the world expects

the space constricts in absence of full light
nothing remains but what we can allow
each day's completed by the fall of night

too much of anything will lead to blight
we can't prevent it with a simple vow
the space constricts in absence of full light

doing the right thing requires more than might
we'd undertake it if we knew just how
each day's completed by the fall of night

upon our shoulders no wise bird will alight
nothing our senses overcome or wow
the space constricts in absence of full light

still do we seek to announce just what is right
we will not free the ox that pulls the plough
each day's completed by the fall of night

at noon we cannot see with fullest sight
our eyes seem dimmer underneath the brow
the space constricts in absence of full light
each day's completed by the fall of night

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

walking to the mailboxes

a gentle breeze that barely moves the leaves
afternoon sun that dapples the porch wall
who could guess on this day that the year grieves

pine needles piled up on the roof almost in sheaves
what set them there over the months of fall
a gentle breeze that barely moves the leaves

in this gloriousness of light one almost believes
that there's a power here that's far from small
who could guess on this day that the year grieves

one's tempted to say that the weather just deceives
what charms us now and keeps us here in thrall
a gentle breeze that barely moves the leaves

time and change we know that they're plain thieves
they'll leave us with nothing they will take all
who could guess on this day that the year grieves

the past looks on and catches our loose sleeves
we may smile now but latter we will bawl
a gentle breeze that barely moves the leaves
who could guess on this day that the year grieves

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

brilliance in december

the light on the broom tells an attractive lie
it is not warm though everywhere is bright
above us there's a vibrant deep blue sky

the birds that flutter on the porch seem shy
they're pausing here to rest for further flight
the light on the broom tells an attractive lie

more beauty than this day none can supply
the cold's just trivial in this sharp light
above us there's a vibrant deep blue sky

the chirping birds are poised quite soon to fly
they've been quite patient all the long night
the light on the broom tells an attractive lie

though yesterday it rained the ground is dry
the naked tree seems enveloped in spite
above us there's a vibrant deep blue sky

no other signs of hope can we descry
yet the clear sunshine here has banished fright
the light on the broom tells an attractive lie
above us there's a vibrant deep blue sky

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

december's happiness

in your great shining i was given light
a sudden and complete illumination
this is the barrier against the fall of night

there's nothing minor trivial nor slight
in this amazing fact of contemplation
in your bright shining i was given light

given this lustre my words take flight
there's only joy in their fresh aviation
this is the barrier against the fall of night

at last my mind can shake free of its fright
with happiness at this amalgamation
in your bright shining i was given light

before i was caught up in a strict plight
your presence here betokens liberation
this is the barrier against the fall of night

again i thank you grateful for the bright
aura that comes from this happy lustration
in your bright shining i was given light
this is the barrier against the fall of night

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

right mindfulness

outside the endless sky promises liberation
i sit here always focused on right doing
the great achievement's secular salvation

we come now to this season's iteration
sun and calendar their functions cueing
outside the endless sky promises liberation

these are the final moments of frustration
the last parade the monarch's formal viewing
the great achievement's secular salvation

we give the savage power its illustration
in this way our right occupation pursuing
outside the endless sky promises liberation

the time's come now for rightful meditation
the ship that comes for us will not need crewing
the great achievement's secular salvation

beyond this moment's sudden fragmentation
we know that a wider patter is ensuing
outside the endless sky promises liberation
the great achievement's secular salvation

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

Not the best of thoughts

The morning weighs like lead on tired backs,
we move through life in a perpetual fog,
it's time for our spirit to pay its season's tax.

It does not matter that the writing's lax
in grammar, with the syntax of a log,
the morning weighs like lead on tired backs.

That torturer, life, sets up her tools and racks
our bodies with each twisting of the cog;
it's time for our spirit to pay its season's tax

but not above the limit, or else it cracks
our enterprising power, like a dead dog,
the morning weighs like lead on tired backs.

This moment turns the best of us to hacks,
we've naught to give, we're far too gone to jog,
it's time for our spirit to pay its season's tax.

Obligation's our mistress, before us she stacks
our work, then gives the order 'now, jump frog!'
The morning weighs like lead on tired backs,
its time for our spirit to pay its season's tax.

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

listening to shostakovich

the music flows like dark full-bodied wine
ensnaring minds filled with another matter
attentions are focused all along the line

no assurance but i know the feeling's mine
solidity of presence will not shatter
the music flows like dark full-bodied wine

a different tone the moment must enshrine
above the heavy shoes no longer clatter
attentions are focused all along the line

on what better food than this can humans dine
we ask though it comes not on a platter
the music flows like dark full-bodied wine

the moment and the sound they now entwine
no need for sonorous speech or rapid patter
attentions are focused all along the line

exhaustion and hope uncertainly combine
this night at least our teeth will not chatter
the music flows like dark full-bodied wine
attentions are focused all along the line

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

in time of war

beware of truths that come in deep disguise
the march of progress is not ever straight
we're watched over by the bodyguard of lies

in spite of all we've learned we believe our eyes
the clock will tell us quite soon that we're late
beware of truths that come in deep disguise

statements of fact like colour heft or size
we may or may not in time integrate
we're watched over by the bodyguard of lies

imprudent acts will not bring us the prize
the message we will not reiterate
beware of truths that come in deep disguise

what was once clear is now just a surmise
the answer will the question antedate
we're watched over by the bodyguard of lies

the earnest journey the vaunted enterprise
they find us all not ready at the gate
beware of truths that come in deep disguise
we're watched over by the bodyguard of lies

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

true knowledge

the sun shining on bare branches does not lie
the day will warm for winter is not yet
few clouds scud across the vast blue sky

they do not worry that the light will die
who risk their own lives lightly on a bet
the sun shining on bare branches does not lie

what breaks the silence nothing now will buy
the last birds fly together in a set
few clouds scud across the vast blue sky

enlightenment will not come from on high
it's our own product and it brings regret
the sun shining on bare branches does not lie

the call to duty will come by and by
till then we have no call to sigh or fret
few clouds scud across the vast blue sky

the death announced gives us no cause to cry
the obligations of honour will be met
the sun shining on bare branches does not lie
few clouds scud across the vast blue sky

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

miracle bird or golden handiwork

no ghost or sprite comes here but in our dreams
in those we struggle with our dark recall
the messages that come are our new memes

the sun illuminates us now with its bright beams
we look outside for the last leaves to fall
no ghost or sprite comes here but in our dreams

on cars and windows sharply the sun gleams
but darkness hangs on long within the hall
the messages that come are our new memes

we know that what exists is never what it seems
the brightest gift with long use comes to pall
no ghost or sprite comes here but in our dreams

in spite of outer calm our inner voice still screams
but no one hears nor will regard its call
the messages that come are our new memes

the light of morning always brightly streams
through our long windows making night seem small
no ghost or sprite comes here but in our dreams
the messages that come are our new memes

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister

the regular journey

each time the message changes but the intent is the same
there's nothing here that alters our opinions or desires
the whole thing's an instantiation of the greatest game

making an effort matters it suffices to banish shame
yet it makes a noted difference if one employs or fires
each time the message changes but the intent is the same

we've seen the very beginnings the first crude wooden frame
on the hard soil there are still the marks of tyres
the whole thing's an instantiation of the greatest game

the forest looms before us it looks wild but is quite tame
the sun in its daily travels reaches the branches and expires
each time the message changes but the intent is the same

in each week's journey we find change has made its claim
the action we don't see invisible to us are the wires
the whole thing's an instantiation of the greatest game

there's no intent no responsibility no one to apportion blame
we laugh and smile yet know that they were liars
each time the message changes but the intent is the same
the whole thing's an instantiation of the greatest game

(C)2006, Fragano Ledgister