Moment

What is left to cling to?

What remains to say?

What is there, something solid?

What is nothing, by the way?

And the leaves wither,

the river runs dry,

empires rise, empires fall.

A breath’s lost when it’s taken.

Where did it go?

Go see the shadowed city gate,

the gate without a key;

if only walls could hold out fate,

or if our thoughts were free.

Show me leaves that never fall.

Show me summer without end.

Show me where yesterday went.

Show me a clock that never ticks.

And talk with me tomorrow when

October’s hurried past,

say there’s no time for sorrow then,

if just one moment lasts.