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Poems of Shape and Motion Lyrics by Linton Kwesi Johnson

More Time

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I was wondering if I could shape this passion
Just as I wanted in solid fire
I was wondering if the strange combustion of my days
The tension of the world inside of me
And the strength of my heart were enough
I was wondering if I could stand as tall
While the tide of the sea rose and fell
If the sky would recede as I went
Or the earth would emerge as I came
To the door of the morning, locked against the sun
I was wondering if I could make myself
Nothing but fire, pure and incorruptible
The wound of the wind on my face
Would be healed by the work of my life
Or the growth of the pain in my sleep
Would be stopped in the strife of my days
I am wondering if the agony of years
Could be traced to the seed of an hour
If the roots that spread out in the swamp
Ran too deep for the issuing flower
I was wondering if I could find myself
All that I am in all that I could be
If all the population of stars
Would be less than the things I could utter
And the challenge of space in my soul
Be filled by the shape I become
I walk slowly in the wind
Watching myself in things I did not make;
In jumping shadows and in limping cripples
Dust on earth and houses tight with sickness
Deep constant pain, the dream without sleep
I walk slowly in the wind
Hearing myself in the loneliness of a child
In woman's grief, which is not understood
In coughing dogs when midnight lingers long
On stones, on streets and then on echoing stars
That burn all night and suddenly go out
I walk slowly in the wind
Knowing myself in every moving thing
In years and days and words that mean so much
Strong hands that shake, long roads that walk
And deeds that do themselves
And all this world and all these lives to live
I walk slowly in the wind
Remembering scorn and naked men in darkness
And huts of iron rivetted to earth
Cold huts of iron stand upon this earth
Like rusting prisons
Each is well marked and each wide roof is spread
Like some dark wing
Casting a shadow or living a curse
I walk slowly in the wind
To lifted sunset red and gold and dim
A long brown river slanting to an ocean
A fishing boat, a man who cannot drown
I walk slowly in the wind
And birds are swift, the sky is blue like silk
From the big sweeping ocean of water
An iron ship rusted and brown achors itself
And the long river runs like a snake
Silent and smooth
I walk slowly in the wind
I hear my footsteps echoing down the tide
Echoing like a wave on the sand or a wing on the wind
Echoing echoing
A voice in the soul, a laugh in the funny silence
I walk slowly in the wind
I walk because I cannot crawl or fly
Credits
Linton Kwesi Johnson

Linton Kwesi Johnson

About “Poems of Shape and Motion” by Linton Kwesi Johnson

Read the complete lyrics to "Poems of Shape and Motion" by Linton Kwesi Johnson from the album "More Time". On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Pop.

"Poems of Shape and Motion" is performed by Linton Kwesi Johnson. from the album "More Time" This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "Poems of Shape and Motion", explore more songs by Linton Kwesi Johnson using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"Poems of Shape and Motion" is credited to Linton Kwesi Johnson. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"Poems of Shape and Motion" appears on "More Time".

Visit the Linton Kwesi Johnson artist page at /artist/linton-kwesi-johnson for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.