ineffectual grace

the hosts that come with ineffectual grace
to conquer places best left to their own
have not a proper sense of time and place
the hosts that come with ineffectual grace

we know that earth's an island in dark space
and all around it lies a vast unknown
the hosts that come with ineffectual grace
to conquer places best left on their own

flowers we know have raised their heads and blown
a vision comes and lets its children smile
all of our virtues rest in what's been shown
flowers we know have raised their heads and blown

the gardener knows best just what's been sown
the seeds will turn to plants in a short while
flowers we know have raised their heads and blown
a vision comes and lets its children smile

against the darkest choices we'll resile
needs that we measure are not truest needs
the urgencies we've learned fill up a pile
against the darkest choices we'll resile

if we reject the anger and the bile
we'll find that balance nominates the deeds
against the darknest choices we'll resile
needs that we measure are not truest needs

each gardener knows best how to kill weeds
the sun shines forth on every noble face
anger we learn only destruction breeds
each gardener knows best how to kill weeds

life in its usual way bubbles and bleeds
the emissaries return to their own base
each gardener knows best how to kill weeds
the sun shines forth on every noble face

and it will rain

when all the days blend in a single storm
we look outside and watch the surging cloud
there's silence here and absence of the crowd

alone we fear not being safe and warm
we march towards the sunset heads unbowed
when all the days blend in a single storm

our choices have to fall within the norm
we only do those things we are allowed
for other purposes we've not been vowed
when all the days blend in a single storm

under the eaves

swift lightning's in the corner of my eye
rain runs with haste down the slight hill
with more of it to come from the low sky

a single leaf goes floating swiftly by
the water's following the builder's will
swift lightning's in the corner of my eye

each of us moves as if we were still spry
the water flows and cannot yet stay still
with more of it to come from the low sky

smiling and waving though we're very shy
we watch the neighbours pass knowing the drill
swift lightning's in the corner of my eye

the distant hills now don't seem very high
the water's cleansing them for good or ill
with more of it to come from the low sky

rain comes as truth to wash away the lie
the momentary pain's gone in the spill
swift lightning's in the corner of my eye
with more or it to come from the low sky

a partial life

shallow this river
it can never reach the sea
dying in swampland

raised by a pleasant music

light and shade both define the afternoon
we should be calm and listen to the air
against the glass i tap the silver spoon
light and shade both define the afternoon

we think of cloud and dark as a great boon
the world after the rain will seem more fair
light and shade both define the afternoon
we should be calm and listen to the air