1. all I have I shall supersede
in months ahead
but treat barriers proudly, stoically

snowdrops push, no rush
the tumble-dryer’s humming
did you hear that lark?

demons, demons everywhere
I don’t care
I swear
I swear

each generation digs
for the one below
naturally, patches growing
into those of others

with flickers of Christ
and gone beyond reason
soaring and drowning
seemed one in the feeling

Fluff and Ted were there in the dark
when summer was cold
they said don’t grow old
and when each well was dry

every day, a boxing ring
every day, I feel the blows
they say to take it on the chin
I add, to bend on steady toes

every day I die a little
now each day I cry a little
for what cause heaven knows
but I must bend as cold winds blow

consider all the withered
where earth is bitter, strangled
the ragged shoots as rotten roots
just try to work the angle