Willow Walk

on open water

we looked on open water for a week

a warm green sea true eater of the sun

great arm of ocean not river or creek

 

this was our respite from a world made bleak

by constant duty service on the run

we looked on open water for a week

 

in hope of healing certain the unique

sense of the name would give us what we'd won

great arm of ocean not river or creek

 

immensity of peace that we could seek

as fullest respite when each day was done

we looked on open water for a week

 

with smiling faces that forbade critique

of any statement that would overrun

great arm of ocean not river or creek

 

where we end moving easily and sleek

towards the sunset knowing it was fun

we looked on open water for a week

great arm of ocean not river or creek

chant royal of the scholar and his cat

in hidden corner there's a place for sleep

you know it well and will come out to play

in your good time meanwhile you'll let me keep

my larger vigils on this cloudy day

seeking the wisdoms of a time of pain

with half an eye cocked for the coming rain

and senses focused on approaching night

(we know it's coming though the day is bright)

hands put together purpose that is kind

while every heart is poised for instant flight

into the bright dominion of the mind

the lives of people never seem so deep

as feline hungers in their simple way

you are the wanderers and we the sheep

our normal tasks will seem to your delay

from urgent hunger and there is no gain

from what we're doing that seems to you plain

it does not come within your line of sight

provides you nothing of your household right

the sort of thing that is best left behind

lest it should bring a darkness or a blight

into the bright dominion of the mind

your eye is focused on the things that creep

across the yard that you would wish to slay

we know this and for fortune will not weep

but wonder at the words you'd like to say

if speech were given and you could complain

at being bound in by such a golden chain

as if we punished your for our delight

and thought your chiding visions could indict

our cruelty in keeping you confined

but see you move with happy summer light

into the bright dominion of the mind

prince you might think this subject impolite

and such debate is not the best to cite

yet we must take the pathways that we find

from your dark rule of chaos and old night

into the bright dominion of the mind

in sudden summer

these storms have turned the world all green

and sunlight limns the leaves in gold

no time today to chide or scold

we look and smile the birds all preen

while eager hunters become bold

these storms have turned the world all green

for beauty we have set the scene

a story known and often told

that hearts are broken and consoled

these storms have turned the world all green

empirical wisdom

no matter what the words remain the same

echoing blandly down the aching years

our beast once wild has now turned safely tame

 

your voice is one that could with depth proclaim

ending to hurt and to the weight of fears

no matter what the words remain the same

 

as when we started infants in the game

certain that we'd be the new cavaliers

our beast once wild has now turned safely tame

 

and we have come despite the threat of shame

to know the meaning of so many tears

no matter what the words remain the same

 

still they are uttered out of need for blame

while horror is doled out in lavish shares

our beast once wild has not turned safely tame

 

and cowers uncertain of the fading flame

as each who waits at last wails and despairs

no matter what the words remain the same

our beast once wild has now turned safely tame

to the point

they fill in visions and repeat in sound

the touch of light on rock the moving shade

marking a changing time then the parade

of trucks and buses moving folk around

since we must hurry to get off this ground

back to our homes back to the normal trade

of simple speaking in words that are flayed

out of all meaning then twisted and bound

a short escape leads to another place

with older energies but the same tide

washed on that shore beneath a certain light

allowing these historians to trace

the roots of anger and the base of pride

straight to their homes in certainty and right

westward gaze

for a short while we sit and watch the sea

the ships that pass the people on the shore

and then turn back to what we were before

there's understanding here of what must be

a straightforward accounting of the score

for a short while we sit and watch the sea

smile at the world knowing that we agree

on the good things that no one could want more

than such warm moments till the final door

for a short while we sit and watch the sea

shapeshifter

this empty form with simple sound

is filled echoes amplify the space

they occupy but lack  the grace

 

to be both honest and profound

as keepers of spirit and pace

this empty form with simple sound

 

becomes the whole complete and round

that we desire more than the chase

of life itself marked on each face

this empty form with simple sound