Willow Walk

counting the cost

in the beginning we counted no cost

but went rejoicing into the warm rain

so now more grimly we face what we've lost

 

so many choices into the mix tossed

almost at random it all seemed so plain

in the beginning we counted no cost

 

as being worth waiting no text was glossed

for hidden messages all was just gain

so now more grimly we face what we've lost

 

a world more troubled a future star-crossed

no brilliant thoughts emerging from each brain

in the beginning we counted no cost

 

instead we are the ones who now are bossed

ordered about and marked with a sad stain

so now more grimly we face what we've lost

 

knowing that morning will see the first frost

that signals a new winter with its pain

in the beginning we counted no cost

so now more grimly we face what we've lost

one more human deed

we  fear to echo what the sunlight speaks

in voices that cannot be raised too loud

for fear we might stand out within the crowd

or be admonished as monsters or freaks

so we are silent do not strain our breeks

in the assurance we will not be proud

of course or carriage nothing is allowed

to harm the tenor of our days and weeks

for normal passage this might be enough

but more is needed when we have to find

the kind of courage that you only need

when life has taken all your other stuff

and you’ve been drive mad as well as blind

yet have a chance for one more human deed

the making of good luck

beneath the cloud is clarity of sight

where choices made do not entail regret

but only wistfulness that we have set

our hopes too high as swiftly-coming night

will end the journey still in our despite

there's magic against which we may not bet

so each must laugh while all the foolish fret

for there's still someone who can make all right

not for us here the option to renew

all the old answers that no longer serve

to cover up what must now be made plain

those monstrous forms that we refuse to view

or the old houses just around the curve

where we used to take shelter from the rain

all work or play

before we cut the cord there is some time

to know the places where all choice is plain

and there is neither complete loss or gain

nor any hiding underneath the grime

for anyone the world is in its prime

we find it easy to remove each stain

nor is it hard to to show or to explain

the value given to each song or chime

while each one waits to hear just how the day

will be reported by the wisest folk

we will not rush unseeing  to remark

upon the rules that bound all work or play

nor those we take to be some kind of joke

that leave  us gasping at return of dark