supple of body
nimble of mind
often gripped by wild fancies

stiff in body
subtle in mind
but deceptively simple

glitters like fools' gold
has too much gloss
and yet often too little depth

quiet like a deep pool
inscrutable like an oracle
not given to being a spectacle

these are the dichotomies
we all must negotiate
as we traverse the world

in search of the jewel we never find
one so rare and refined; thus say i,
stay a little longer where you are

you might then get to know
that though wrinkled, hoarse and grey
i'm your mirror in many ways

the sound of the whistle of the outward bound
    teased the still night with its earthy timbre
and i suffered the pangs of a poor  lad, found
nursing a dream about getting away from it all
           like a learned doctor i was on call
              an order i knew was rather tall
                       if calamity struck
                   in the heat of the night
                            with my bags
                                  packed
                   and my naivety ablaze
                                just waiting
                                      for
               ­             a reason to go
                                slip away
                   into the hungry darkness
                   and never ever look back