Willow Walk

the message

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

roll from the speaker who stood above

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

 

there’s what we have asked for much has been done

the structure is falling just one more shove

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

 

and we are not startled though it may stun

having already seen fist in the glove

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

 

pleasant words told us of miles left to run

with hearts of a lion and souls of a dove

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

 

out of the vision the teller had spun

came more hope than any of us had thought of

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

 

the story of all that was worth being won

the magic and beauty of our common love

we heard a clear message loud as a gun

bright as a sovereign in the setting sun

by the open door

these are the laws with which all must comply

within the bounds not just of this one state

but under all the norms of human freight

as though we were not only passing by

like winter birds up in the cloudless sky

each on its way towards a waiting mate

with certain knowledge of the coming date

true clarity of vision in each eye

so duty comes upon us and we weep

for all those moments when we could not stand

in proper place right by the open door

where ordinary watchers just might keep

a welcome jug of water close to hand

and for the hungry perhaps something more

within this pleasant air

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

birds cry our presence we are monsters here

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

 

in each small clearing there's not much to see

the light of morning seems harsh and austere

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

 

wild pines in the high branches in the lee

of the bright breezes which bring so much cheer

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

 

much further in avoiding the decree

of the hard fate that they all seem to fear

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

 

commensal vision where we might agree

on how life comes both to survive and share

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

 

while we explain how these things come to be

in dappled light within this pleasant air

deep in the forest withies climb each tree

beneath our feet the little creatures flee

every human course

no echoes but the silence is so loud

that we are caught between the dark and pain

of interrupted morning once again

when rushing with all ants in the huge crowd

each is obliged to do what is allowed

take up the load and soak in the old stain

just hope that we are moving with the grain

and all the while refrain from being proud

those are the rules and they were clearly made

beyond the veil since they’re a simple law

meant to apply in every human course

until recall of all our deeds shall fail

then in good time we’ll offer up the flaw

leaving the payment to a lesser force