and tact
had we the entities that we had lacked
we might have let matters go up on the pyre
but though flames go high and heat higher
with doubts and indecision we've been racked
let every choice come down to this plain hope
we aren't afraid of what has to be done
the world exists for needs that are not ours
we have to climb till we are out of rope
take what we can from failing light of sun
and hope that all we want is in our powers

art and reality

art and reality may never blend
too much to know and more to risk
the story never ought to end
art and reality may never blend

we know the tendency and trend
our outlook is to be more brisk
art and reality may never blend
too much to know and more to risk

what can be certified

a look outside may still deceive the eye
we aren't as sure of what we see and know
the world at times just seems to be a lie

at times we just have to break down and cry
so many things to do and far to go
a look outside may still deceive the eye

into our hearts the powers that be will pry
and then they'll take the chance to laugh and crow
the world at times just seems to be a lie

we might as well just watch things passing by
kick back our feet and just enjoy the show
a look outside may still deceive the eye

our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are wry
we bend our necks and wait the fatal blow
the world at times just seems to be a lie

let others choose to let their joy just die
we won't go fast we'll learn to take it slow
a look outside may still deceive the eye
the world at times just seems to be a lie

piety and wit

the word once written still must suffer change
alter a letter and you've altered sense
the tamest dog may still acquire the mange
the word once written still must suffer change

it's not that thought will not the mind derange
but that on paper there is no pretence
the word once written still must suffer change
alter a letter and you've altered sense

so what

across the distance comes the latest news
we learn those things we wish had all been lies
none of our masters has the brains or thews
across the distance comes the latest news

the truth is more than narrow canvassed views
the world is real to more than our blank eyes
across the distance comes the latest news
we learn those things we wish had all been lies

in no alternative

the choices come to those who care
to do great deeds or else not dare
experience the deeps of life
or else give up in face of strife
laws that we write are still the rule
who flouts them will be shown a fool
a house built on the living rock
may tumble at the quake's first shock
but not to live's the great mistake
too long we sleep to short we wake
to act may seem a foolish thing
but every one's a queen or king
who knowing that the choice is hard
still goes until the way is barred
we come from somewhere in the dark
we know that round us the dogs bark
still what we have is what we've got
we bless or blight the living spot
out in the dark we'll have to go
dreams of a heaven or of woe
serve to distract us from our task
to do all that our minds can ask
we make our mark in stone or clay
and then we go the general way
others will come to take our place
to reach success or to disgrace
the hopes that others on their work
had set they try or else they shirk
and that's our job that is our part
we know the way we have the heart
let others scoff we know the road
and laugh when we take on the load