COUNTERPOINT
(Intended to be read aloud by four or more persons with overlapping lines)p
Space and time reward the God of no return
Turning from the fight, the hero in disgrace
Graceful art of war; this nation’s flag will burn
Burning in the light of Sorrow’s scowling face.
Lest some interfere in moments of delight,
Light the victim’s flame; a sacrificial quest
Questioning their fear, the population’s right
Righteous but ashamed, the acid litmus test.
- and the meek …
mf
(I reveal the plan)
Helix of the fire, the Salamander fries (Flashes thru’ the choir)
Rising out of ash requires a deadly fee
(Irony falls flat)
Phoenix of desire, in catastrophic cries (Trash the funeral pyre)
Crisis for the brash, aspire to honesty.
(Art is not the law)
Ruthless in your heart in order to prevail (I shall break the seal)
Veils of tattered lies conceal the meaning true
(Heartless after all)
Truthful at the start, with all that faith entails (Rise up and be free)
Tales of least surprise will see the falsehood through
… shall inherit …
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(Earthly, like a pig)
Thrusting from the Earth; let ignorance retreat
(Strum a brief soliloquy) (No penultimate treason)
Treat the open sores with understanding trust
(Soar above the Sun)
(Hurtful lies are sown)
Rusting in the dirt, erroneous defeat (Lay the blueprints of our plan)
(Industries are overgrown) Feet of clay no more, advance our sights we must.
(More than this we can)
(Training will begin)
Tactful in restraint, the individual’s reach
, an incandescent speech (is ambition wearing thin?)
(in return to discipline) As each to his own craft, a single truthful fact
, a sin to re-enact
(Craftily we spin)
(Plainly overdue)
Action, not complaint – our duty is to teach
– a few may over-reach (A society will strive)
(Notoriety for a few) Impeach the ancient Gods, revive the mystic pact
, survive the flood intact
(Odds are one in five)
© Elwood Herring 31-7-98 revised 2-3-00
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