Mango Walk

but may not leave this hot and bloody field

there's no way forward and return is barred

all faces that were fresh are old and marred

but minds are focused and all hearts are steeled

we find that choices now have all turned hard

yet cannot give the past our fond regard

for what was warm and free is now congealed

there's no way forward and return is barred

to those who are obliged to stand on guard

awaiting a strong word to be revealed

we find that choices now have all turned hard

our praises won't be sung by any bard

at least our fate will not be long concealed

there's no way forward and return is barred

no option then but play the final card

take up our stand and show we will not yield

we find that choices now have all turned hard

there's no way forward and return is barred

no resolution ever fell so flat

as this decree though most sincerely meant

to bring all to their senses and repent

their every crime laid out upon the mat

as subjects proper for our daily chat

those matters upon which no true consent

has been achieved and on which we were lent

not enough time and oh well that’s that

when we have signaled that the end is come

to all deception we receive no prize

but only grievances a mighty store

since at the last we find that no one’s dumb

who comes beneath the censure of our eyes

but each believes they truly know the score

at one more fading of the foolish light

with full rejoicing that you did not die

tomorrow sun will rise on the same sky

and yours will be the task to get things right

now say good riddance to the year gone by

do not dwell long on how it seemed to fly

right past your thought and your diminished might

with full rejoicing that you did not die

get on your feet and led the hard words lie

just keep in mind that things could be less bright

now say good riddance to the year gone by

and get on with the stuff you can't deny

the tasks the pile up and the work not slight

with full rejoicing that you did not die

in dreamless sleep where all thought had run dry

you live for now don't rush the longest night

now say good riddance to the year gone by

with full rejoicing that you did not die

and watch the clouds observe each changing shape

while looking upward with your mouth agape

allow the world to go by on the run

there are so many tasks that must be done

but not today there's time for one escape

from sordid duty take some rest and drape

your body on the bench just have some fun

soon you'll encounter the familiar task

hear the old words and even older lies

plunge back into the service of the known

to answer all the questions that they ask

hope to awaken light behind fresh eyes

and heal the causes of the longest groan

just before nightfall when the milky light

seems full of portents while your straining sight

catches some glimpse of homing bird seen plain

at the right moment when the skies attain

that perfect colour fading fast from bright

just north of where begins the rule of night

to make us sigh now that is what we gain

here in the kingdom where no fools may rule

there is contentment earned at a high cost

by those of us who know not what we pay

nor understand the lessons of this school

until we find the gifts we thought long lost

and on a sudden learn we're on the way

of music in the modulated touch

over the distance we have gained so much

crossing great waters at a single bound

while all the pains of the old hurt were drowned

and honour met  just one step past the clutch

of oldest terrors we learn truth is such

a mighty gift yet one we may expound

our hope for progress turns right back to shame

when out of darkness we find naught but force

to hold us back and keep us from our right

when what is needed is but one bright flame

to serve as guide to set us back on course

reminding hearts that not all is in night

of what was said before we turned for home

about the meanings both of choice and change

and what it means when we begin to roam

beyond the bounds of our accepted world

to those domains now hidden in the dark

where our free banners may at last unfurled

be flown above our heads as the great mark

of where we stand and what we mean to hold

upon the heights the point of what we do

when we have moved from warmth into the cold

and made our old place into something new

the truth of this is said without alarm

but your reply is what must give it charm

nor any spell to outdo normal pluck

still in the end we all are in the shit

you might expect things would ease up a bit

but what you find is that your feet are stuck

there is no magic that can outpace wit

but not a single line of yours will hit

just where you want so you are out of luck

still in the end we all are in the shit

not one of us is ever quite legit

as all our best hopes end up in the muck

there is no magic that can outpace wit

we get a win our thoughts begin to flit

towards good chance if things don't go amuck

still in the end we all are in the shit

no matter what we do despite our grit

the laws of nature just don't give a fuck

there is no magic that can outpace wit

still in the end we all are in the shit

it bids us rest and dream of milky light

of other places where with fresher sight

the follies of the seasons slower creep

may well be judged by those who always keep

a weather eye for things to come out right

as safe from mortal horror that's the plight

of one who knows just what hides down in sleep

there's better clarity in the grey dawn

a different heat another sort of life

to be confronted choices to be met

one fearful terrapin seen on the lawn

draws in its head for fear of hurt or strife

but then goes on with no thought or regret

your choices are not made out of true hope

that honour will be gained beyond despair

in this long war you're not that kind of dope

to think that outcomes must turn out quite fair

the action that you take is most precise

and never needs return for second slice

besides you know to go against the grain

would give us all some reason to complain

instead you give us all an even hand

you make things honest open just and plain

our wishes start and finish with our land

your kindness teaches us that we must cope

when we had thought the case was past repair

taking our feet up the long dismal slope

unto the place where the long view is clear

where vision serves in place of good advice

and we may learn just what is the true price

that we have paid for knowledge not arcane

given the sorrows of a long campaign

while you provide us with words soft and bland

and music of a gentle plaintive strain

our wishes start and finish with our land

your words inform that we are out of rope

and at cliff's edge looking out on the air

but you're not giving us lies or soft-soap

and we have had the full time to prepare

the options are no tossing of the dice

and all our preparations will suffice

you have not sent us out into the rain

uncovered nor need we ever explain

just why we have to make our final stand

for simple good that's not measured in gain

our wishes start and finish with our land

prince you announce our good you will attain

and all our enemies you shall constrain

such words are wondrous and such hopes are grand

but princes always were the people's bane

our wishes start and finish with our land