infinities of dust

 infinities of dust beyond plain sight
a faded colour in the morning sky
no truths are here apparent to the eye
and messages from here will never quite
make it to destinations that are right
for all of us we say this with a sigh
but since we've laid no gold or silver by
emptiness absence these make up our plight
somewhere a hoe bites hard into fresh soil
a boy will follow scattering the seed
and all will wait for the emerging green
there are no waters for the storm to roil
each action comes in answer to a need
and folk with vision not a thing have seen

crosshatching branches

crosshatching branches frame so pale a sky
warmth vanishes beneath the winter sun
we think the tropic light and heat a lie

so many make the pleasant world a sty
and from the worst of it the lucky run
crosshatching branches frame so pale a sky

in every mind the thought that flutters by
is one that in the depth of night was spun
we think the tropic light and heat a lie

duty can set both heart and mind awry
and in the coldest day our pulses stun
crosshatching branches frame so pale a sky

so little hope and truth we have to buy
that when we're finished no one shall have won
we think the tropic light and heat a lie

past caring now life dies in every eye
we know what's ended and what has been done
crosshatching branches frame so pale a sky
we think the tropic light and heat a lie

shapes of desire

shapes of desire vanish when any speak
who know the meaning of the empty place
where others keep the secrets of the face
but no one wants to either work or seek
the answers that will still defy critique
so much depends on keeping up the pace
and what desires we reject or embrace
that it is easy just to call us weak
the symbol's more than just another rag
no music means so much nor any word
is clearer than the one that's uttered now
we keep the better secrets in the bag
and do not speak of all that we have heard
the heart is silent that much we allow

all our great moments

all our great moments come to mean not much
we navigate with ease the sun and ice
words come and go but we must be concise

our hopes and happiness are of such
consistency that we must seek advice
all our great moments come to mean not much

the weak and dying cling hard to each crutch
knowing the value but lacking the price
have got no measure of what must suffice
all our great moments come to mean not much

a single element

 

a single element such as a nose
alters perceptions it is quite a shock
to learn that others know to break the lock
their innocence had been a sort of pose
to keep all present from coming to blows
but now the ship was safely back in dock
had come the time to take due proper stock
and give the winners each a simple rose
there are no visions left that are not sharp
no moments of delight left for the folk
whose urgent need is just to sing and shout
we do not cavil we let others carp
about what presence the great truth awoke
since when it happens there will be no doubt