rawest of realities

 

no share of justice left for those who seek
through thought and deed a space to dedicate
that will provide some safety for the weak

against the strong we have arrayed the meek
but if they fail someone will celebrate
no share of justice left for those who seek

some measure of contentment though the sleek
and perfumed bear none of the honest freight
that will provide some safety for the weak

we tell the true ones from the sport and freak
the latter are all barred at the last gate
no share of justice left for those who seek

in silence to endure the loudest shriek
of saddened creature mourning for its mate
that will provide some safety for the weak

each for a time will stand there on the peak
and then for everyone it will be late
no share of justice left for those who seek
that will provide some safety for the weak

the road to hope

 all that we know may turn out to be wrong
worlds may exist on the point of a pin
the truth may yet emerge from all the spin
and all the weak may call upon the strong
to lend their aid so good times will be long
and every face will bear a joyous grin
humanity will cheer us when we win
and life will be a happy space of song
a modicum of light's the thing we'll need
to make our work the object of all eyes
or let us see the glories we desire
the thought will swift convert into the deed
there will be time to rejoice in the prize
and laughter will be loud around the fire

at a world's edge

 a word when uttered takes a formal shape
each hears and turns it in their working mind
the record is engraved or set on tape
a word when uttered takes a formal shape

the sea will roar and batter at the cape
we see it and we wonder what we'll find
a word when uttered takes a formal shape
each hears and turns it in their working mind

the voice of the turtle

 no part of this may come into plain sight
we keep the secrets under lock and key
it does not matter if we're wrong or right
no part of this may come into plain sight

we blame all failures on your hate and spite
your proper place is upon your naked knee
no part of this may come into plain sight
we keep the secrets under lock and key

what none of us can ever sense or see
must be kept hidden from the normal eye
instead we'll say that everyone is free
what none of us can ever sense or see

the villain hangs from the appointed tree
like many others he would aim too high
what none of us can ever sense or see
must be kept hidden from the normal eye

we know the measures that we must apply
they are indentical in sun and rain
you think that you are being slick and sly
we know the measures that we must apply

all that you want will surely go awry
that is to us most obvious and plain
we know the measures that we must apply
they are identical in sun and rain

our stuff is smooth enough to withstand stain
our eyes are sweetly clear and our thoughts bright
we get just what we asked for in the main
our stuff is smooth enough to withstand stain

you think you are the ones who have the brain
but you are going under in the night
our stuff is smooth enough to withstand stain
our eyes are sweetly clear and our thoughts bright

the heavens themselves

politest forms obscure the ugly side
the world belongs to those who are too rich
the rest of us have only rags and pride

the truth of power cannot long be denied
only a few can scratch the hungry itch
politest forms obscure the ugly side

the ones who pay the bill can't choose the ride
and everywhere we watch out for the snitch
the rest of us have only rags and pride

whoever rules is free to be most snide
and sneer at every beggar's humble pitch
politest forms obscure the ugly side

every wise husband has paid for his bride
as for a side of beef or for a flitch
the rest of us have only rags and pride

this is plain truth we cannot just elide
the fact that we are ruled by dog and bitch
politest forms obscure the ugly side
the rest of us have only rags and pride