plain geometry

 

if we could measure one side of a life
and find the square and take the angle right
we would not then have found the human plight
nor all the reasons for our pain and strife
nor yet just why we are with anger rife
all we would do without much true insight
is draw a simple line out into light
its edge as sharp as if it were a knife
while in the happy dark so many more
less common voices each wait for a turn
and no one knows just how to take the sign
that is the meaning of the secret door
the worth of which no one can truly earn
unless they have been taught to draw the line

raw force and ignorance

 

you never wonder what's the proper case
there are no reasons we must now take flight
all of our chickens are in their due place
and we have shown our foes that we have might
no one expects us not to be forthright
we do not have to terrify a brat
nor stamp a mountain till it is all flat
you know full well we need not more than glower
and not a one would dare create a spat
we have the will and we have all the power

there is a chance to fill the needed space
with things that could make our days sweet and bright
returning matters to their due full grace
and keeping back the pressure of old night
that is the sort of luck that should excite
even the heart of carrion bird or bat
the kind of vigour that a god begat
descending as a swan or in a shower
upon a maiden on a golden mat
we have the will and we have all the power

you do not think that you could just abase
yourself and seek to take a gentler bite
in some half-manic game of saving face
your chance of freedom is not more than slight
and your kind could not hope now to unite
against us any more than could the rat
become a gentleman with a cravat
or transform itself in a brief half-hour
into fair partner with the hungry cat
we have the will and we have all the power

prince so much happens and we must see that
your will and ours are tested in combat
you know full well how much we can devour
take care you don't become another stat
we have the will and we have all the power