winter bites

in other places no one feels the cold
while here we find out just how winter bites
bright chilly days followed by frosty nights

weather informs you that you're getting old
you think too much of funerary rites
in other places no one feels the cold

this is a story that has been much told
how not a single needed flame ignites
and none are guided by the evening lights
in other places no one feels the cold

bush fire

 

loud sounds that signal just another fire
upon the hill to turn red deepest night
you can't be sure just what was set alight
nor with what villains did the drought conspire
there's never time to think nor to enquire
you have to get out there and join the fight
and if you get a chance the record write
yet heart is taken by another shire
all you can remember's hateful red
on slopes below and moving with great speed
such matters seem to come through very clear
the symbols that you oh so lightly read
acts carried out from urgency of need
and no thought of the turning of the sphere

hope's greatest symbol

 

hope's greatest symbol is the wandering fool
the cards are dealt and we must take the hand
such matters are not taught in any school

the thread we have to take up and unspool
picking apart the fabric strand by strand
hope's greatest symbol is the wandering fool

we lure each heart to follow our strict rule
towards the outcome that no one has planned
such matters are not taught in any school

the waters slowly drip into the pool
filtered each day by white and golden sand
hope's greatest symbol is the wandering fool

a king in waiting sits upon his stool
we can't expect him to be very grand
such matters are not taught in any school

in depth of summer we find it quite cool
but others wonder just what we might stand
hope's greatest symbol is the wandering fool
such matters are not taught in any school

another shore to scan

 

load everything onto the old mule-cart
no time for any sort of record now
into the distance others lightly dart
but we have got to move by sweat of brow
on foot beside the stubborn mule and cow
until we reach the coast and the last port
to see the frigate birds soar and cavort
and hope thence swiftly to escape the ban
before from us more gold they might extort
hoping one day another shore to scan

the journey's cursed almost before we start
because we have forgot to kneel and bow
and show due courtesy as we depart
soon enough we'll be watching from the prow
and hoping for the gifts that you'll endow
to those like us of the far lesser sort
demanding that we properly comport
ourselves that each will be the proper man
knowing that we have duties of import
hoping one day another shore to scan

there's knowledge not set down upon the chart
to guide our trip and keep us safe somehow
(we learn these matters of the seaman's art)
as we all board this old and wretched scow
our pasts and names we have to disavow
unless we want our purpose to abort
upon the coast we shed our last escort
to head to where the true journey began
and risk our lives to send back true report
hoping one day another shore to scan

prince to vulgarities you might resort
since we'll do more than what these words purport
not for your pride nor for your noble clan
still less for reasons of mere play or sport
we'll risk the chance our wishes come up short
hoping one day another shore to scan

reading galleys

 i get the words in right or so i hope
there are so many things i got to say
before i sent the final proofs away

there's nothing i've been ordered to softsoap
truths have the chance to have their moral sway
i get the words in right or so i hope

another task with which i had to cope
but it seems to be much less work than play
completed and sent out without delay
i get the words in right or so i hope

all our words add up to quiet

 

all our words add up to quiet
not a thought we have of sound
light and shade here do abound
the wise man's eternal diet

sing aloud and each may listen
hour on hour of meaning froze
into place by knots and bows
while outside the grass will glisten

each reply will come uncertain
nothing's left to random chance
any fool can learn the dance
well before the final curtain