gone past the lilacs

at any time we may require some sign
of what is meant by those who speak
the way to go is never soft and fine

crawling out of the darkened mine
we know ourselves to be truly the weak
at any time we may require some sign

we straighten much more than the spine
the smallest bird will have the sharpest beak
the way to go is never soft and fine

to what dark fate we may our hearts resign
all futures from this place seem just as bleak
at any time we may require some sign

the brightest thought now turns out malign
the brave runs away faster than the meek
the way to go is is never soft and fine

thus and no other way we find the line
there's nothing here that anyone would seek
at any time we may require some sign
the way to go is never soft and fine

evolving cooperation

bilingual text for making meanings clear
reducing complex facts to simple lines
enough for those of us who read the signs
to understand that this is a lucky year
the rules are ones about the finest care
we could bestow on one who shrilly whines
on yet another who our sort maligns
we have to go where eagles never dare
a host of fireflies flashing in the dark
turn the high fields into a magic place
all of our thoughts are focused on one spot
the rules we have would puzzle any clerk
we know and can define a perfect space
but that will never be our sort and lot

lawfulness

the rules once made are easy broken
we know that others won't obey
each punishment seems just a token
the rules once made are easy broken

there's nothing that cannot be spoken
some monsters though are hard to slay
the rules once made are easy broken
we know that others won't obey

artisanship

a source of measured pride and joy
the things we do and think and make
all those resources we deploy
a source of measured pride and joy

there's nothing we so much enjoy
as knowing just what toys to take
a source of measured pride and joy
the things we do and think and make

art not magical

all elements combine in force
dimensions rise above each line
the powers seem to intertwine

all measured is by strength of horse
the oak is shattered and the pine
all elements combine in force

no one has run the entire course
nor seen the falling of the brine
each one must wait for a true sign
all elements combine in force

discovery

the drill must breach the living rock
all soil and clay cannot suffice
we cannot stop just to take stock
the drill must breach the living rock

the earth is not immune to shock
it feels the power of fire and ice
the drill must breach the living rock
all soil and clay cannot suffice

the reward of experience

choosing a trade cannot be eased
by any act we might propose
the bloom soon fades off any rose

a kind of wisdom might be teased
between the ought and the suppose
choosing a trade cannot be eased

and in the end we might be pleased
to know just how the road we close
will open to one more verbose
choosing a trade cannot be eased

no distant orbit

visitors from some unknown place
of them we've always sought for news
those powerful folk of mighty thews

we ask ourselves for honest grace
our hearts are drowning in the blues
visitors from some unknown place

against the ground our feet we brace
our bodies scream at this abuse
yet still we want the best of views
visitors from some unknown place

an older faded world

in other words in another tongue
electric sounds that easily attract
from them no significance is wrung
in other words in another tongue

a meaning is inherent in what's sung
syllables with heavy magic are packed
in other words in another tongue
electric sounds that easily attract

a well of joy

sudden this feeling
another age in the ear
echoing dances

laws of old music
no king no priest only love
beyond is silence