still day almost no breeze

reveal the trick and it seems very small
the show's what matters and it matters much
against the morning sky each tree stands tall

there are no dances at the mourning ball
the things that count slip each one from our clutch
reveal the trick and it seems very small

what pleased us once now just seems to appall
the former stalwart now leans on a crutch
against the morning sky each tree stands tall

not one may answer when we dare to call
the rabbit stays well-hidden in its hutch
reveal the trick and it seems very small

in shallow seas not much remains to trawl
and what we find we would not eat as such
against the morning sky each tree stands tall

as summer ends we watch the old leaves fall
the fading glory still responds to touch
reveal the trick and it seems very small
against the morning sky each tree stands tall

tropical wave past

dozens of lakes spring up from all the rain
from mountaintop right down to mountainside
all stands revealed that you would have us hide

the green exploding down there on the plain
speaks of a buoyant life too long denied
dozens of lakes spring up from all the rain

i look as others talk of loss and gain
the comfortable poor folks' pain deride
forgetting the true bases of their pride
dozens of lakes spring up from all the rain

malvern square

waiting for the bus in this village square
patience teaches us to know our true place
no secrets yet are hidden behind face
all things are simple in the morning air
most minor irritations seem unfair
but no one challenges our claims to space
and youth is mighty yet and full of grace
the world is big and we have time to spare
laughter is natural and many smile
to watch us waiting in the early sun
not thinking about fury yet or fuss
we have not counted yet each weary mile
nor yet grown tired of the long daily run
and this holds true i know for each of us
and so we stand there waiting for the bus
telling old jokes the short time to beguile
nothing appears here our fresh minds to stun
but easy subjects that we might discuss
or means to fill the silence for a while
that make our schooling be a source of fun
turning each negative into a plus
decades have passed and now i must recall
those days as paradise before the fall