Fruitless Labors

Advance three paces forward and slip three paces back
There are words to be forgotten and statements to retract
For each and every action, there’s one to counteract
Rendered useless, futile strivings, all for naught
Exact a small emolument, it never will be paid
Construct a flawless argument, it will not win the day
Erect a concrete monument, and it will wash away
Fruitless labors, wasted hours, down the drain
There are roads to be eroded and slates to be erased
Buildings to demolish, reputations to disgrace
Why was I surprised at my unlucky star’s rebound
I once was found, but now I am lost and wound up in a lost-and-found
The wind will blow down windmills, unbending truths will bend
Abide by words of wisdom, yet meet a foolish end
A trial by trial-and-error, now start all over again
All for nothing, goose-egg zero, all in vain
But still I have the comfort of knowing when I die
That I will be among the choirs of angels up on high
Gently hovering o’er a cloud, I’ll sing euphoniously
And strum upon a golden harp for all of eternity
A font of healing waters will soon become impure
A life of noble struggle will soon become obscure
Whatever your endeavor, it will yet be undone
Fruitless labors, fruitless efforts, fruitless toil
But still one must take courage, despair one must resist
For only for so long inclement weather can persist
Partly sunny, fair and mild, I heard the radio say
I’ll call upon my fair-weather friends and fritter the day away