HALF PAST THE EMPIRE
It is half past the empire
and all is not well,
I wonder that I should
flee to hell.
It is half past the empire
I had best be hurrying my way,
There is not much time
to grasp what you say.
It is half past the empire
And all is fair in war,
I question that man
can fly to heaven.
It is half past the empire
I should like be in duller times,
There is nothing you can say
to make mine a better day.
November 20, 1968