ignorant armies

the space appearing between is and ought
is where we live and where our lives unfold
we do not give this the least moment's thought

where once large armies massed and fought
there's nothing left but stones of a sheepfold
the space appearing between is and ought

the masterpiece the wise old farrier wrought
to show his skill and stave of growing old
we do not give this the least moment's thought

the gifts and sacrifices once were brought
to gods forgotten their shrines dead and cold
the space appearing between is and ought

then there were times that would-be hero sought
to find the chance to show that they were bold
we do not give this the least moment's thought

all in the end we know are trapped and caught
in history's net they all have bought and sold
the space appearing between is and ought
we do not give this the least moment's thought

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

tropical wave

when it has ended and the ground's still wet
you come out of the house and look around
the air is fresh the earth green with regret

for three whole days of worry and of fret
you've wondered at what would at last be found
when it has ended and the ground's still wet

those who know immoderation's a real threat
are heartened that we're all still safe and sound
the air is fresh the earth green with regret

the order of things seemed confusing and upset
but now with sunshine all's ready to rebound
when it has ended and the ground's still wet

it's easy in this peaceful moment to forget
the stillness has a meaning more profound
the air is fresh the earth green with regret

there's lots of work to do that's a safe bet
now that it's clear the world has not been drowned
the air is fresh the earth green with regret
when it has ended and the ground's still wet

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

this shall suffice

in time we'll know which steps we should retrace
and which were false and led us into pain
small are our hearts yet infinite as space

we stand accused of lacking sense of place
our lives are not lived seeking greater gain
in time we'll know which steps we should retrace

no power above can lend us greater grace
that nature gives us that should now be plain
small are our hearts yet infinite as space

this is our journey we alone can set the pace
we've been fooled once but won't be fooled again
in time we'll know which steps we should retrace

distant be night only then shall we unlace
both boots and souls with relief after strain
small are our hearts yet infinite as space

there is a knowledge hidden behind each face
it cannot be hidden no matter how much we feign
in time we'll know which steps we should retrace
small are our hearts yet infinite as space

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

looking at malvern mountain

the trumpet tree is flaming on the hill
its colours make it stand out from the green
i follow the road homeward with no thrill

the road is carved by act of human will
it's level length is very easily seen
the trumpet tree is flaming on the hill

in the mountain valley all is calm and still
a few flowers in hedges are allowed to preen
i follow the road homeward with no thrill

the birds that cry their messages are shrill
the air around us is both clear and clean
the trumpet tree is flaming on the hill

i hurry over the pathway trying not to spill
my schoolbag and make a stupid scene
i follow the road homeward with no thrill

with miles to go there is no time to kill
from start to finish there's no pause between
the trumpet tree is flaming on the hill
i follow the road homeward with no thrill

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

taking a message

you go down the mountain to mountainside
the road is wet the clouds promise more rain
each step downhill's a matter of some pride

the road's a bridle path a fool would ride
a horse or donkey from the hills to plain
you go down the mountain to mountainside

on the slick clay you fear each step to slide
the gully yawns below with death and pain
each step downhill's a matter of some pride

at mountain's foot almost you seem to glide
but here there is a different kind of strain
you go down the mountain to mountainside

on flatter ground you go with swifter stride
the farmer in the field is planting grain
each step downhill's a matter of some pride

the paved road when you reach it seems so wide
the blood is singing along every vein
you go down the mountain to mountainside
each step downhill's a matter of some pride

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

stanmore hill

i sit upon the drystone pasture wall
to watch the puffy clouds hurrying by
and answer yes or answer not at all

a common scene it never seems to pall
above my head the rushing swallows fly
i sit upon the drystone pasture wall

in middle distance i hear voices call
in joy or pain i cannot tell the cry
and answer yes or answer not at all

down the sky's slope the sun begins to fall
its orb will soon come level with my eye
i sit upon the drystone pasture wall

upon the rocks lizards and insects crawl
their chances in the afternoon to try
and answer yes or answer not at all

in the mind's eye it all seems rather small
the tale that's told is truth it is no lie
i sit upon the drystone pasture wall
and answer yes or answer not at all

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the day seems old

in the pale light no shadows can be seen
the sun is densely wreathed by a thick cloud
only the music seems alert and keen

with little wind the thin trees do not lean
against each other in their little crowd
in the pale light no shadows can be seen

this weather is the kind that aches the spleen
we pass each other with our bodies bowed
only the music seems alert and keen

not noble but submissive is our mien
on this dull day a fool could not be proud
in the pale light no shadows can be seen

even the grass has turned a pallid green
this day we feel was made to wear a shroud
only the music seems alert and keen

the lethargy's not abolished by caffeine
constricted are the limits of the allowed
in the pale light no shadows can be seen
only the music seems alert and keen

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

a hopeful villanelle

all times cohere when hope announces spring
when brown becomes green when leaves renew
we look for blossoms we hear the birds all sing

all the exhaustion all of the dullness we bring
from winter deep fades now from thought and view
all times cohere when hope announces spring

the bells no longer sound leaden when they ring
though cloudy still the days of cold are few
we look for blossoms we hear the birds all sing

on every side the trees now brightly fling
fresh odours into air the long grey days are through
all times cohere when hope announces spring

the world fills up with colour fit to adorn a king
the bees seek nectar to make their sweet dense brew
we look for blossoms we hear the birds all sing

with leaves and flowers the year completes its ring
from birth to death and birth's again in view
all times cohere when hope announces spring
we look for blossoms we hear the birds all sing

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

advancing on steady legs

we walk together with the flute and pin
no bones about it that is just the way
while rod and arm provide us means to win

on all fours with the law's the way to spin
just how we got here on this sunny day
we walk together with the flute and pin

with two in tandem we know to begin
the masses move together in array
while rod and arm provide us means to win

the music has its source somewhere within
the heart that leaps at sunset in the bay
we walk together with the flute and pin

the song's wind-blown there is no violin
can carry this tune melancholy and gay
while rod and arm provide us means to win

we beat the rhythm out on willing skin
and as we go still do we yearn to stay
we walk together with the flute and pin
while rod and arm provide us means to win

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

january spring

with just a view of trees and birds and light
we can construct the frame of paradise
that will withstand even the longest night

we must make sure that we can do things right
the limits of mortality we will despise
with just a view of trees and birds and light

we know right here and now the bright
days of this mild winter are not mere lies
that will withstand even the longest night

the sunshine on the wall seems to requite
the pain and suffering that upset our eyes
with just a view of trees and birds and light

defiant leaves with fresh colour will ignite
winter it seems has donned a new disguise
that will withstand even the longest night

in this mild weather we all take delight
nature we know has given us a prize
with just a view of trees and birds and light
that will withstand even the longest night

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

having a heart

at times the pressure gets too much to bear
then you must grit your teeth and try to smile
the process always injures those who care

what happens to our loved ones far or near
requires that we adopt a certain style
at times the pressure gets too much to bear

the truth is that you fear for those who wear
their hearts out in the open for others' bile
the process always injures those who care

then in the end they'll only come to stare
at the wreck of all your fortune what a trial
at times the pressure gets too much to bear

when you get to the boiling point they'll tear
your heart out full of laughter all the while
the process always injures those who care

to answer in your passage never spare
the ones who most will profit from their guile
at times the pressure gets too much to bear
the process always injures those who care

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister