strategic error

 

you tell us only what we need to know
or what you think's our truest deepest need
but that turns out to be the cruel deed
from which you sought to guard us so
we are into the wilderness forced to go
unable to deny or to accede
and ignorant of all that was agreed
not knowing if the end comes fast or slow
we find ourselves among the many blind
who fail to understand the normal sign
of what will be a time of hope and cheer
for on our journey none may be so kind
as to provide us with the fruit and wine
that celebrate the turning of the year

long past the time

 

long past the time when we would beauty spurn
we look upon the world with sadder eyes
knowing that each has for a time their turn

the fires that come will not a person burn
but those who know all effort may despise
long past the time when we would beauty spurn

we turned the milk to butter in a churn
we thought it work though not in obvious guise
knowing that each has for a time their turn

the age we find has too soon grown so stern
that all are trapped in a thick web of lies
long past the time when we would beauty spurn

where fire has past there quickly grows the fern
the one thing that the force of man defies
knowing that each has for a time their turn

our only purpose is to teach and learn
while in the distance a lone victim cries
long past the time when we would beauty spurn
knowing that each has for a time their turn

the truest tale

 

the truest tale's that one below the fold
about the monster that lurked by the door
so ugly that the hero's blood ran cold
a thing he said that did not chance before
but more surprises yet they had in store
and many a twist and turn the country lane
until he heard not far away the train
and smelled hot fury of the burning coal
until that point he'd thought himself insane
but now he saw things were under control

long time ago the world was not so old
as it is now but we were very poor
and did not know we had been bought and sold
by those who thought the hero would not score
a victory they would never restore
all things to order that was now quite plain
but following a hero's never vain
and he at least could see the final goal
matters might have been bad then in the main
but now he saw things were under control

i know the story's been so much retold
to furnish hope and build esprit de corps
but neither matters quite so much as gold
since every helper turns out quite the whore
and hunger is the need that's at the fore
while everyone knows how to cleanse the stain
and water's not as tasty as champagne
the hero had to win not just console
there was a time when others got the gain
but now he saw things were under control

prince from all comment you must now abstain
such matters of good stories are the bane
for good sound coin it's wise to sell your soul
the hero had to overcome all pain
and struggled much for glory to obtain
but now he saw things were under control

southwest the heading

 

eventually you just run out of cays
the mainland comes upon you like a shock
even the angry ones fall on their knees

one cannot tell another what he sees
for feelings are so easy still to mock
eventually you just run out of cays

to get there you must go against the breeze
though other forces may your purpose block
even the angry ones fall on their knees

we have so many names for these blue seas
and we still cannot count them dock to dock
eventually you just run out of cays

we drank the bottle right down to the lees
but although others still would not take stock
even the angry ones fall on their knees

so soon a chance to rest and take your ease
once past the threats of shallows reef and rock
eventually you just run out of cays
even the angry ones fall on their knees

a late discovery

 

our proper kingdom's in another place
of roots and memories we're not bereft
and now too swift and hurried is the race

the world we have's no longer filled with grace
past is from present by a great sword cleft
our proper kingdom's in another place

we find we're going at too great a pace
our hearts are certain that the action's deft
and now too swift and hurried is the race

none goes before to bear the gilded mace
an object of great value and great heft
our proper kingdom's in another place

not one is certain what's the proper case
nor how to separate the warp from weft
and now too swift and hurried is the race

exhaustion is inscribed deep in each face
we've given all we can nothing is left
our proper kingdom's in another place
and now too swift and hurried is the race

the only true victory

the only true victory is that we survive
with all our weaknessess all our flaws
still we give the opposition pause

hopes and loves we smile to revive
and laugh when we read the critical clause
the only true victory is that we survive

against all odds we will arise and thrive
as the best agents of our honest cause
against all hope we'll maintain the laws
the only true victory is that we survive