and the lights lie tumbled out like gems

the moon is nothing but a toothless grin

floating out on the evening wind

the smell of sweat and lube oil pervades the night

and the rush of life in flight at the speed of light



a million footsteps whispering

a guitar sounds -- some voices sing

smoke on the breeze -- eyes that sting

far in the east a yellow cloud bank climbs

stretching away to be part of tomorrow's time.



earthbound while everything expands

so many grains of sand

slipping from hand to hand

catching the light and falling into dark

the world fades out like an overheard remark

in the falling dark.



light pours from a million radiant lives

off of kids and dogs and the hard-shelled husbands and wives

all that glory shining around and we're all caught taking a dive

and all the beasts of the hills around shout, "such a waste!

don't you know that from the first to the last we're all one in the gift of Grace!"



(Ottawa 9/3/76