Rise and Fall

-I-
Rise and fall
I’ve seen civilizations
Rise and fall
Built on the backs of those stronger than me
Their buildings rose
As their spirits fell
Into hands bigger than mine
Stronger than mine
Run by men smaller than me
Built so that they could be stronger than me
And I watched them fall
Onto their knees hoping to stop the fall
Because hope was gone
And things became less civilized
Because they saw the rise and fall
Of their little lives

-II-

Rise and fall
I’ve seen people’s lives
Rise and fall
Moving to the music that’s too hard for most to hear
Too slow for us who move
Too fast for us who stay
And the melody undulates as the rhythm
Rises and falls
In the smiles and tears
Of those who are just trying to live, love, be
With the one they love
With the one who makes them live
And makes their hearts jump to that
Unpredictable rhythm
And rise and fall
To that melody

-III-

Rise and fall
I remember when our bodies used to
Rise and fall
Mimicking the tide
We would hear outside
Coming and going like a weary traveler
Memorizing the lines of the land
And the lines of my hand
Tell me I should love you
And say that this love will be cut short
But I can’t resist the rise and fall
Of your body against mine
Under the light of a crescent moon
Rising and falling
With the daunting threat of day