important thoughts

to count words simple matters not at all
to those for whom the word is just the thing
we wonder what's been hidden by the wall
to count words simple matters not at all

we cannot climb because we fear to fall
the valleys will reecho with the ring
to count words simple matters not at all
to those for whom the word is just the thing

Thomas Carlyle

All of us have got to smile
Who are devoted to Thomas Carlyle;
He's not very terse,
And doesn't write verse,
So we attend both to substance and style.

no movement of air

there is no place to which we might retreat
when light has turned all shadow into dust
and moisture does not penetrate the crust
of sullen earth made bitter by defeat
the tread of millions who admit they're beat
all hope and all ambition are a bust
we're left to do only those things we must
and all is wilted in the noonday heat
false cool above the shadows most invite
when we are drier than the sunlit stone
hope does not flourish in a hidden park
there will be no relief at fall of night
the world is dessicate as ancient bone
and rest does not come easy in the dark

beyond dreamland

the choices we have never turn out fair
there's always some bizarre and hateful twist
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

we give no credence to the skillful player
but keep a stone hidden in the back fist
the choices we have never turn out fair

a goblin grabs us going up the stair
yet we rejoice because we think he missed
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

naughty spirits want to grab us by the hair
and leave us feeling that we have been kissed
the choices we have never turn out fair

things we discover do much more than scare
no mortal snake it was that last night hissed
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

we wander round the hills sunburned and bare
somebody somewhere has compiled a list
the choices we have never turn out fair
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

drawing conclusions

we add all powers and they make a small sum
there's not enough to hold the future back
we do not want to subtract from this lack

the engine that destroys now starts to hum
our world will shortly be upon the rack
we add all powers and they make a small sum

drown we cannot in whisky beer or rum
we will receive no honourific plaque
the end comes rapidly with swift attack
we add all powers and they make a small sum

escaped significance

a means of understanding we won't get
from all our efforts and for all we try
the course we travel long ago was set
a means of understanding we won't get

the rule it seems is for worry and fret
yet every tear is frozen in the eye
a means of understanding we won't get
from all our efforts and for all we try

no magic we might have could let us fly
beyond the limits of our earthly place
we're doomed to live so far below the sky
no magic we might have could let us fly

a sort of truth requires that we must die
and vanish and become no more than space
no magic we might have could let us fly
beyond the limits of our earthly place

when we are done we find that we can trace
the roots of rivers to the mountain's feet
the answer that we seek shall come apace
when we are done we find that we can trace

we never shall behold an honest face
nor with the open-hearted will we meet
when we are done we find that we can trace
the roots of rivers to the mountain's feet

the ones who come we will not even greet
an answer may be given but not yet
a single ship won't signify a fleet
the ones who come we will not ever meet

each one is paralysed in their own seat
at least that's how we ought to place the bet
the ones who come we will not even greet
an answer may be given but not yet