a true enchantment

all explanations will seem too complex
unless we seek for hope within the shade
the thing that pleases us others will vex

we live our lives by means of pure reflex
the things that matter all too quickly fade
all explanations will seem too complex

our normal journeys turn into long treks
the half of us will never make the grade
the thing that pleases us others will vex

the act of thinking will most folk perplex
much clearer just to dance and wield the blade
all explanations will seem too complex

we feel the wind is cold upon our necks
and know that we can't choose the proper trade
the thing that pleases us others will vex

all of our lives resolve to work and sex
there's nothing else to pass through in parade
all explanations will seem too complex
the thing that pleases us others will vex

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

eventually we reach the sea

the river flows and shifts its load of mud
against the current the wise do not go
some things retain the colour of old blood

i know that others worry it will flood
but this old stream is broad and very slow
the river flows and shifts its load of mud

a moment passes we know it was a dud
the ones who watch are not the ones who grow
some things retain the colour of old blood

we watch the stupid cow it chews its cud
high in the air we're looked on by a crow
the river flows and shifts its load of mud

the truth we find out falls with a dull thud
we hear the sound but do not feel the blow
some things retain the colour of old blood

the broadest leaf must start out as a bud
the ones who see this are the ones who know
the river flows and shifts its load of mud
some things retain the colour of old blood

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

customarily correct

master confucius tells us what is rite
is the correct approach to all we do
but we must keep our families in sight

lots of old teachers chatter all the night
about the vulgar many and the happy few
master confucius tells us what is rite

and nothing's trivial seen in the proper light
each of us must our human sense renew
but we must keep our families in sight

the one who knows is properly bedight
but those who don't simply obscure the view
master confucius tells us what is rite

you wait for the proper river fish to bite
and all the while you hold your lucky shoe
but we must keep our families in sight

our joy in sacrifice is never slight
the sacred smoke rises right up the flue
master confucius tells us what is rite
but we must keep our families in sight

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

mystery of the editorial voice

a polite no's far better than a curt yes
we haven't taken thought for that much pain
but know that time will give us more not less

there's no one who can curse or who can bless
we see the clouds and curse the absent rain
a polite no's far better than a curt yes

we say much less than free folk should express
in summer we might laugh at the chilblain
but know that time will give us more not less

we're far too wise to contemplate redress
whatever went before will come again
a polite no's far better than a curt yes

a sort of weight on every head will press
we purport to resist with might and main
but know that time will give us more not less

each of us takes our feelings to excess
in spite of fact we'll hope for victory plain
(a polite no's far better than a curt yes)
but know that time will give us more not less

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

no reason for doubt

the real complexity of life is what we hate
things should be simple all in black and white
all of our problems can be blamed on fate

the sort of thing that we call excess freight
will seem once we have started to be slight
the real complexity of life is what we hate

we clean the bar and write up on the slate
the total cost of drinking every night
all of our problems can be blamed on fate

our answers always seem to come too late
we have no chance to show off and be bright
the real complexity of life is what we hate

the pressure and the strain will not abate
we have to take the vessel at the height
all of our problems can be blamed on fate

the power we have is not reason of state
the only thing that matters is our might
the real complexity of life is what we hate
all of our problems can be blamed on fate

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

How to make light

We take our places in the old, old play
with not much sense of being upon the stage,
we're just the honest voices of our day.

There's so much that we simply cannot say,
too many things that are wrong with our age;
we take our places in the old, old play.

At best we might some notional monster slay
that has its only life on this white page,
we're just the honest voices of our day.

We hide our smiles when spamming asses bray
their trite inanities, and hold our rage --
we take our places in the old, old play.

We laugh when watch as our good friends stray
all over the damn' map, our laugh's their gauge;
we're just the honest voices of our day.

Though seasons change we've got eternal May,
we're civil but we know when to engage;
we're just the honest voices of our day,
we take our places in the old, old play.

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

solstice evening

it's hot and summery on this first night
we look outside and praise the longest day
the world is filled by myriad beings bright

we see the world with more than normal sight
and praise those things that take our breath away
it's hot and summery on this first night

aloft the birds perform their dance of flight
while we sit here to bid the moment stay
the world is filled with myriad beings bright

we take these matters as our simple right
but in our hearts we know that they are play
it's hot and summery on this first night

against us now the facts will never fight
we cannot from this long path ever stray
the world is filled with myriad beings bright

we know that we must turn back to our plight
but for this moment we pause and delay
its hot and summery on this first night
the world is filled with myriad beings bright

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

a glimmer in the trees

i know that life's a matter of high art
the thing we do is make it into play
still there is truth within each living heart

you make demand for the exciting part
and when its done you'll always rue the day
i know that life's a matter of high art

the body's not much more than an old cart
it knows the ruts and puddles on the way
still there is truth within each living heart

across the lawn you see a swift bird dart
its hunger simply will not let it stay
i know that life's a matter of high art

you'd sell your soul if you could find the mart
your very skin you'd let the butcher flay
still there is truth within each living heart

what's at the end was there right at the start
the silence holds the best things that we say
i know that life's a matter of high art
still there is truth within each living heart

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

this teasing sun

all of our longing's focused on the rain
there's little we can do but wait and fret
the grass must wonder at this human strain

our work seems focused on but little gain
the duties come and go but we're beset
all of our longing's focused on the rain

a time of waiting's not easy in the main
we plant and hope that we will not regret
the grass must wonder at this human strain

no sooner promised than it's gone again
the lack of water is our greatest debt
all of our longing's focused on the rain

the clouds all dissipate that much is plain
we seem to know that nothing we will get
the grass must wonder at this human strain

another day passes with weight of pain
we want to hope but we will soon forget
all of our longing's focused on the rain
the grass must wonder at this human strain

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

death of the republic

revolt's the thing in which we take most pride
the job of government's a constant bore
we all forget we're just here for the ride

we aren't the ones who'd run away and hide
but neither would you find us at the fore
revolt's the thing in which we take most pride

each of us knows that we must take a side
but facts are things that we'd like to ignore
we all forget we're just here for the ride

the ones who have a heart we must deride
we only trust the one we know's a whore
revolt's the thing in which we take most pride

the golden light's the thing we've most denied
we've done our best and no one could do more
we all forget we're just here for the ride

through all of life we find it best to glide
we see but cannot reach the better shore
revolt's the thing in which we take most pride
we all forget we're just here for the ride

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

a distant thunder

we add things up to get the sum of pain
a mere misstep and we're deep in the soup
we wait and wait but still it will not rain

it's tempting to see matters as just plain
the world needs time to rest and to regroup
we add things up to get the sum of pain

at no time will we know the best of gain
until our hopes have grown and flown the coop
we wait and wait but still it will not rain

the wind may do its best but we just strain
the proper answer seems outside the loop
we add things up to get the sum of pain

we know that we can't beat the human stain
while swallows in vast numbers soar and swoop
we wait and wait but still it will not rain

to sit and think just goes against the grain
to conquer we must do far more than stoop
we add things up to get the sum of pain
we wait and wait but still it will not rain

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

breaking the flood

we know our hopes cannot be wrong
they are the things that keep us going
we want to jump and start a song

day after day the season long
we wonder why it isn't snowing
we know our hopes cannot be wrong

our sense is always far too strong
our eyes just will not stop glowing
we want to jump and start a song

if you with us will march along
in these new fields we will be hoeing
we know our hopes cannot be wrong

we'll chase out those who don't belong
and keep the ones we would be showing
we want to jump and start a song

i want to hammer on the gong
as long as any river's flowing
we know our hopes cannot be wrong
we want to jump and start a song

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

zombie uprising day

zombies have rights as we should know
they need fair treatment with their brains
you just sit back and watch the show

the ground has got a spectral glow
we hear the sound of distant trains
zombies have rights as we should know

we see them shambling in a row
the cynic boggles and then strains
you just sit back and watch the show

these monstrous beings are firm and slow
they've not been puzzled by the rains
zombies have rights as we should know

along the ground the mist will flow
all that is left of us are stains
you just sit back and watch the show

in some dark place foul beings grow
their scent reminds us of clogged drains
zombies have rights as we should know
you just sit back and watch the show

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

storm warning

the sky will weigh on every single back
we hate the winter but can't take the spring
the light reminds us of all that we lack

the storm has driven us far off the track
we hear the cry of bird with broken wing
the sky will weigh on every single back

no old crone's here to pop us in a sack
but still we worry what new day will bring
the light reminds us of all that we lack

our hearts right now could not withstand attack
we're trapped within a slowly closing ring
the sky will weigh on every single back

the bonds that link us have become too slack
but no ties can protect us from the sting
the light reminds us of all that we lack

and at the end we know we'll fade to black
none will remember and no one will sing
the sky will weigh on every single back
the light reminds us of all that we lack

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

and then there's laughter

a sort of magic evolves through the night
with music that comes straight down from the stars
we pass from dream to dream back to the light

our hearts and livers never have been right
we see ourselves through barriers and bars
a sort of magic evolves through the night

awake or sleeping we're in the same plight
we see the world through visions of fast cars
we pass from dream to dream back to the light

we cannot stop nor pause throughout the flight
below the ship bears tatters on its spars
a sort of magic evolves through the night

we can't replay those visions with true sight
our souls and bodies can't withstand these jars
we pass from dream to dream back to the light

not one of us who knows what is true might
we play the same old tunes on our guitars
a sort of magic evolves through the night
we pass from dream to dream back to the light


(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

a model of reality

i fight hot edit wars inside my head
the fools like flies must succumb to my whisk
the struggle will go on until i'm dead

my realm of thought's extensive and widespread
yet every day it's what i put at risk
i fight hot edit wars inside my head

i am the one who faces all with dread
but still i know of frolic and of frisk
the struggle will go on until i'm dead

the armies still advance with steady tread
you can sit back and sup on lobster bisque
i fight hot edit wars inside my head

there's not one thing that we can take as read
until we get it down upon the disk
the struggle will go on until i'm dead

so we'll continue till all has been said
and all our wealth is eaten by the fisc
i fight hot edit wars inside my head
the struggle will go on until i'm dead

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

heard all before

They will not matter, all the words you speak;
the ones who make the rules just do not care
the strong and powerful just ignore the weak.

In all directions there's one prognosis: bleak.
There's nothing to be set out as our share,
they will not matter all the words you speak.

We're all alone and must therefore be meek
although we know the boss is never fair;
the strong and powerful just ignore the weak.

Our righteous anger is dismissed as pique,
we're told we're lucky we don't pay for the air;
they will not matter all the words you speak.

Should any come they'll not find what they seek
since nothing will be given us but fear;
the strong and powerful just ignore the weak.

Justice and honour might as well be Greek
since what we face is simply power laid bare;
they will not matter all the words you speak,
the strong and powerful just ignore the weak.

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

above wild waters

had we some reason for fear or regret
our tears would flow to fill the very sea
still we have not won every race just yet

although we're not permitted to forget
our masters tell us that we'd now be free
had we some reason for fear or regret

our flawless records won't soon be upset
there's always been a call to let things be
still we have not won every race just yet

all of our senses tell us there's a threat
yet we'd succumb and bow and bend the knee
had we some reason for fear or regret

our common sense just will not let us fret
about how far we've fallen from the tree
still we have not won every race just yet

so we have got the sense to see what's set
before us may allow us soon to see
had we some reason for fear or regret
still we have not won every race just yet

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

a moment of acceptance

if we just change our point of view
we'll see a different sort of light
all that is dull will then seem new

i've walked barefoot in morning dew
and wondered how it seems so bright
if we just change our point of view

good chances seem to come to few
our spirits though have taken flight
all that is dull will then seem new

we have some chance of coming through
and making sure that things are right
if we just change our point of view

above our heads the sky's still blue
we'll do our best to end all blight
all that is dull will then seem new

our hope is to receive what's due
to our own hearts and face the night
if we just change our point of view
all that is dull will then seem new

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the cancelled debt

what's been free given is not truly lost
at times we move to a much swifter pace
but being human will not count the cost

out on the stream each one of us is tossed
and then we're told the whole thing is a race
what's been free given is not truly lost

the ones who do the bossing and the bossed
know what is false and what is still the case
but being human will not count the cost

at least we know the price of being crossed
means we're held back and lose our precious place
what's been free given is not truly lost

the meaning's one that can be swiftly glossed
we play the king yet cannot play the ace
but being human will not count the cost

we're ready for what comes both heat and frost
each sees the future with a steady face
what's been free given is not truly lost
but being human will not count the cost

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

redefinition of the day

the storm that comes is not the one we need
here all alone we know the empty heart
upon our minds the anxious thoughts will feed

what's left to know is but the magic deed
which makes the prestidigitator smart
the storm that comes is not the one we need

wise gardeners tell the flower from the weed
uproot the latter and throw it on the cart
upon our minds the anxious thought will feed

life is the force that makes each of us bleed
but no one dares to tell us at the start
the storm that comes is not the one we need

too late the dancers begin to take heed
the clouds are doing their predestined part
upon our minds the anxious thought will feed

life's far too short to give in to vile greed
instead we need to choose our proper art
the storm that comes is not the one we need
upon our minds the anxious thought will feed

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the voice of cassandra

we know that every dream will just go smash
our hopes and happiness will simply fly
and all our longed-for beauties turn to ash

there'll be some moment just before the crash
when we may just be able to ask why
we know that every dream will just go smash

our parents knew the burden and the lash
yet we sought with all vanity to reach high
and all our longed-for beauties turn to ash

the monster that's to come will gnaw and gnash
not one who praises us will hear our cry
we know that every dream will just go smash

we thought the doomsters were just raw and rash
but now their honesty none can deny
and all our longed-for beauties turn to ash

our victories just vanish in a flash
defeat and desolation we'll descry
we know that every dream will just go smash
and all our longed-for beauties turn to ash

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

we come to understand

the numbers do not ever lie
they tell us we've already lost
we might as well lie down and die

all seems so calm to naïve eye
it judges heat alike with frost
the numbers do not ever lie

all birds have ceased at last to fly
the empty space will not be crossed
we might as well lie down and die

no clouds are up there in the sky
there's no one out there to accost
the numbers do not ever lie

we note the failure of the spry
the letter's been sealed and embossed
we might as well lie down and die

no reason's left for us to spy
we cannot ever meet the cost
the numbers do not ever lie
we might as well lie down and die

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the green banner

the names recall those who survived
a dove arises from the flames
it speaks of love and hope revived

justice is everywhere derived
without indulgence in old games
the names recall those who survived

once many here had grown and thrived
who now are mired within their shames
it speaks of love and hope revived

they have all journeyed and arrived
in concordance with well-known aims
the names recall those who survived

of nothing are they now deprived
but still they have set forth their claims
it speaks of love and hope revived

in pain and joy have they contrived
to fit all things into these frames
the names recall those who survived
it speaks of love and hope revived

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

five miles from malvern

we reached here in the middle of the night
our beds were blankets laid out on the floor
the place seemed huge and heavy in the light

the day began and it was hot and bright
at breakfast we would ask for something more
we reached here in the middle of the night

i knew that we were in some sort of plight
but what it was could never reach my core
the place seemed huge and heavy in the light

all those around me seemed like men of might
only one of them was known to me before
we reached here in the middle of the night

at last we set out though little was set right
we could not tell the rich ones from the poor
the place seemed huge and heavy in the light

memory recalls just wonder and no spite
morning would come and we would find the door
we reached here in the middle of the night
the place seemed huge and heavy in the light

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

song of the cock-sparrow

i haven't thought about the proper manner
of setting up the fences and the walls
but am now ready to follow your banner

this journey is in need of a smart planner
but no one answers our desperate calls
i haven't thought about the proper manner

i don't have much more right now than a tanner
(although some'd say that was a load of balls)
but am now ready to follow your banner

the signal will be monitored by scanner
we'll catch the villains sitting in the stalls
i haven't thought about the proper manner

the coppers will say that it's not our manor
still i've been out there whistling in the stalls
but am now ready to follow your banner

into the vast machine we'll throw a spanner
we'll catch the boss out while he's in his smalls
i haven't thought about the proper manner
but am now ready to follow your banner

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

construction programme

whose magic hands have lost their touch
such tales have not been heard under this sun
you've never had good reason to ask much

we've never let the change out of our clutch
nor will we till the carpenter is done
whose magic hands have lost their touch

what's built we're told is a large bunny-hutch
if we can coax the wild ones in the run
you've never had good reason to ask much

when we've gone out we've usually gone dutch
strained choice perhaps but he has little fun
whose magic hands have lost their touch

the proper form becomes a kind of crutch
although we've never come under the gun
you've never had good reason to ask much

so in the end we haven't tried as such
a blow from the last master would not stun
whose magic hands have lost their touch
you've never had good reason to ask much

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

under the mountain

these shadows were no warning in the past
and even less at time of solar height
so all our hopes will come to naught at last

we wait in calmness for the coming blast
each of us believing we're still in the right
these shadows were no warning in the past

not one of us has sailed before the mast
but still we're not astonished at the sight
so all our hopes will come to naught at last

far out to sea the fishers' nets are cast
the job's best done when moon is out at night
these shadows were no warning in the past

each watcher knows their power's unsurpassed
but nothing they say will ease our fright
so all our hopes will come to naught at last

the signal comes and reaches us so fast
that we are blinded by the sudden light
these shadows were no warning in the past
so all our hopes will come to naught at last

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the price of knowledge

what's been done gives the world its shape
there's nothing here that we don't truly need
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape

most of us will if we have to bow and scrape
we always seem to lack the proper speed
what's been done gives the world its shape

each of us in our minds will breast the tape
instead we pay attention to each screed
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape

we sit each in our place with mouths agape
at each new horror each new proof of greed
what's been done gives the world its shape

the ship we seek has just rounded the cape
what lies beyond may soon our spirits feed
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape

beneath each human face we find the ape
the monster that cries out in shame and need
what's been done gives the world its shape
yet every one of us seeks in vain to escape

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

Sad Boy's Sad Boy

I ruin my hats and all the mat slides glad
I hop my girls and all is skip again
I jump I run you up inside my truck

The car goes looping out in dark and light
And yellow hat slides in
I run my mats and all the girl slides glad

I hoped you skipped me into luck
And jump me black, ruin me glad
I jump I run you up inside my truck

I jump my slopes and all the dopes slide glad
I glide my luck and all is slip again
I jump my hopes and all the rope glides sad

I skip you jump the way you said
But I run old and sigh your name
I ruin my mats and all the girl slides glad

At least when luck hops it skips back again
A rune my mats and all the girls slide glad
I jump I run you up inside my truck

After "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath

(C)2007, Charles Bernstein