"Something to dare" [ballade]

Basic confusion is part of the deal
yet it astonishes even the wise
who can distinguish the false from the real?
who can unravel the truth from the lies?
Maya would bind with a bevy of ties
few are the birds who can exit the cage
desire's a cloud with a shadow of sighs
poetry's born with the turn of a page

Basic confusion is ancient and thick
eat it for breakfast and dream it at night
the rabbit is slow and the tortoise is quick
the bird is at sea and the fish is in flight
morning still dawns with its argot of light
paying its fare with a time-honored wage
evening still ushers in lyrical night
poetry's born with the turn of a page

Often the simplest things are confounding
rarely the subtlest thoughts are laid bare
often the difficulties are astounding
rarely the chains seem to vanish in air
was there a wall here we tried to repair?
was that a lion who roared with such rage?
kindness is premised on courage and care
poetry's born with the turn of a page

None are the days lacking something to dare
actors prepare as they pace on the stage
even the ushers are bowing with flair
poetry's born with the turn of a page