no answer comes from shadow in the dawn
the morning light today is weak and pale
we see the waning year begin to fail
all seems so dull on driveway and lawn
we bring ourselves to understand the scale
no answer comes from shadow in the dawn
a different sort of picture might be drawn
when i've gone out to retrieve the day's mail
and obtained repetition of old tale
no answer comes from shadow in the dawn
there's always choice to be happy or glum
to do just one task or to do much more
but no one bothers to add up the sum
there's no gigantic parent keeping score
once we depart there is no other shore
as one thing ends no other need begin
the way you live's the only way to win
no reason though to go upon the bum
but to do what will make it not a bore
till we return to where we started from
with all achieved and no need to be sore
avoiding all the things that we abhor
and keeping to a mininum the spin
the way you live's the only way to win
the world we want is not a horrid slum
but horrors are too many to ignore
still no reality can make us numb
or keep us from the things that we adore
as long as we know what we're aching for
and what we do's better than where we've been
the way you live's the only way to win
to master life's worth far more than a crumb
to do our work and then pass through the door
to the smart rhythm of a lively drum
having done nothing that we could deplore
but borne our load and wielded a good oar
to face the last dead halt without chagrin
the way you live's the only way to win
there is good reason not to give a name
to all the harms about which we could read
some things deserve to have but little fame
what value lies inherent in the deed
is not a matter about which we plead
since you and others may with right complain
that any feeling that we show we feign
but we intend that you have a fair shake
as fortune may not swiftly come again
our best approach should not be a mistake
there was a time when we valued acclaim
above the elements of any creed
and did not ever want to hide in shame
when facing the explorer on his steed
but now we're driven by the deepest need
to halt the bastard and to seize the rein
and let him then fall limply to the plain
as sacrifice to the devouring snake
that way we can avoid a long hard pain
our best approach should not be a mistake
sometimes we have to accept all the blame
for letting others get away with greed
since we have got some honour to proclaim
and no desire to injure or mislead
we want to move things at the proper speed
and not on good ambitions set a brake
you will discover that we've taken heed
our best approach should not be a mistake
prince you appear to have at last decreed
an end to waiting the way to succeed
is not to pause because the view's opaque
nor let the sense of urgency stampede
our hearts into some ultimate misdeed
our best approach should not be a mistake
upon this journey anyone can join
with those who venture far beyond the line
across oceans through valleys serpentine
for wages that are paid in more than coin
the sort of reward no thief could purloin
a kind of surety that won't decline
in value or in meaning that is fine
in places where the boundaries adjoin
no one who chooses can deny their stake
in answers given in an honest mode
by those who knowingly have cut the cord
not out of anger but for freedom's sake
and taken their worn hearts out on the road
letting all resentments go by the board
this is red earth we can't remove the stain
no matter time spent on the washing board
our solemn purpose goes against the grain
of what we wanted remade or restored
by concrete action after rapid thought
since there's so much that we cannot afford
unless by our own efforts it's been wrought
before the coming of the hoped-for storm
that consummation which we have long sought
but to the tale the truth is there's no form
in which we can present the honest case
that does not quickly move far from the norm
we seek the recognition in each face
to let us know that we have made it safe
into the country of our dwelling place
against so many bonds we have to chafe
to find ourselves at the start of the road
with better hope than has the homeless waif
who too soon finds she cannot read the code
although it's written in an ink so black
that any who could reach a sure abode
would hope that none could see the path or track
nor be led onward by a clever nose
since it is never easy to turn back
once you have set upon the way of those
who give you hope that you can play a rôle
that sets you higher than your erstwhile foes
in early morning you won't see a soul
who has no purpose just like yours to keep
and isn't aiming at a similar goal
the ones who pose the greatest danger sleep
and only you are left to walk so far
and venture into oceans as deep
and into countries that are as bizarre
as any that are dreamt by those that smoke
from the green pipe or use the fat cigar
but that hard purpose serves as a mere cloak
over the shape of hopes that no undue
choices will lead to renewal of yoke
upon the one who merely seeks to view
the many realms that come from joyful art
old as mankind but each life will renew
the hope that's proper to each human heart
and keeps it light and ready still to glow
when each of us will play our honest part
in doing more than putting on a show
that will reward most at the start of night
and thus ensure that each who plays may go
forward with certainty into the light
