The Year of Sorrow (1978)

The dynasties of greatness have passed with the winds of time

And now dust covers the floors of the royal palaces

The kings that ruled have become unpopular in view of the people

So that now they sit like idle Buddhas waiting for a slow decay

The year began with what seemed like an endless prosperity

We stood as one kingdom undivided by greed, jealousy or guilt

Our compassion was strong and love united the people

We became invincible doing and feeling what no man had before

As summer came to a close and the colors of the earth were now evident

We joined in the harvests and ate the profits yielded from the long year

Expressing our love was our greatest value and beauty was seen in all

Sitting and dreaming across sparkling waters was one of the peoples ecstasies.

But all could not last forever for now the trees have become bare

And a howling almost gruesome wind roars in from the east

It ushers in hate and evil something dreaded by the people for so long

The beauty has left and a frightened kingdom has closed their doors

To the strange surroundings now unfamiliar to them

The people knew it would come but they ignored their expectations

Evil, lies, hate, greed, jealousy and all that brings disaster to an empire

Past memories are forgotten in the frightening confusion of men at play

The desires are gone and the gods have become unfaithful 

With a strange conceitedness that no one can really contemplate

The gods now care only for themselves and want more than is needed to satisfy their greed

They have lost their sentimental beauty and their love has become cold and unfriendly

The smiles on their faces are now just a clever disguise to cover the hate within

If they are warm now it is just a frivolous heat that will soon die after their lust and greed

Has been extinguished

A new year has begun and the warm sunshine now enlightens the earth

Whether it will bring change is unknown and probably most unlikely

For we know that the cold is here to stay and will always be waiting

To trespass into our souls

Even when it slowly retreats and you look out the window to see the beauty

And sunshine of a summers day

You must always remember not to let the memories of old destroy a new dynasty

For when you see the brightness of the sun remember that a cold and damp fog

May be lingering not too far behind