(no subject)

BLUES 1

There is a misery that lasts so long
bent down with heavy loads from day to day
in burning sun, or skies of freezing gray
and out of all that pain there comes a song

that does not lighten loads, but helps endure
setting the pace to walk by. There's delight
in dour acceptance, knowing that you might
refuse, rebel, and being very sure

that you could tear down mountains with your hate
if you should choose to. But you will not yet
do anything but sing, and not regret
the time you sing. The music makes you wait

and yet grow strong. You know that you rehearse
revenge in every line of every verse.