The Matter of Principle

The Matter of Principle

The period of principles can last

No more than winking years, or a decade.

Soon we must count our way to first from last.

Narrow your comprehensions of the past

As if in our grand-throated gasconade

The period of principles can last.

Though ballots will continue to be cast,

Though cheers yell honestly at the parade

Soon we must count our way to first from last.

Only when flag and comfort have harassed

An earnesty into our loud charade

The period of principles can last.

It is like counting sheep. The light has passed. 

The mind has got to sleep or break unmade. 

Soon we must count our way to first from last. 

Remembering what we have had to blast

Will mark the fool. The wise should be afraid

The period of principles can last. 

But soon we count our way from first to last.