names do not matter

we might forget the sadness of these ways
in deep engagement with the warming light
across the valley is a greater sight
the sort of thing that would our friends amaze
or in good times bring nothing else but praise
but at this moment does not seem quite right
more like a signal set off by great spite
and not a symbol of the coming days
this is a part of some more horrid fall
from what we hope was a much larger grace
to justify our actions and our crime
since none of us would dare to stand up tall
or make a claim to a much better case
and all that passes is just vulgar time

a lower form of knowledge

no one who listens notices the word
spoken by those who have forgotten speech
so further action seems yet more absurd

no greater title ever was conferred
yet now it seems so far beyond our reach
no one who listens notices the word

not even one whose choices were deterred
by sudden silence which enforced a breach
so further action seems yet more absurd

now these were matters of which we had heard
before we started well within our reach
no one who listens notices the word

that has been uttered by those who preferred
action to thought and who just had to preach
so further action seems yet more absurd

but we unbroken still see things unblurred
and have learned lessons that you did not teach
no one who listens notices the word
so further action seems yet more absurd

passion and desire

 where passion and desire blend into sense

of who each is and how each came to be

not just alone but cast out on that sea

where navigation is without pretense

of other purpose where the smooth immense

circle of waters is the referee

and gives hard answer to each hopeful plea

since when it strikes there can be no defence

those who now smile have not the least good thought

in what might pass to others for a mind

to let you know the harshness of this scrape

nor in what trammels you might soon be caught

since they prefer that you advance so blind

as to be swiftly where you can't escape