when the waters burn

some answers teach us that we have to ask

in simple words but make the complex set

of terminologies our broadest net

the tool that’s aptest for this ample task

of abyssal exploring those who bask

on  the warm hills they who will never get

how hard the job is whose feet are not wet

they’ll not discern the world behind the mask

but on some morning when the mists depart

those who go furthest out may well discern

in the sharp moment of deepest desire

the one thing missing to complete each heart

at the right moment when the waters burn

with the clear light of universal fire

the music of new light

we strain to hear the music of new light

within each heart to tell the truth of strain

as we rebuild the castle once again

on land of hope with chances maybe  slight

indifferent between horror and delight

in a swift race to beat the winter rain

and certain that the walls won’t keep out pain

but may succeed at shelter from the night

our hope is simple out there in the cold

no one survives so if we can defend

against the dark some little may endure

to do all this we must stay sharp and bold

from the harsh start right to the tawdry end

for the one golden gift we can secure

autumnal passage

in mild november every tree seems red

these maples blazing with unhidden fires

in briefest glory as the day expires

while winter is to come with heavy tread

but not just yet and while clouds overhead

cluster like doom the birds sit on the wires

and do not worry the winds may be liars

while changing seasons don’t occasion dread

meanwhile we wonder at the changing scene

at who will be our neighbours and how plain

the day shall be with no leaves on the lawn

but nothing matters while the grass is green

and we have shelter from the chilling rain

with guarantee of sleep until the dawn

gaining honest sight

you learn the shadows do not hide all lies

nor is the truth what’s gleaming in the sun

for far too frequently the tale’s not done

when light has faded from all noonday skies

or wisdom woken in the youngest eyes

no not at all yet for each honour won

by those whose struggle is the daily run

through the hot lands there are no final lies

instead we face a constant horrid stream

of angry platitudes regarding fate

and what it means when we give up the fight

for who we are and what we dare to dream

in these dread times there can be no debate

since there’s one chance to leap into the light

where all the revolutions must begin

at night the sounds of aircraft blend with rain

lulling to sleep and then we’re in the place

where trips begin moving at steady pace

towards the boarding steps and then again

above the clouds where everything’s seen plain

in rapid motion back to present grace

with clarity we know can’t be the case

facing a truth that’s all shot through with pain

the earth still turns and darkness has to lift

at daily sunreturn we find each choice

to be like putting on a shoe or glove

a simple matter of the human gift

for stating facts in ordinary voice

once it is understood the word is love

feeling the air

so now we listen for the coming rain

deceived by breezes knowing the moist air

is filled with promise and that it must bear

more than mere fruitfulness that much is plain

as we await the changes and explain

to eager watchers just how much our care

has been to guard lest each of them despair

and hold inside the messages of pain

this is the boundary beyond which none

but foolish folk will venture without charts

yet we have come here eager to press on

being certain now that this game has been won

by each of us through mastery of arts

that gave us certainty and have not gone

behold the bright gallant

the moon is dancing in the  village square

with happy girls whose eyes reflect the stars

while older folk bite down on their cigars

and watch the smoke rise through the calm night air

this is the time of change the turning year

moving fast downward but no harsh thing mars

the splendid moment and there are no bars

to joy this night the morning’s time for fear

we do not know what sorrows still to come

will burn themselves into each youthful heart

no terrors lurk but love’s rewards are won

though elder smiles conceal the truths of glum

experience they let the young ones dart

into dark corners soon enough comes sun

mango-red leaves

leaves start to fall they’re mango-red and dry

but seem like scattered tears in the grey dawn

when i have got the paper from the lawn

and sought the new day’s fortune in the sky

with hope the auguries will not now lie

while those who sleep behind curtains still drawn

miss happy sight of trotting deer and fawn

for all the world like neighbours passing by

now this is change and magic in its way

which multiplied becomes the world’s own form

and contains us such moments we retain

in deepest memory against the day

of dearth and sorrow in the heart of storm

when we are lashed by coldest wind and rain

crossing the lawn

dry grass thin stubble in late summer’s heat

reflaring here and there to darker green

in mottled shade there’s no one to be seen

a heavy silence rules upon the street

we crave completion seek the upward beat

of ravens’ wings demand the vision keen

of tropic vultures we release our spleen

on hapless ears but then we must retreat

in each cool cave the music cannot fail

to guard against the horror of bright day

while keeping hearts in balance from the strain

of sensing that there’s more to the true tale

as yet unheralded in what you say

but for the moment we must count the gain

ordinary hearts

truth comes in the gaze of eye and ear

and is released in ways that we find best

in simple language nothing can be expressed

but in a form and fashion that is dear

to ordinary hearts now we adhere

in principle and practice to the test

of frailty in all that is confessed

by guardians who will not succumb to fear

duty requires action as well as speech

from those told off to watch the border wall

for signs of trouble coming with the spring

but courage makes us all extend our reach

makes us imagine ourselves ten feet tall

and gives our hearts and voices cause to sing