Spill not the bitter agent of
better sages whose pill
swallowed hard
is as a shard of words

Once whole
in their endeavors
Once right and formed
on seas warm

in days enlightened
and dreams inclined
to a time
and a purpose
heightened

without the ungracious
and unruly masses
pulling all their
mountains down

There in words
as true in deeds
Men's hearts met well
their deeper needs
with simple songs
and simpler ways
as sun rose
and forests bathed
in the light
and above the scene
of minds inclined
to draw them in

Unwind the lightning
Redress the thunder
Bring to ground
all turned under

Give rise to form
and break empty on
a reef that lives
and feeds the dawn

There the penitent
who've abandoned pride
shall hear again
from the other side

Broken bold as bold
and now reset
though cracks in the mirror
hold yesterday yet