painful decisions

 

the choice to go or not to go's absurd
a road was mapped long before we were born
we must walk forward with a joyful word

nothing will happen that we won't have heard
this drizzle makes the whole place seem forlorn
the choice to go or not to go's absurd

we think the one who reads is just a nerd
but backs are bent and hands have long been worn
we must walk forward with a joyful word

the thunderclap tells us what has occurred
we hear a car alarm annoying horn
the choice to go or not to go's absurd

whatever we might do has been inferred
when we arrive we see they've reaped the corn
we must walk forward with a joyful word

this egg belongs to no sharp-seeing bird
a little corner from the world's been torn
the choice to go or not to go's absurd
we must walk forward with a joyful word

definition of order

 

who waiting for the end will hear the rain
not as a drumbeat but a kinder sound
will watch it soak into the thirsty ground
and for that moment forget all the pain
flowing to creek to river then to main
we send the stories that we have not found
measuring pleasure by the ounce and pound
life is a matter of no loss nor gain
cobweb that stretches twixt the house and fence
glistens with raindrops that attract the eye
but having done so all its cause is lost
we send the hungry creature further hence
treating it as we would a shill or spy
and thinking only of the daily cost

house name

 we find the empire doesn't end at once
its memories hold on for many years
it isn't truly there but still some dunce
for its past glory sheds some weighty tears
we see the noble houses on their hills
and watch the servants hidden at the back
the final remnants of imperious wills
the ones who run at first thought of attack
the meaning of the name first seen in rain
is horror sorrow and the end of hope
but now it has become historic pain
and the last owner's hiding from the rope
the one who knows had left the past behind
casting grim memory far out of mind
i should know better but i fit the name
into a different setting of the past
so that in future i shall feel some shame
and the dull image into garbage cast
rule of the self becomes the better plan
but we are human right down to the bone
we have to make a stand woman or man
and work together lest we die alone
thousands of miles that now are in between
don't dim the signal nor deface the word
but know i understand just what they mean
and that is something that can't be unheard
the road past huts and houses still may wind
but what we think of may now be more kind

from emesa to ctesiphon

 

the mode of failure now seems all too clear
beyond the wall the masses cannot wait
a little rain may serve to cleanse the air

empires arise when golden monsters dare
lay out the claim they've been chosen by fate
the mode of failure now seems all too clear

a time of charity means words to spare
but they don't add to much upon a plate
a little rain may serve to cleanse the air

riding a mule a stallion or a mare
will do to survey the largest estate
the mode of failure now seems all too clear

our rulers worry about what to wear
to awe us when they enter through the gate
a little rain will serve to cleanse the air

our task in the new order is to stare
while dragons pass us by with heads held straight
the mode of failure now seems all too clear
a little rain will serve to cleanse the air

echoes of summer

 

we see the changes and we realise
our lives will matter in some measured way
there's something here that may each heart surprise
we see the changes and we realise

the ones who fail we should not now despise
we are not beings of some different clay
we see the changes and we realise
our lives will matter in some measured way

if we could make the choice to go or stay
we would not hesitate or so we think
there's little that we'd have to ask or say
if we could make the choice to go or stay

we know we have the answer come what may
and so we halt and look over the brink
if we could make the choice to go or stay
we would not hesitate or so we think

the noblest answer is a nod or wink
look up and see us higher than a bird
we look below and watch the glasses clink
the noblest answer is a nod or wink

it's never time to pause and have a drink
we've listened but we've never truly heard
the noblest answer is a nod or wink
look up and see us higher than a bird

what we have chosen you have not preferred
but either way we have to take the chance
we're caught between the honest and absurd
what we have chosen you have not preferred

the answer comes without a better word
we seek to know all things now in advance
what we have chosen you have not preferred
but either way we have to take the chance

out in the fields no youngsters left to prance
we reach conclusions by a swift surmise
these are the times when we must take our stance
out in the fields no youngsters left to prance

we play the music for the longer dance
the truth we see's not hidden from your eyes
out in the fields no youngsters left to prance
we reach conclusions by a swift surmise

classical wisdoms

 

all institution
requires we measure duly
where each must belong

plato will tell us
that only philosophers
know truly to rule

aristotle warns
the common folk hate the rich
and vice versa

master meng knows that
the king must serve the people
or hang by his neck

ancient thinkers
understanding a story
missing the picture

the fascist tide

 speaker of falsehoods claiming they are true
some ugly thoughts stand revealed in the light
monstrosities lumbering out of night
stupidities and errors brought to view
with idiots claiming that they're brand new
and that we ought to revel in the sight
of liars rising up to state they're right
saying shit's needed to flavour the stew
things that belong deep buried in the grave
are brought back up with emphasis and praise
we're just supposed to cheer on each old lie
call fools and thugs truly honest and brave
the stinking banners of old death upraise
and if we can't stand nonsense then just die

another argo

 

the voyage ends when we have found a name
before the mast not one of us could sail
into the sky at once empty and pale

we did not do the deed for wealth or fame
but to revive a life now long grown stale
the voyage ends when we have found a name

the art we learn is just how not to blame
the absent gods for doldrums or for gale
but to accept that all the seas must fail
the voyage ends when we have found a name