Farewell Address

Do gables have fables of glory and wrath
Do eyes hold promises and paths
With an anvil the frog leaps to
The next lilypad
And Lilith takes the fall for
The last cad.

Do gauntlets cast a shadow on the arm
Do lips protect a child from harm

The pulley on the guillotine serves
Every sudden movement
And Joan of Arc rises
To pay the last bit of rent.

Do wheels turn the machine
Do hands hold hopes pristine

Every year of four
The nation asks itself
These things and
So much more.