image of unlight

eyes don't quite focus on the distant grey
it takes me time to hear the telephone
there is no echo going through the bone
and no one out there with one thing to say
the promise and the hope of rain this day
for many sins of summer can't atone
i sit here grimly feeling quite alone
unable for the now to work or play
words form themselves but swiftly disappear
i see no swallows swoop above the leaves
nor anyone who at this time stands tall
there's no constraint nor sad occasion drear
but a sharp feeling that the world still grieves
and that we're standing at the final wall

all our dealings

a sort of greyness making gentler light
appears with rain and soothes my sleepy soul
there's a flag flapping somewhere on its pole
we've a long way to go till we reach night
there's more to know than what fits into sight
each one's a mouse timid inside its hole
while down the hillside giant boulders roll
these are the symbols of some kind of might
rain holds us in our place and makes us smile
at memories that tell us who we've been
that take us back that speak of journeys far
feet start to ache at thoughts of every mile
eyes now must weep at thought of what we've seen
but heart leap up for knowing who we are

to see the land redeemed

we fade from realms of light into no place
where there are never thoughts of any woe
a place where we are not allowed to know
just what the signal is behind each face
no horse nor foot to enter in the race
but there is time for something new to grow
we want to move but our minds are too slow
some other entity must set the pace
but each of us confronts the stars alone
we are the winners and the losers sure
tripped up right at the border of the known
with hearts that are at once firm and impure
whatever happens we have crossed the line
not knowing whether others note the sign

absent all brilliance

 

a sort of music underlies our hope
we do not have to drag it very far
our actions won't its quiet beauty mar
nor will it play out to the end our rope
there's not an echo nor another trope
we are not guided by a glinting star
yet to safe harbour there is never bar
while highest mountain has a gentle slope
a moment in between the sky and sea
too soon for sunset and still far from dark
we hear the sounds that indicate our home
there's stretching shadow of familiar tree
the open field becomes a kind of park
tomorrow will have time enough to roam

around the corner

 

not wide the door
narrow the path
we ask for more
but not for wrath
there's some in store
no board but lath
right at the core
the aftermath

a shallow pool
beneath the tree
the weather cool
the moment free
a needed tool
we have to see
now time to school
who pays the fee

a moment's rain
relieves no curse
a ninny's brain
is none the worse
we find this plain
an empty purse
a single stain
but rhyming verse

expect no flame
but watch for light
this is no game
you've got it right
a moment's shame
an hours delight
ask for a name
you have a fight

the river's near
but now it's dark
the cost not dear
we leave no mark
those at the rear
to them we hark
what they can bear
is not so stark

along the road
commuters drive
each with a load
that must arrive
no simple code
to gain the hive
the horse one rode
can't stay alive

no forest now
the houses spread
a single vow
before you're dead
don't worry how
the thing is read
a rusted plough
is dull and red

against the wall
the laggards stand
they hear no call
they raise no hand
not standing tall
without command
we see them fall
the ragged band

what we believe
is almost true
you must deceive
by dimmer hue
if we receive
a morning blue
you might achieve
a symbol new

shadow of time
at edge of sight
to squeeze a lime
won't make it right
the steady climb
ends in a fright
no honest crime
that is our plight

a time to dance
but not to speak
a single glance
may turn you weak
the troops advance
but you won't seek
the slimmest chance
to cross the creek

i'll write no lies
but you'll proclaim
up to the skies
that there's no shame
in all the spies
who play this game
their empty eyes
fill with a flame

accept that paws
can cross each line
there is no cause
we'd call divine
the masters' tawse
drives to the mine
these are the laws
we'll have the wine

we have to choose
you know the odds
but win or lose
we'll feel the rods
no time for booze
for thirsty bods
out of the ooze
we make our gods

the times aren't hard
but we sense threat
roads are not barred
no one will vet
to see what's marred
no cause to fret
we've got the card
the path's still wet

there's not one way
back to the heart
through all the grey
we find each part
of all we'll say
right from the start
the words won't fray
that's the true art

what you require
is that we break
the weight of ire
make no mistake
just to aspire
to more than fake
will raise a fire
beside the lake

choices are rough
the hour's not done
there's not enough
to choose or shun
a single cough
not cause to run
be weak or tough
but greet the sun

a simple illusion

 the mind's a thing that we can easy shock
we see a world but do not know so much
for what we think is water may be rock

we have the key but cannot see the lock
the rabbit crouches in its tiny hutch
the mind's a thing that we can easy shock

we have to pause a moment and take stock
of all our yesterdays and matters such
for what we think is water may be rock

we place our hearts and thoughts in deepest hock
yet what we want remains out of our clutch
the mind's a thing that we can easy shock

not one's unique we all are in the flock
identity's not even a weak crutch
for what we think is water may be rock

you think it simple just to jeer and mock
but one false word shows that you're out of touch
the mind's a thing that we can easy shock
for what we think is water may be rock

less than a mile

 

this is the last long curve the final climb
up the dark hillside to the mountaintop
a moment's pause not enough time to stop
the distance measured by the starting time
of musical cicadas not a chime
of distant bells urging the feet to hop
small light upon this road and no rum-shop
just scent of allspice and of flowers of lime
from the switchback i see the distant lights
down on the lowland and the signs of ships
far out at sea set on their busy track
but there's no time to take in all these sights
with thought of tea to wet and warm my lips
and the encroaching darkness at my back

above i watch a starry dance

 

on each straight back so much has been bestowed
there's much to say but silence seems the best
around the hillside i see there's more road

the watchful rooster at midnight has crowed
but there's no dawn nor any place to rest
on each straight back so much has been bestowed

i've left behind the lush green lawns fresh mowed
to make this journey at my own behest
around the hillside i see there's more road

upon these mountains it has never snowed
still here in these green islands of the blest
on each straight back so much has been bestowed

the blinking lights are a quite open code
but knowing it is never for the best
around the hillside i see there's more road

so many miles before my own abode
my body's tired my mind still full of zest
on each straight back so much has been bestowed
around the hillside i see there's more road

up melrose hill

 no one now should speak
silence rules the icy stars
cloud moves below them

pilgrim or bandit
alone with his whirling thoughts
mirrors this night sky

i am no brute beast
nor a wise divinity
only lone human

here in long summer
wandering ever higher
towards better hope

significant satori

 

across the hills the young goats lightly prance
but far below i see the black stream glide
i'm here alone there's no one at my side
the world is caught preparing its next dance
cloud throws me into a sort of light trance
a single sunbeam on the swamp will slide
as distantly a ship sails with the tide
i cannot tell it's my turn to advance
sunlight explodes if i just play my part
a better law must govern what is shown
we speak but once and yet we have been heard
all this i carry in my living heart
now further in from the magic unknown
but bound to listen for the honest word