Something beautiful, something good

There must be something good to be done
There must be a good race to be run
For this collection of periodical sinning
Knows nothing of all the graces within

It doesn’t have to be taut, nor deadpan
It doesn’t even have to rhyme, though it can
It just needs to be beautiful somehow
So charmed, let it rise, and may it not bow

It doesn’t have to put on airs, nor a face
It doesn’t have to be timed, nor encased
It just needs to flow straight to the heart
So let it be shared, and let it restart

Don’t think of me as one you’re to save
Don’t think of how your duty enslaves
For a soul compelled to sing-along
Believes nothing of the birds’ sweeter song

I could create something beautiful, though I know
Not the day or the hour it should come
Manifesting from nowhere something good, to show
Heaven’s eyes behind a loving artist’s thumb

Don’t think of me out of pity, in misery
Don’t think I’ll have trouble spelling ‘usury’
For I want to perform some beautiful good thing
Feeling with good heart the poor freeman sing

It doesn’t have to rant, doesn’t have to rave
It doesn’t have to be mimed, nor engraved
It just needs to thrill the air with its breath
So let it be said, and let it cheat death

It doesn’t have to be bought, nor planned
It doesn’t have to reward, though it can
It just needs to be good somehow
So trusted, arise from the blocks, and allow

There must be some beautiful race to be run
There must be a beautiful face in the sun
For this message the preacher’s been spinning
Loves nothing of me, but only of winning