bitter lemons

so many long to have a golden king

for certainties amid the roil and noise

and yet won't listen when the sweet doves sing

 

in urgent times  there is nothing to bring

that will secure against what most annoys

so many long to have a golden king

 

as being for now the most important thing

to guarantee the safety of their joys

and yet won't listen when the sweet doves sing

 

of better hours when they were on the wing

and deadly forces were not kept as toys

so many long to have a golden king

 

who do not wish their liberty to fling

so cavalierly with such little poise

and yet won't listen when the sweet doves sing

 

since all the world is trapped inside one ring

and none can tell just what the rest enjoys

so many long to have a golden king

and yet won't listen when the sweet doves sing