not for the gold

 

the one to follow is not he who knows
but the best guesser who can bear to wait
we aren't afraid to take what's on the plate
and then our leave before the early snows
we leave behind the single one who glows
and then give all the blame to urgent fate
which comes too early those who come here late
are left to sorrows and the ringing blows
that mark the time when there is no delight
except in punishing the vagrant crew
not ready yet to set departing sail
our ship's been long becalmed in southern bight
and we have got accustomed to the view
while hoping that the breeze becomes a gale

so nothing's bright

we reach the boundaries of what's allowed
and pass without perception of a mark
before necessity all heads are bowed

we think ourselves the mighty and uncowed
what choices we confront are not so stark
we reach the boundaries of what's allowed

with nothing more than normal we're endowed
so not prepared either for war or dark
before necessity all heads are bowed

we never shall accomplish what was vowed
out of the clash there shall not come a spark
we reach the boundary of what's allowed

what's gone to shrub was once all neatly ploughed
good records once were kept by every clerk
before necessity all heads are bowed

every great madness moves within the crowd
we each shall find a means to jump the shark
we reach the boundary of what's allowed
before necessity all heads are bowed

comes the dark age

 

the light betrays us into thoughts of ease
not far beyond us all has gone insane
that is the obvious and so much is plain

the proudest now are forced onto their knees
we watch the rats eat up our hoarded grain
the light betrays us into thoughts of ease

what would detain us now could never please
one who a mere survival would attain
reality's quite clear the truth is pain
the light betrays us into thoughts of ease

like a brown leaf

 

nothing to say
no one to hear
so much is dear
on the slow way
we've time to play
but far or near
there's no one here
lives out the day

echoes in stone
a warning sound
ears to the ground
we're quite alone
who would atone
not one to hound
since pound for pound
none could atone

all gone is grief
down to the wall
not one would bawl
out in relief
worker or thief
each has to fall
before the call
like a brown leaf

expectation

all times become one
out of dark no monsters come
we wait a long age
in hope of midnight rainfall
so great is our daily need

false hope

 false hope
none cope

loud cry
goodbye

all clear
not fair

no voice
rejoice