light and shade

 

hope comes with duller colours and with rain
the steady drizzle soothes the aching heart
we pause and then again we have to start
some matters are best stated clear and plain
each listens to a distant warming strain
seeking to solve all problems by true art
and hit the bullseye each time with the dart
our world's much more than agony and pain
growth happens and we need to train and guide
each shoot to take its proper shining place
in the rich garden of the living mind
not to allow a bright blossom to hide
but lift to the eye its full glowing face
and make much richer all of humankind

west of black river

 

let each small gift become a larger sign
of what we hope and what we have to know
peace falls at last on both sides of the line

the shore is cleansed each day by foamy brine
trees take their shape from steady winds that blow
let each small gift become a larger sign

we watch the river and the sea entwine
waters move swiftly and then they move slow
peace falls at last on both sides of the line

the sand that forms the beach is sugar-fine
and in the sunset almost seems to glow
let each small gift become a larger sign

the reef ahead seems like a stony spine
and still the tides will steady ebb and flow
peace falls at last on both sides of the line

in the warm night we slowly sip our wine
and when time comes we will arise and go
let each small gift become a larger sign
peace falls at last on both sides of the line

bar the shouting

you make the trip knowing how it will end
but choices do not matter in this light
behind their faces each has to pretend

we get some things and others we must send
and then forget them when they're out of sight
you make the trip knowing how it will end

the road's not straight and hell is round the bend
our passengers are now half-dead with fright
behind their faces each has to pretend

we borrow glory but you've cannot lend
us one more thing than we would have of right
you make the trip knowing how it will end

if we attack you cannot just defend
you can't match strokes and that is the worst plight
behind their faces each has to pretend

what has been broken you can never mend
nor can you find an answer in the night
you make the trip knowing how it will end
behind their faces each has to pretend