Decorated lives
shuffling onwards
towards inevitable darkness
we cloak ourselves
in the hood of love
cover the cage
deny the sky above
the truth is sadness

Tiny movements
helpless gestures
elliptical orbits
around the heart of happiness
an argument
with a river
convinced of our control
tilting the rudder
towards hope
the truth is sadness

Fold the patterned sheet
around your sleeping child
know they’ll close
the carved casket 
someday around yours
all you’ve seen
or done or sung
is gone
the truth is sadness

Zoom out, zoom out 
and it’s clear
every story is a tragedy
what came of your argument 
with the river
did you learn to love 
that strange beauty
the truth has always
been impermanence
ephemeral experience
an end to all things
the truth is sadness...