The Progress

and those flames devour all!



we fear not the flood, we fear not the drought

we fear not the peak, nor the valley ensuing



we do not fear the song

we only fear its end

we only fear its consummation



when we were young

our mothers looked with our eyes

out and over everything

oh, those wide fields of tall wheat

and, oh, those busy streets



wet with the night,

and bright! with traffic lights

how they mean to inspire

how they mean to tell of a firm stand against time,

to tell the children that their lights can never fade,

and the words we heard our father's speak

were a thread so sweet

it is covered in ants, still strung over our heads, across this land



but now, such strange fates!

our dearest sweetest hope has died,

how lovingly she held us as we slept

how motherly she cupped those tired hands over our waking eyes,

how she has grown so still, pouring softly the tears that we cry.



soon, friends, you most bury her in your chests as i have in mine

and rise, rise, rise, rise

for though the moments press now on our heels and households like the waves,

with a fearful vigil, we have turned to face the coming tides

only to find that such oceans have dried



oh fates, you were so unwise!

if our mothers have taught us anything, it is that there is no shame in a fading light

but instead, a pale worldly beauty

so be tired, good children

be tired, but be strong, in a word: persevere

for the dimmer the light, the longer it shines when we are gone.