Willow Walk

here right now

so here right now at anchor on dry land

by no storm tossed with shelter from the gale

is no good time to falter nor turn stale

but find some urgent task for working hand

increase the space of mind at my command

the length of time before my thoughts must fail

have hope of better judgment from the scale

and make a thorough honest humane stand

where bound from here by fate or lowly chance

the end's the same but shares of joy and pain

will not be even between now and night

there's one great task to rejoice in the dance

get out and fully measure sun and rain

keep back the dark and glory in the light

first thing to do

our duty is to rectify the names

and ranks of those who serve and guide the state

take out the waste and cast in in the flames

 

the one who praises is the one who blames

so both should suffer an immediate fate

our duty is to rectify the names

 

remove the wrong assess all proper claims

while honouring those who patiently wait

take out the waste and cast it in the flames

 

not for us gaudy masks of knights and dames

we learnt our service how to clean each plate

our duty is to rectify the names

 

to take account of glories and of shames

of who was early and who coming late

take out the waste and cast it in the flames

 

we have no time for silly childish games

nor patience for discussion and debate

our duty is to rectify the names

take out the waste and cast it in the flames

preparing for night

a simple honest vision birds in flight

across the narrow valley in dim air

while very slowly we prepare for night

 

in one swift moment we have to indite

magical incantations of despair

a simple honest vision birds in flight

 

will come upon us in the final light

to draw from every eye a single tear

while very slowly we prepare for night

 

in manner of old custom law and rite

withstanding all injustice pain and fear

a simple honest vision birds in flight

 

will transport each of us to some new height

beyond the weight of suffering or care

while very slowly we prepare for night

 

with understanding of both truth and right

to match the music that will make all clear

a simple honest vision birds in flight

while very slowly we prepare for night

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

heart and mind

we make the nation out of heart and mind

but give allegiance only when we're paid

which means this kingdom's truly of the blind

for all that we have been to truth inclined

its consequences make us all afraid

we make the nation out of heart and mind

yet cannot doubt that we've still been consigned

to the old trap we're in the same old trade

which means this kingdom's truly of the blind

and thus we know already what we'll find

once we unravel all the plots we'd laid

we make the nation out of heart and mind

expecting history will be more kind

granting some measure of good ease and aid

which means this kingdom's truly of the blind

since no such hope has ever been designed

instead we'll have to do with what we've made

we make the nation out of heart and mind

which means this kingdom's truly of the blind