manifestations

another word another kind of name
into the pot they go and we divide
what's won is what gets us out of the game

all vision comes down to the proper frame
we have to learn and cannot simply chide
another word another kind of name

the dancers stop when they become quite lame
and cannot long continue on the ride
what's won is what gets us out of the game

each moment comes another kind of flame
it's kept on going out of urgent pride
another word another kind of name

no fear will ever freeze us nor no shame
we have no reason to pause or to hide
what's won is what gets us out of the game

the wild will always yield unto the tame
that's the great secret we all keep inside
another word another kind of name
what's won is what gets us out of the game

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

beyond the sheltered places

what we'll inspire i'm sure we'll never know
our task is simple just to plant the tree
we're not responsible for how it'll grow

choices are made in high summer or snow
great certainties about worlds that should be
what we'll inspire i'm sure we'll never know

no giant changes no swift overthrow
enough to work that mind develops free
we're not responsible for how it'll grow

reasons abound to take things very slow
for what we plant we'll surely never see
what we inspire i'm sure we'll never know

to watch out for the vulture and the crow
is others' task ours is to do not flee
we're not responsible for how it'll grow

we're on a river that's in constant flow
the thing we give is no more than a key
what we inspire i'm sure we'll never know
we're not responsible for how it'll grow

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

what's there to come

the ground cries out for rain to bring the green
a storm's great power speaks to each human heart
no miracles may hide in the unseen

each face looks back to what they hoped had been
and watches as the swift birds dance and dart
the ground cries out for rain to bring the green

against the wall we sigh and easy lean
nothing seems easy when you have to start
no miracles may hide in the unseen

this plant that grows from just a single bean
will in time bring a huge crop to the mart
the ground cries out for rain to bring the green

we wonder if when aged we'll be as keen
as once we were and if we'll be as smart
no miracles may hide in the unseen

there's no chance to become a king or queen
all we can do depends on our own art
the ground cries out for rain to bring the green
no miracles may hide in the unseen

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

closing the book

all stories end leaving the future blank
each reader shapes their thought into the tale
not thinking of just whom they ought to thank

who keeps their money in a secure bank
frets not at all about purchase or sale
all stories end leaving the future blank

i hear the apparatus creak and clank
folk seem to hang upon a rusty nail
not thinking of just whom they ought to thank

the world we make's not dull dreary or dank
we are the heroes and we shall not fail
all stories end leaving the future blank

when demons fall into the purging tank
people just stand in silence by the rail
not thinking of just whom they ought to thank

the millions seem to pass us rank by rank
safe from the heat and sheltered from the gale
all stories end leaving the future blank
not thinking of just whom they ought to thank

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

ghosts on the grave

the laughing voice says nothing could be wrong
each look outside to see the gathering cloud
we shake our heads and then demand more song

day's all too short and nights are ever long
we hate the silence play the music loud
the laughing voice says nothing could be wrong

we curse the weak and still envy the strong
define ourselves as haughty stiff and proud
we shake our heads and then demand more song

we hate the ones who won't come on along
but then we're frightened when we see a crowd
the laughing voice says nothing could be wrong

each of us fears the fire and the sharp prong
but cannot now retreat because we've vowed
we shake our heads and then demand more song

we're driven mad by thoughts of angry throng
making demands for more than we've allowed
the laughing voice says nothing could be wrong
we shanke our heads and then demand more song

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

rolling the dice

in all their brilliance they cannot wait
for one who knows the truth and lets it go
we face each day with a well-written slate

we name the hazard chance and never fate
accepting that there's much we have to know
in all their brilliance they cannot wait

each circle closes shutting off a gate
the winner is the one who's never slow
we face each day with a well-written slate

they play the game and never reach checkmate
with fullest understanding of the flow
in all their brilliance they cannot wait

once raging fires are now banked in each grate
you see in every place their fading glow
we face each day with a well-written slate

facing the truth we know we've got it straight
there's room for patience till the final blow
in all their brilliance they cannot wait
we face each day with a well-written slate

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

seeing through walls

a share of time requires some careful thought
between the sun and moon there's little dark
not one of us just wants to count for naught

there are some matters where an overwrought
mind will not see the signal nor the mark
a share of time requires some careful thought

those who came willing and those brought
think of this place as some sort of tame park
not one of us just wants to count for naught

no vital lessons learned and no classes taught
can prepare one for the onset of each shark
a share of time requires some careful thought

a moment comes and then we have been caught
in the tight trap when we thought to skylark
not one of us just wants to count for naught

this world of ours with many terrors fraught
seems a tall tree with harsh and brutal bark
a share of time requires some careful thought
not one of us just wants to count for naught

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

under the eaves

swift lightning's in the corner of my eye
rain runs with haste down the slight hill
with more of it to come from the low sky

a single leaf goes floating swiftly by
the water's following the builder's will
swift lightning's in the corner of my eye

each of us moves as if we were still spry
the water flows and cannot yet stay still
with more of it to come from the low sky

smiling and waving though we're very shy
we watch the neighbours pass knowing the drill
swift lightning's in the corner of my eye

the distant hills now don't seem very high
the water's cleansing them for good or ill
with more of it to come from the low sky

rain comes as truth to wash away the lie
the momentary pain's gone in the spill
swift lightning's in the corner of my eye
with more or it to come from the low sky

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

gone past the lilacs

at any time we may require some sign
of what is meant by those who speak
the way to go is never soft and fine

crawling out of the darkened mine
we know ourselves to be truly the weak
at any time we may require some sign

we straighten much more than the spine
the smallest bird will have the sharpest beak
the way to go is never soft and fine

to what dark fate we may our hearts resign
all futures from this place seem just as bleak
at any time we may require some sign

the brightest thought now turns out malign
the brave runs away faster than the meek
the way to go is is never soft and fine

thus and no other way we find the line
there's nothing here that anyone would seek
at any time we may require some sign
the way to go is never soft and fine

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

nothing stands still

words pour in rivers over a dry waste
meaning involves a different sort of sense
towards the rising moon we make our haste

on narrow hopes our images are based
that serves to make them even more intense
words pour in rivers over a dry waste

we come to understanding all uncased
the still looms before us all immense
towards the rising moon we make our haste

the past we find will never be erased
truth is not always the supreme defence
words pour in rivers over a dry waste

over the hills old goblins we have chased
and trapped them all against the final fence
towards the rising moon we make our haste

we know we need a greater thing than taste
wisdom will cease when we have gone hence
words pour in rivers over a dry waste
towards the rising moon we make our haste

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

so we commemorate

we know the sacred names and when to cheer
all who parade seem warm and proud
the burden is just light enough to bear

what now we loathe was once dear
and drew the happy plaudits of the crowd
we know the names and when to cheer

the whole of us running from front to rear
knew well the field that we had freshly ploughed
the burden is just light enough to bear

we did not need the prophet and the seer
to list for us in what we were endowed
we know the sacred names and when to cheer

the journey's to be made in proper gear
we will march upright and will not be cowed
the burden is just light enough to bear

the face we show is never too severe
it never shows too angry or too proud
we know the sacred names and when to cheer
the burden is just light enough to bear

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the poem itself

words should taste sweet upon the tongue
there's magic as they fall upon the ear
when sense has from the sound been wrung

the power does not reside within the lung
nor does it end when one is on the bier
words should taste sweet upon the tongue

the world's a better place for being sung
the furthest places are made to come near
when sense has from the sound been wrung

the bell's the better once it has been rung
the world once spoken will become more dear
words should taste sweet upon the tongue

the bag of winds has been tied up and slung
back in the cave together with the seer
when sense has from the sound been wrung

upon the tree the wise one long has hung
he'd rather go and laugh into his beer
words should taste sweet upon the tongue
when sense has from the sound been wrung

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

fall of the cities

a sudden spurt of wind will move the dust
we'll see it spin and give it an odd name
and when it rains the fence will start to rust

there's nothing noble here nothing august
we cower and hide and all deny our shame
a sudden spurt of wind will move the dust

the world was great but now it is a bust
only fumes now where once there was flame
and when it rains the fence will start to rust

dead leaves are animated by a little gust
and when it stops all seems just the same
a sudden spurt of wind will move the dust

we know that all our ends couldn't be just
with no reward we'll all cease being tame
and when it rains the fence will start to rust

we needed truth but we received no trust
the whole thing was another futile game
a sudden spurt of wind will move the dust
and when it rains the fence will start to rust


(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

what can be certified

a look outside may still deceive the eye
we aren't as sure of what we see and know
the world at times just seems to be a lie

at times we just have to break down and cry
so many things to do and far to go
a look outside may still deceive the eye

into our hearts the powers that be will pry
and then they'll take the chance to laugh and crow
the world at times just seems to be a lie

we might as well just watch things passing by
kick back our feet and just enjoy the show
a look outside may still deceive the eye

our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are wry
we bend our necks and wait the fatal blow
the world at times just seems to be a lie

let others choose to let their joy just die
we won't go fast we'll learn to take it slow
a look outside may still deceive the eye
the world at times just seems to be a lie

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the king needs a sandwich

i am the greatest ruler and i need to eat
but servants just ignore me as they pass
still the whole world is prostrate at my feet

the noblest flower shall base infection meet
its value becomes equal with dry grass
i am the greatest ruler and i need to eat

brown waters pass me they are far too fleet
and the quick shimmers seem as sharp as glass
still the whole world is prostrate at my feet

the loudest cheers my dullest speeches greet
each human who speaks out seems such an ass
i am the greatest ruler and i need to eat

this pliant supplication seems to me so sweet
weepers i punish and submitters i harass
still the whole world is prostrate at my feet

justice and mercy i have made retreat
i proclaim gold what others say is brass
i am the greatest ruler and i need to eat
still the whole world is prostrate at my feet

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

when warmth repels

not one of us but hopes for better days
the world we have is always in bad shape
we act and we spectate in the same plays

the sun will weigh us down with brightest rays
we feel the heat as a gigantic scrape
not one of us but hopes for better days

it doesn't matter under that bright blaze
whether we are the clothed or naked ape
we act and we spectate in the same plays

we hope for relief from this constant haze
our backs are bent and our mouths agape
not one of us but hopes for better days

the truth is that this is no passing phase
we're seeing the result of a great rape
we act and we spectate in the same plays

for all of us there's always the same gaze
from which we know that there is no escape
not one of us but hopes for better days
we act and we spectate in the same plays

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

unproscribed

at some point we will run beyond the writ
into the vacant spaces where night rules
and to survive you need far more than wit

i know you're laughing as you easy sit
and thinking those of us who work are fools
at some point we will run beyond the writ

you think that none of us have got the grit
or that we simply cannot find the tools
and to survive you need far more than wit

your heart is empty and your mouth will spit
fresh venom at the ones whom you call mules
at some point we will run beyond the writ

unlike you we know that we've been hit
by those whose raging anguish never cools
and to survive you need far more than wit

the path before us seldom has been lit
but each of us has learned much in the schools
at some point we will run beyond the writ
and to survive you need far more than wit

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

roads going on

no matter just how hard they make the climb
all that we must do is work and endure
the highest mountain will be passed in time

all who toil know they bring home grime
they know that it's not easy to be pure
no matter just how hard they make the climb

those who can speak those who can't just mime
uncertainty is normal the wise are never sure
the highest mountain will be passed in time

we know that moments come that are sublime
and others that demand we be demure
no matter just how hard we make the climb

to worry every day we're past our prime
is something for the which there is no cure
the highest mountain will be passed in time

not one of us will wait to hear the chime
the fruit we seek has yet to be mature
no matter just how hard we make the climb
the highest mountain will be passed in time

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

distorting mirrors

the glass that shatters now was never whole
you aren't expected to deal with such tripe
each one of us has to relearn their role

the diligent know they'll score goal after goal
there's always something coming down the pipe
the glass that shatters now was never whole

we burrow onwards everyone's a mole
worried we know about the ones who snipe
each one of us has to relearn their role

with all the punches we know we must roll
but still in spite of facts we need to gripe
the glass that shatters now was never whole

only the liars will say they never stole
or else they'll use a euphemism like swipe
each one of us has to relearn their role

the whole of life comes down to a small dole
we wonder why its fruits never come ripe
the glass that shatters now was never whole
each one of us has to relearn their role

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister