the true republic

the true republic lies beneath the sea

a single bound will take you straightway there

it’s our first homeland where we were born free

 

look where the master will not let you see

far past the fictive kingdoms of the air

the true republic lies beneath the sea

 

no effort’s needed for each one to flee

just leave right now and be at ease from care

it’s our first homeland where we were born free

 

where we learnt justice at our mother’s knee

return’ so easy we just have to dare

the true republic lies beneath the sea

 

not far at all we note the mango tree

the purple bloom the old man on his chair

it’s our first homeland where we were born free

 

the place of order where we long to be

and it is simple to end the affair

the true republic lies beneath the sea

it’s our first homeland where we were born free

the seeking eye

the seeking eye that even seems to speak

of urgent matters at an early time

is the best weapon wielded by the weak

 

not in the option given to the meek

to keep heads lowered as the sweet bells chime

the seeking eye that even seems to speak

 

looks through a wall apparently unique

but hidden in its recesses and grime

is the best weapon wielded by the weak

 

a simple tool not modern nor antique

whose users have come under in their prime

the seeking eye that even seems to speak

 

and not been frighted they are past critique

able to know just where in the long climb

is the best weapon wielded by the weak

 

those who are able find they are to peek

in hidden places for the true sublime

the seeking eye that even seems to speak

is the best weapon wielded by the weak

o povo é quem mais ordena

no one this day shall say they stood aloof

when the new rose first came into fresh flower

and none dared crush the bloom beneath a hoof

 

we would have faced a certain harsh reproof

no long before but all changed in an hour

no one this day shall say they stood aloof

 

nor that the entire fabric warp and woof

had stayed the same new blossom in each bower

and none dared crush the bloom beneath a hoof

 

for fear of learning just how great the goof

would harm the doer dread would them devour

no one this day shall say they stood aloof

 

the acts are real we see that there’s no spoof

of change or meaning the old world we scour

and none dared crush the bloom beneath a hoof

 

today we saw the crowds from every roof

acclaim as honour took the seat of power

no one this day shall say they stood aloof

and none dared crush the bloom beneath a hoof

the mistress of wit

 

not only sounds but senses we require

to build the worlds in which our hearts will fit

all meanings in the end must add to fire

 

in order that we see that those who hire

the truth in stages do not crimes commit

not only sounds but senses we require

 

to bring our vision to a place that’s higher

beyond the limits where the foolish sit

all meanings in the end must add to fire

 

when what comes after means we must retire

from all our options while the times permit

not only sounds but senses we require

 

for matters that will lead all to aspire

far past the normal so that atoms split

all meanings in the end must add to to fire

 

that is the certainty life is no liar

she’s the true joker the mistress of wit

not only sounds but senses we require

all meanings in the end must add to fire

april

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

there’s weight of dust and water in the air

all eyes are taken by the sudden green

 

the change of seasons never comes quite clean

but winter’s going with one sort of care

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

 

to reassure us that the great machine

continues working now the signs are fair

all eyes are taken by the sudden green

 

the starting colours almost seem obscene

after the starkness yet we cannot fear

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

 

as roughnesses are covered by a screen

of leaves and blossoms and now we stare

all  eyes are taken by the sudden green

 

of trees and bushes that we had long seen

bare and asleep so now a new affair

now spring appears all verdant on the scene

all eyes are taken by the sudden green

after catullus

call me a wimp and you will be a wreck

you stupid lad who tells tales out of school

just say the word i’ll break your fucking neck

 

you seemed to think that nobody would check

the things you said that everything was cool

call me a wimp and you will be a wreck

 

you’ll be destroyed naught left no single speck

and all they’ll note is you were one more tool

just say the word i’ll break your fucking neck

 

don’t think i won’t don’t think i give a heck

for who you are or all the lies you drool

call me a wimp and you will be a wreck

 

so now you’re silent now you hit the deck

full up with fear you’ve figured out the rule

just say the word i’ll break your fucking neck

 

you have to understand that not a fleck

of pity will you get since you’re the fool

call me a wimp and you will be a wreck

just say the word i’ll break your fucking neck

the final state

all hearts are filled with horror and with dread

we’ve hit the boundary of human reach

out here in the republic of the dead

 

there’s no necessity to get ahead

once we have heard the words of the last speech

all hearts are filled with horror and with dread

 

for this we struggled long to earn our bread

and bowed low as the vile old friars preach

out here in the republic of the dead

 

where are are equal in the weight of lead

but none will listen as the poor beseech

all hearts are filled with horror and with dread

 

at every sound that penetrates the head

while silent men walk up and down the beach

out here in the republic of the dead

 

where none dare speak and all the good are fled

and what we learnt no one could ever teach

all hearts are filled with horror and with dread

out here in the republic of the dead

at the finland station

we cannot grasp the current situation

our hands are not quite equal to the task

and comrade lenin’s at the finland station

 

all sense has gone from leaders of the nation

while generals have all dived into flask

we cannot grasp the current situation

 

but know that it’s no cause for celebration

as we have reached the bottom of the cask

and comrade lenin’s at the finland station

 

we tried to impose rules of segregation

but found that there were things we could not ask

we cannot grasp the current situation

 

the masses do not give us admiration

while idle rulers on far beaches bask

and comrade lenin’s at the finland station

 

we find there is no true accommodation

they’ve seen the monster face behind the mask

we cannot grasp the current situation

and comrade lenin’s at the finland station

the meanings of the lily and rose

the garden’s keeper is the one who knows

the time of fruiting and the ways of light

the meanings of the lily and the rose

 

to all who pause to watch as each plant grows

in its true place as firm hands set it right

the garden’s keeper is the one who knows

 

when to stay calm and just when to disclose

the secret word that guards from every blight

the meanings of the lily and the rose

 

that in their beds do far more than repose

for the pure delectation of our sight

the garden’s keeper is the one who knows

 

the proper manner of setting the rows

to mimic motion and to arrest flight

the meanings of the lily and the rose

 

are not in words still less in strikes and blows

against the passage that leads into night

the garden’s keeper is the one who knows

the meanings of the lily and the rose

past winter

each word is chosen that the whole may sing

in clearest harmony with measure fair

so that past winter we may see new spring

 

we early learn the value that we’ll bring

to the fresh task our hopes are more than air

each word is chosen that the whole may sing

 

of coming magics and the truths that cling

to every heart in times of hard despair

so that past winter we may see new spring

 

throw out green shoots and let new branches swing

on the young trees light will once more be clear

each word is chosen that the whole may sing

 

in tones that reach the bird on highest wing

of better life and times in good repair

so that past winter we may see new spring

 

and spirits lightened all our hearts shall ring

with jubilation at relief of care

each word is chosen that the whole may sing

so that past winter we may see new spring