* * *
People, why are you so slow?
Tortoises don’t rush, I know.
But it suits a cautious beast
Who lives a hundred years at least.
People, why so fleet and fast,
Like a rabbit rushing past?
It makes sense if everyone
Has but five more years to run!
* * *
Back on the road again… I know
How far I’ve walked and what befell.
How many miles remain to go?
Neither you nor I can tell.
Back on the road again… I see
My distant goal and love it well.
But shall I reach that boundary?
Neither you nor I can tell.
* * *
Walk abroad and wear no coat?
Down it pours without delay.
My horse is lame again, I note.
Look, tomorrow’s racing-day!
Leave my gun at home? In glee
Geese above my head shall Sock.
And when friends abandon me,
Enemies grow bold and mock.
* * *
The sight of friend in love with friend
Disturbs my solitary ego.
With him and her I wish to blend
In an inseparable trio.
But it’s absurd—a three-winged bird!
With trailing wing, unloved, undone,
I hobble by. For how can I,
A cripple, fly with only one!
* * *
A rider’s heart is like a fire!
So, young girl, take care!
Fire you can damp and douse
Or arouse, beware!
A rider’s heart is like a knife!
So, young girl, beware!
You can blunt a blade or make it
Razor sharp, beware!
* * *
Like a river in full spate,
Down it pours. A pity!
For the young man has a date,
And she’s very pretty.
Down it pours! She, too, deplores
The inclement season.
Lips grow numb. He doesn’t come.
Is the rain the reason?