a shadow measured

 

a shadow measured changes over time
all of our hearts are filled with blood and thought
but in the end the whole thing counts for naught
not one will hear the morning bells sweet chime
in this cold place nor in a warmer clime
there's nothing that we want that has been caught
but we ourselves know full well we are bought
although our feet are not best for this climb
the noontime shadows now are never short
and summer's pain is but a distant dream
of pavements on which only fools would walk
such things as these no longer have import
instead we watch with hunger the bright gleam
and never notice the high watching hawk

wait for the next tide

the ship we sail on lacks engine and mast
it moves on tides that have no human name
on an eternal ocean each is cast
with hardly knowledge of their sire or dame
but certain plain reality's a game
there's only so far anyone could ride
this monster that no normal hand could tame
still each of us must wait for the next tide

on land or sea we fear the sudden blast
that shakes our feelings from their normal frame
knowing that the next blow could be the last
things never change but they are not the same
as when our forebears fought and overcame
for slowly into history they slide
and no one wants to bear the heavy blame
still each of us must wait for the next tide

the journey's made soon be it slow or fast
though each is different each has but one aim
the future far too quickly becomes past
and each their sad preceders will defame
not caring once just what the earnest claim
had been nor why it was so swift denied
not one of us would think our reasons lame
still each of us must wait for the next tide

prince as the keeper of the brightest flame
you know the things that we still want to hide
and all the penalties of sudden fame
still each of us must wait for the next tide

not many answers

 

there are not many answers in this tale
my heart and mind are not in full accord
the core of things is not in any hoard

outside the wind has made the trees seem pale
we don't know where the squirrels' nuts are stored
there are not many answers in this tale

no one could ever a guarded post assail
nor find the raging river's only ford
as we might learn the ox is truly gored
there are not many answers in this tale

born just to lose

 

there's never proper ending for the tale
of how i got here though it well begin
for i am absolutely made of fail

hammer will smash the thumb and not the nail
a razor's edge will prove it's far too thin
there's never proper ending for the tale

only the dizzy look over the rail
our remains will be cast into the bin
for i am absolutely made of fail

i'd get there faster if i were a snail
or other beings of that tiny kin
there's never proper ending for the tale

i thought that i heard a most friendly hail
my heart was pierced by a large sharp tent-pin
for i am absolutely made of fail

it does not matter what the scope or scale
i'm not the one's been chosen for the win
there's never proper ending for the tale
for i am absolutely made of fail