Say Nothing of Me

Have you been marching to the different beat
(Pace Thoreau) of some unpublished drum?
Have you been hearing for too long the hum
Of some ridiculous French horn? How sweet
The sound that hasn't saved a soul, a seat,
Or seven cents. Has falsehood made you numb?
Have you been mute, or are you merely dumb?
We push the speaking hands towards defeat.

Tell no one. You can't understand the noise.
Adhere to quiet, say nothing of me.
There are events that happen soundlessly,
Like deep water's intoxicating joys:
Recall the silence of the harbour buoys
When both of us were swimming out to sea.

Days of Chronicity

Corruption having taken over things,
You take your armour and your shield to bed,
To work, on dates, and soldering in the shed.
It's not a simple gift, those five gold rings:
They constitute a bribe. Your underlings
Are trying to indict you. They have said
You offered candy, that they were misled.
Deny it, but the smell of ordure clings.

The birds, the milkmaids, and the leaping lords
Jump to convict us, the ingenuous.
Who knew their cries would be so strenuous?
They've obviously strained their vocal cords,
The way they're shouting, waving wooden swords,
And neighing. Still, your shield is tenuous.