nothing to see

 the rules are clear
we have no choice
there's no fresh air
no ringing voice
we have to care
but not rejoice

allow some thought
of what we need
twixt is and ought
the monsters breed
all goes for naught
when giants feed

in the deep dark
we see no stars
but still may mark
the sounds of cars
no dogs may bark
but there are jars

allow each heart
to have its say
play no loud part
but smile with day
your simple art
shows us the way

the rules are hard
and cause great pain
each road's now barred
but there's no rain
we've no regard
for those who strain

allow each mind
to search the earth
bring humankind
to better birth
teach dumb and blind
the springs of mirth

no rules are just
no gods will bless
the ones who must
achieve success
and yet their trust
was no excess

permit the true
to end their task
give what is due
without a mask
accept the new
and do not ask

life's wayang play

 

what memories are ruffled by the breeze
when we are least concerned with old regret
and looking upwards see in silhouette
against the rosy sky the still-dark trees
those who are standing and those on their knees
prepare to face the world with faces set
and yet they find themselves caught in the net
all become victims of the oldest wheeze
we look but cannot see the morning birds
the sun illuminates not one pale cloud
and the clear air is cold as well as dry
still we seek for the better nobler words
we'll dare to speak the truest names aloud
and hope for kindness coming from the sky

lessons of history

when we've been made to speak only what's true
the shadows of the past will still hang cold
and heavy on the shoulders of the bold

the morning sun brings all things into view
but we cannot believe all that we're told
when we've been made to speak only what's true

the face we see shows a dishonest hue
the fact is clear it's really far too old
and much is hidden now in each deep fold
when we've been made to speak only what's true

capitalism gone mad

 

news comes of death and fear and of great pain
we've got a world where crises never cease
and all that drives us now is hope of gain

we should not ask the nature of that stain
that sinks into the pavement unlike grease
news comes of death and fear and of great pain

we learn the facts and we learn them all plain
the terrors come without pause or surcease
and all that drives us now is hope of gain

there'll be no healing here from gentle rain
we may have come to ending of our lease
news comes of death and fear and of great pain

not one hand rises our own to sustain
no one will come our hearts and eyes to please
and all that drives us now is hope of gain

we're punished if we go against the grain
never again may we have rest or ease
news comes of death and fear and of great pain
and all that drives us now is hope of gain

from field to fold

 

millennia of storms create a path
from gentle curve between forested hills
down to the cliff face where the water spills

the gully is the storm's true aftermath
determined flouter of mere human wills
millennia of storms create a path

we're never there when nature in her wrath
the little mice and tiny lizards kills
on rocks and trees that are her grinding mills
millennia of storms create a path

all-island rain

 

after a while i know the rain won't pause
so i must trudge on through the dark and wet
to get home safely is my only cause

i've always been afraid of rod or tawse
but with one purpose i am fairly set
after a while i know the rain won't pause

closing my book on subordinate clause
i look at the last street-light with regret
to get home safely is my only cause

no monsters wait to take me in their maws
until i reach my door i won't be met
after a while i know the rain won't pause

there are no tigers with their long sharp claws
in the dark forests that i half-forget
to get home safely is my only cause

i am obedient to the lesser laws
if i should drown there's not one who would fret
after a while i know the rain won't pause
to get home safely is my only cause