i shape the morning

 

i shape the morning with an angry fist
this light may mock my most earnest desire
but i cannot escape what you require
the choice is always submit or resist
so many names are left off the long list
of those who qualify to face the fire
for it is known who's strong and who will tire
and who was by the last hot angel kissed
the sharpest light that hits the waking eye
reminds each one of what is left to do
and we must hurry to precede the rain
such signals may come from the urgent sky
that others bring most eagerly to view
but i can tell just what is done in vain

label the messenger

 label the messenger and nothing falls
from any heights you have no sense of how
your turning birds may hear the winter calls

such beasts as tramp and steam within their stalls
may take the time to do what we'll allow
label the messenger and nothing falls

through tunnels each strange silent creature crawls
not certain what the word or whose the vow
your turning birds may hear the winter calls

flawed hero who from out of ocean hauls
some stranger being the altar to endow
label the messenger and nothing falls

from ocean bottom what our anger trawls
will sink with speed each ordinary scow
our turning birds may hear the winter calls

from light to shadow what we learn appalls
raises the blister brings sweat to the brow
label the messenger and nothing falls
your turning bird may hear the winter calls

the flag still waves

news comes and we find we are not so tough
as to accept the fates without a sigh
it is so easy now to call our bluff

we face the struggle always in the rough
signals are sent and we just pass them by
news comes and we find we are not so tough

off islands we have heard the waves rebuff
shallow the seas but we can't reach too high
it is so easy now to call our bluff

we make pretense of being hard and gruff
but cannot from your face the meaning pry
news comes and we find we are not so tough

you climb and climb but cannot leave the slough
receive the benediction but still lie
it is so easy now to call our bluff

between the tides we learn to say enough
our words are honest though our hearts are wry
news comes and we find we are not so tough
it is so easy now to call our bluff