We live off reflected reality
see ourselves in others' eyes,
our own idea of normality
sculptured by others' lies

which are in turn formed off back
of others' destroyed dreams,
all combine to hack and hack
at life's immortal stream

surround yourself with unstained glass,
of type not backed by metal,
that lets eternal light flow past
to nourish your soul's petals

by those who yearn to cultivate
the best in you and me,
those who live to set us straight
on path of G-d's country

avoid your own solipsism,
expand your own horizons,
embrace the joyful optimism
of others on their islands

hold their hand and see beyond
confines of life's upsets,
stand up tall and jump the pond
to race till gold sunset.

swirling down the drain,
seconds, minutes, hours,
wasted, good champagne,
petals o' brightest flowers

waiting for the crowds
the cheer of rousing rally
wraps up life in shrouds
as I dilly-dally

an angel and a devil
chanced upon a star
said latter 'i'll be on the level'
[it really was bizarre]

"it's time we got together
to pool our creative resource,
no, it's not some silly blether,
we've got immortal force"

"let's make a guy of us combined,
he'll be driven silly,
we'll run him out of soul and mind
from here to Piccadilly"

"ok, i'm game", said angel fair,
"Let me taste your ware",
and from that all too brief affair
was born this Voltaire

up and down and turn around
i'm being driven dizzy,
either to hell or heaven bound,
it's making my hair turn frizzy.

a word has no colour
yet word includes all,
from pale, pasty pallor
to garish, gaudy shawl

a word ignites in soul
the image of creator,
it's all within control
of poet, the dictator