no distant music

 

we do not ever know the proper cause
of all the pains and sorrows that we face
the whole thing is not due to higher laws

the hungry tiger shows its shining claws
signs of great power and of a fiery grace
we do not ever know the proper cause

the noise continues without any pause
each is confined to a restricted space
the whole thing is not due to higher laws

spring will refresh us with its rains and thaws
but autumn plods on at a steady pace
we do not ever know the proper cause

one who would lead us never hems and haws
and shows us clear concern in smiling face
the whole thing is not due to higher laws

we are not made to bow before applause
as creatures of the fearful human race
we do not ever know the proper cause
the whole thing is not due to higher laws

no need for wit

 there's nothing more of us you may require
beyond the seas we've no need of your aid
there's not one thing that can withstand the fire

with you the hidden ones may well conspire
some things are best done in the evening shade
there's nothing more of us you may require

warnings will be printed on a flier
and then forgotten everything must fade
there's not one thing that can withstand the fire

the message goes to every rural shire
through many rivers your horses must wade
there's nothing more of us you may require

your hope lies in the midden and the byre
in entities that were not proper made
there's not one thing that can withstand the fire

the longest silence will confound a liar
so many want to enter the parade
there's nothing more of us you may require
there's not one thing that can withstand the fire

by long dark stream

the wind must carry sounds of ancient grief
to those who listen but can never hear
a signifier to those not so near
of what may happen to the subtle thief
or that some things are never past belief
the price of happiness may be too dear
but never so high as the cost of fear
each sigil must be clear and each word brief
what meaning's given to the flying shoe
or to the wings that lift the sluggish bird
messages may come in this cool weather
above us still the pale and cloudless blue
we wait to hear some fresh restoring word
that will give balance to phoenix feather