The aspects of visions are many,
and in addition there are
    reflections, illusions and hallucinations.

If some can be shared,
            that makes us less alone.
If the dark can be faced,
            that makes us less afraid.
If we accept sight,
            then that makes us more visible.

I feel the city caging me like an animal;
I am crushed by the weight of the system,
but still can raise a - human - shout
                              against it.
I feel the tension of doubt surge in me,
        the release of eye-on-eye love,
        the loss of childhood idols and aspirations;
I clutch the transitory prizes
        of knowledge and unspoken faith.
I feel the torch in my hand,
the spark in my heart,
and I must carry both as long as I can.

We all have our torches;
but lone flames-bearers do not
make a procession of humanity.

It has been, and remains, my hope
that through songs visions
       can be shared and enhanced.

As for me,
disappearing like the Cheshire Cat
with hardly even my smile intact,
I still can look at you
only through the camera.

There is more urgent vision than that.

                     Listen to yourself.

                                             Peter Hammill

                                             London - 1 Nov 1977