Parcae

in time and space aside from this
the fates do weave their tapestry
they twist and turn the threads about
they spin the loom majestically

from staff to spindle Clotho ran
the starting of the thread of life
the empty tablet clean and bare
unblemished by mans joy or strife

Lachesis is a fickle fate
her ruler measured lifes true worth
the time great deeds are said and done
within our hours upon the earth

and Atropos with bony hand
snip-snips her gleaming abhorred shears
to slice the thread with sudden switch
and mark an ending to the years

bear well in mind these women three
whose task is long and late
and infinitely carried out
upon the loom of fate