The Refusal of the Call

i saw visionary sights
moons reflected, perfect nights
the ocean sleeping serene and clean
the stars all majick jumping beans

to the sea in early morning
i was each day quite newly born
into the waters, cleansed and clear
arising from the waves, no fear

sleeping in the noonday sun
playing catch upon the run
the temple had no hold on me
i was inside eternity

that was a time of eden
that was a time of freedom
that was a time, a time all mine
that was a time so long ago
after breaking all the locks
looking inside my treasure box
the gem, the jewel, the heart of hearts
was something hidden at the start
that was time, a time all mine
that was a time so long ago

a prince of paupers, an errant knight
who turned away from the good fight
i ran away and left it all
my own refusal of the call

you cannot lecture the old men
you cannot make them young again
the best thing that you may yet do
is love someone quite near to you

there are children at the gate
they all run off, though one may stay
if there is wisdom, take this one clue:
be kind and listen, don't be rude
the child at the secret gate
just needs a hand, this is your fate

that was a time of eden
that was a time of freedom
that was a time, a time all mine
that was a time so long ago
after breaking all the locks
looking inside my treasure box
the gem, the jewel, the heart of hearts
was something hidden at the start
that was time, a time all mine
that was a time so long ago

a prince of paupers, an errant knight
who turned away from the good fight
i ran away and left it all
my own refusal of the call