The Expedition

Off we go, forbidden friend,
Far-off beyond the yonder,
Let us in quiet make our bed
And pray for merry weather.

Let us sigh for lovers lost
Who may not have existed
Let us recount those rotting bones
Whose memory persisted.

Let us pretend we do not still
Attempt to count the stars.
Should this land hold a Christian grave,
Let’s let that grave be ours.

Off we go, forbidden friend,
This world has grown too small.
Let us in quiet wonder when
The other man will fall.

You and I do not create,
But let us claim this land.
Let us in quiet make our home
With our ungodly hands.

Let us make a promise now
That each will keep the other
This world’s a world too big for me,
My dear, my sweet, my brother.

So let us match this cruel earth
Tooth for tooth and eye.
I am no coward, but so strong –
So strong – so hard to die.