I Toil Over Words

I toil over words
On pages of old books
Looking for the answers
Of the long asked questions
To hold off advancers

I toil over words
In newspapers and lines
Trying to find good news
In such hard, trying times
But never get passed views
Opposing opinions

I toil over words
Of passing and people
Listening for sad cries
Beneath convincing smiles
I try to pass the lies

I toil over words
That flow from my old pen
Looking for some meaning
In all the work I’ve done
For something redeeming
Before my life has run