The Joyful Wisdom

Vademecum – Vadetecum

Attracted by my style and talk
You'd follow, in my footsteps walk?
Follow yourself unswervingly,
So – careful! – shall you follow me.

8

The Third Sloughing

My skin bursts, breaks for fresh rebirth,
And new desires come thronging:
Much I've devoured, yet for more earth
The serpent in me's longing.
'Twixt stone and grass I crawl once more,
Hungry, by crooked ways,
To eat the food I ate before,
Earth-fare all serpents praise!

9

My Roses

My luck's good – I'd make yours fairer,
(Good luck ever needs a sharer),
Will you stop and pluck my roses?
Oft mid rocks and thorns you'll linger,
Hide and stoop, suck bleeding finger —
Will you stop and pluck my roses?
For my good luck's a trifle vicious,
Fond of teasing, tricks malicious —
Will you stop and pluck my roses?

10

The Scorner

Many drops I waste and spill,
So my scornful mood you curse:
Who to brim his cup doth fill,
Many drops must waste and spill —
Yet he thinks the wine no worse.

11

The Proverb Speaks

Harsh and gentle, fine and mean,
Quite rare and common, dirty and clean,
The fools' and the sages' go-between:
All this I will be, this have been,
Dove and serpent and swine, I ween!

12

To a Lover of Light

That eye and sense be not fordone
E'en in the shade pursue the sun!

13

For Dancers

Smoothest ice,
A paradise
To him who is a dancer nice.

14

The Brave Man

A feud that knows not flaw nor break,
Rather then patched-up friendship, take.

15

Rust

Rust's needed: keenness will not satisfy!
"He is too young!" the rabble loves to cry.

16

Excelsior

"How shall I reach the top?" No time
For thus reflecting! Start to climb!

17

The Man of Power Speaks

Ask never! Cease that whining, pray!
Take without asking, take alway!

18

Narrow Souls