after the kingdom's end

    those who withhold their word have much to trust
    so many silences will soon unfold
    we let the gold and silver sink in dust

    the gates and fences turn in time to rust
    it is the normal weight of heat and cold
    those who withhold their word have much to trust

    a little honor left here to adjust
    since each must do only what he is told
    we let the gold and silver sink in dust

    yet you had ordered us about and fussed
    expected much and warned us to be bold
    those who withhold their word have much to trust

    we blame ourselves in our own disgust
    at finding that we have been bought and sold
    we let the gold and silver sink in dust

    what's honest hides out beneath the crust
    and will not vanish even when we're old
    those who withhold their word have much to trust
    we let the gold and silver sink in dust

(C)2008, Ledgister Fragano