The Wall

 

Build a wall and make it strong,

Paint it bright, absurd and gay.

Stay behind and watch the folk

Smugly smile and pass your way.

 

Circus walls – a clown behind –

Take no notice what they say.

Let them mock and point their finger,

Go their smug and noisy way.

 

Yours to think and laugh and suffer

In your paradise and hell.

Keep them out – they’ll be content

To see the pretty painted shell.

 

Searing doubt and sick despair,

Throbbing joy and puzzled pain.

Why, oh why this senseless riddle –

Dead, alive – and dead again?

 

Worry till your mind is creaking,

Till your soul is etched with scars.

Grey with torment seek the answer –

In the grave and in the stars.

 

Seek it in immortal music,

In the wildest rocks and hills:

Ask the ageing and the lonely,

Ask the power that maims and kills.

 

Watch a thousand laughing creatures

Stare surprised, then twist and fall.

Just a futile glimpse before you

Die behind your painted wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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