Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn

we know that love remains the only law
our chances for survival are so clear
the waiting monster may withhold its claw

from time to time the card that we may draw
will not depress but will our moment cheer
we know that love remains the only law

though fate awaits our feet with open maw
we are not given more than we should bear
the waiting monster may withhold its claw

we test the boundaries and find no flaw
and still we find the enemy is near
we know that love remains the only law

the happy stallion sleeps on the straw
and knows that we have always held him dear
the waiting monster may withhold its claw

the truest weapon is the living jaw
and none as vital ever will appear
we know that love remains the only law
the waiting monster may withhold its claw

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

a perfect moment

the lights received at this noonday angle
auriferous leaves and these silver trees
crystalline they glitter and they spangle

we might with craft some of this peace wangle
listening to the drone of summer bees
the lights received at this noonday angle

avoiding all struggle fuss and brangle
to rise above the ones now on their knees
crystalline they glitter and they spangle

in calm heat we hope that fruit will dangle
within our reach such courtesy would please
the lights received at this noonday angle

rushing through short life what we might mangle
are all the messages brought by the breeze
crystalline they glitter and they spangle

the withes and vines will not the soul entangle
we pass through friendly nature at our ease
the lights received at this noonday angle
crystalline they glitter and they spangle

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the last mango tree

slaves built the road we think this as we pass
feet weary as so many feet before
the silent generations under grass

a woman passes smoking on an ass
she's heading towards a most welcome door
slaves built the road we think this as we pass

reaching the church too early for low mass
we pass on by wondering at the score
the silent generations under grass

too many here would harry or harass
any who dared ask for just a little more
slaves built the road we think this as we pass

too many years of blending race and class
have left the good folk sad and all too sore
the silent generations under grass

all is distorted memory's no glass
to see or to reflect on all this lore
slaves built the road we think this as we pass
the silent generations under grass

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

Turning 51

For what we are, for all the debts we owe,
we pay the bills, and the payment comes slow.

A million memories on each heart batter,
the world we have is never once the same;
we live with meanings hidden in the chatter.

On certain days, the sycophants will flatter
but they won't ever want to take the blame;
a million memories on each heart batter.

Earth passes round the sun and we get fatter,
age gives us plain excuse for present shame;
we live with meanings hidden in the chatter.

The truths that we have learned will one day shatter,
and we shall be extinguished with the flame --
a million memories on each heart batter.

Tomorrow we will think of the mad hatter
and all he said to the young future dame:
we live with meanings hidden in the chatter.

We think that what we do will surely matter
that life's much more than a most subtle game.
A million memories on each heart batter,
we live with meanings hidden in the chatter

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

no one exists alone

meaning is not inherent in the sound
we understand much more than we can say
each of us holds a tiny plot of ground

there's nothing here that you would not propound
the journey's less important than the way
meaning is not inherent in the sound

the tallest mountain's no more than a mound
which we may cross at any time of day
each of us holds a tiny plot of ground

the truth is neither simple nor profound
we are not ones who in this place may stay
meaning is not inherent in the sound

we may not look at what is left around
unless from the straight path we mean to stray
each of us holds a tiny plot of ground

nothing remains that will the few astound
who come to work and halt a while to play
meaning is not inherent in the sound
each of us holds a tiny plot of ground

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

the statesman

a single word will halt the swiftest deed
silence assents but silence always lies
not one of you but fails to come at need

we find the hero but a broken reed
when asked for labour or for quick supplies
a single word will halt the swiftest deed

there's never haste nor is there ever speed
the hero every barrier magnifies
not one of you but fails to come at need

we are required to subscribe to your creed
and kept quite faithful by your many spies
a single word will halt the swiftest deed

you will not come although we fall and bleed
blaming foul weather under clearest skies
not one of you but fails to come at need

your only virtue is a sort of greed
for all the things that decent folk despise
a single word will halt the swiftest deed
not one of you but fails to come at need

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

there's no relief

from flower to flower the hummingbird will flit
seeking the nectar to sustain its flight
while i can't find the truest vein of wit

there's no place now that is not hotly lit
by a harsh searing hateful sort of light
from flower to flower the hummingbird will flit

you seek in vain to find the place where split
the rock and water gushes into sight
while i can't find the truest vein of wit

up on the branch a cawing crow may sit
its voice announcing both envy and spite
from flower to flower the hummingbird will flit

you think that i just do not have the grit
to sit down on my arse and simply write
while i can't find the truest vein of wit

the fact is this you're simply full of shit
you have no purpose and your mind's not bright
from flower to flower the hummingbird will flit
while i can't find the truest vein of wit

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

watching the mercury

you are not watching but it still must rise
outside folk are prostrated by the heat
rain will not fall from the brass-hearted skies

the hungry bird from shade to shade still flies
into the woody shadows we retreat
you are not watching but it still must rise

we cannot hear the angry and dark cries
of creatures that are forced to walk the beat
rain will not fall from the brass-hearted skies

perhaps around there lurk some patient spies
feeling the pain from their ant-bitten feet
you are not watching but it still must rise

what happens each day cannot us surprise
we're long inured to hurt and to defeat
rain will not fall from the brass-hearted skies

dread visions rise to haunt our minds and eyes
with hope and happiness we shall not meet
you are not watching but it still must rise
rain will not fall from the brass-hearted skies

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

no matter what

we crave the honesty of simple light
eyes are unfocused and our minds asleep
day fades insensibly into dull night

what's seen we note with other than plain sight
the stream is shallow but the well is deep
we crave the honesty of simple light

a bird's glimpsed blue and scarlet in mid-flight
from earth to heaven's but a single leap
day fades insensibly into dull night

what was made wrong will soon be set aright
through the slow work we will with hope now creep
we crave the honesty of simple light

the chance of suffering is never so slight
as that of finding what we cannot keep
day fades insensibly into dull night

the day will end although the noon is bright
what's sown by us others will one day reap
we crave the honesty of simple light
day fades insensibly into dull night

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

into the elfin realm

a simple thought will sometimes catch true fire
no magic needed just a sudden flash
and we will have the powers that we require

the world we get imperfect and entire
but through it we just seem to haste and dash
a simple thought will sometimes catch true fire

glass you mistake for ruby or sapphire
a little moment and you all go smash
and we will have the powers that we require

your hearts to nothing always may aspire
but we will not be present at the crash
a simple thought will sometimes catch true fire

we wonder sometimes why we are not higher
seeing our enemies have failed at splash
and we will have the powers that we require

we find the law is the result of ire
our purpose calls for constant ready cash
a simple thought will sometimes catch true fire
and we will have the powers that we require

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

barking up the wrong horse

a table set for many may still wait
upon a late arrival shedding tears
it's just the proper time to fly the gate

tides and high surges one day may abate
the system does not have too many spares
a table set for many may still wait

there is no record safe kept on a slate
the watcher is the one who never stares
it's just the proper time to fly the gate

a day or two and there's an empty plate
left by the one who on true journey fares
a table set for many may still wait

we are the ones who will keep proper state
and yet must avoid giving ourselves airs
it's just the proper time to fly the gate

we struggle onwards always blaming fate
not one of us for travel now prepares
a table set for many may still wait
it's just the proper time to fly the gate

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

in the midst of all

all that is shallow we here now embrace
we're far outside the normal human zone
the lie is stamped so clearly on each face

far from our hearts are normal signs of grace
we've worn our fingers down to weary bone
all that is shallow we here now embrace

the rabbit's loose and every dog gives chase
while laughed at by the maiden and the crone
the lie is stamped so clearly on each face

wisdom will not ever such fools displace
nor are their hearts much warmer than a stone
all that is shallow we here now embrace

hours come and go but we shall leave no trace
not even echoes on the telephone
the lie is stamped so clearly on each face

above us stars cycle through empty space
each one of them will live and die alone
all that is shallow we here now embrace
the lie is stamped so clearly on each face

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

humanity marches on

we aren't the ones to hold the gate in place
while herds pass through to better grazing land
that's not the purpose of the human race

the cattle will breathe right into your face
and still not take the fruit from out your hand
we aren't the ones to hold the gate in place

we can't allow the beasts to force the pace
they have to learn just who is in command
that's not the purpose of the human race

after the workday no time to embrace
unless the meeting is most subtly planned
we aren't the ones to hold the gate in place

none of us is quite sure just what's the case
nor if the small stream with a bridge is spanned
that's not the purpose of the human race

once we are started no one should give chase
although our full aim was for long time banned
we aren't the ones to hold the gate in place
that's not the purpose of the human race

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

long applause

a sound of water flowing over rocks
we seem to waken from too long a sleep
our world is broken by too many shocks

old men will shave to hide their hoary locks
the reason it turns out is not too deep
a sound of water flowing over rocks

each of us hides our secrets in a box
but they stale easy and will never keep
our world is broken by too many shocks

no one will laugh we fear the one who mocks
because so many of us turn to sheep
a sound of water flowing over rocks

the proudest will be clapped into the stocks
as they have sown so must they ever reap
our world is broken by too many shocks

the fleet is lying ready at the docks
it will take longer than a sudden leap
a sound of water flowing over rocks
our world is broken by too many shocks

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

beyond dreamland

the choices we have never turn out fair
there's always some bizarre and hateful twist
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

we give no credence to the skillful player
but keep a stone hidden in the back fist
the choices we have never turn out fair

a goblin grabs us going up the stair
yet we rejoice because we think he missed
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

naughty spirits want to grab us by the hair
and leave us feeling that we have been kissed
the choices we have never turn out fair

things we discover do much more than scare
no mortal snake it was that last night hissed
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

we wander round the hills sunburned and bare
somebody somewhere has compiled a list
the choices we have never turn out fair
honesty has been squeezed out of the air

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

signifiers drift

write out some words and they will make all true
a moment's silence fills the hungry space
facts do not depend on your point of view

the one who loses always turns the screw
on hopeful winners of the human race
write out some words and they will make all true

another answer will not make things new
connections do not just create a place
facts do not depend on your point of view

all sorts of meats give flavour to the stew
we always seem to want to feed the face
write out some words and they will make all true

what moistens in the morning is not dew
each passing being wants to leave a trace
facts do not depend on your point of view

not one who listens ever thinks it through
we gain in pleasure but we lose in grace
write out some words and they will make all true
facts do not depend on your point of view

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

reaching for shadows

we measure truth in very simple ways
process is not one that truly matters
we ask for little in these weary days

the sun destroys us with life-giving rays
upon our heads each photon still batters
we measure truth in very simple ways

we long for seas lapping on sandy bays
and for a shape that soft moonlight flatters
we ask for little in these weary days

the heat and sunlight anyone might craze
listening for clash of empty platters
we measure truth in very simple ways

we can escape from any complex maze
hope remains behind in shreds and tatters
we ask for little in these weary days

we are just characters in tragic plays
each of us merely argues and patters
we measure truth in very simple ways
we ask for little in these weary days

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

weather gauge

winds travel where they want though they may pause
yet we know they are never truly still
nature will not obey mere human laws

upon the student's arse no one plies taws
there's no restriction on the infant will
winds travel where they want though they may pause

no one now needs the wise old people's saws
nor is there fear that we will get the bill
nature will not obey mere human laws

the old ones watch and anger fills their craws
there's now a railway line goes up the hill
winds travel where they want though they may pause

here one who ought to speak out hems and haws
and hopes that hearts will answer more than nil
nature will not obey mere human laws

never before has none upheld the cause
of simple justice and of wisdom's quill
winds travel where they want though they may pause
nature will not obey mere human laws

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

brighter horizons

the rules make room for little but the past
we aren't supposed to question nor demand
on the slow stream our messages are cast

a different day will come upon us fast
what means we'll have had better be to hand
the rules make room for little but the past

at times we will just have to stand aghast
at every change that comes upon the land
on the slow stream our messages are cast

too many years we've served before the mast
and now they cast us off when we can't stand
the rules make room for little but the past

no place to hide and surely comes the blast
when an end comes it will be safely planned
on the slow stream our messages are cast

no matter what the choices are not vast
what might have been will certainly be banned
the rules make room for little but the past
on the slow stream our messages are cast

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister

eyes in the smog

the smaller fire may leave the greater burn
choices are narrowed to a point of dust
we live and breathe but never seem to learn

what choice we have we always want to spurn
those factors that would lead to love and trust
the smaller fire may leave the greater burn

far out at sea we hope a storm may churn
while here the earth has grown a thicker crust
we live and breathe but never seem to learn

our bodies will each fit into an urn
and we the living find that so unjust
the smaller fire may leave the greater burn

we can fake truth we even fake concern
and then our shining armour falls to rust
we live and breathe but never seem to learn

for other worlds we always seem to yearn
what hopes we have may explode and combust
the smaller fire may leave the greater burn
we live and breathe but never seem to learn

(C)2007, Fragano Ledgister