Democracy - from Songbook for the Church of the Undammed - copyright 1986

The stars are so elusive
through the artificial twilight.
The city's incandescence
mocks the ancient fires.
But stars have burned, and do, and will -
for eons before and far beyond -
these flames that leap
so cold and quick
between steel spires.

The truths are all conclusive
though the lies appear so bright.
And pity, in its essence,
walks and never tires.
For it has learned to do and will
compassion for and far beyond
the lame, the weak,
the old, and sick
amidst stark briars.

Know now we mouthe
with such small tongue
a fragment of the arc of time.

We strive to emulate;
succeed to imitate;
yet, fail to find
the simple rhyme
that drops of dew
have often sung.