I see a rabbit on the path
I call him but he does not wake.
And though his fur is sparkling still
his once bright eye has turned opaque-
Rabbit..
I pray the tiny span of life
that once you lived, at least was good
Your stomach filled with toothsome grass
and fresh green clover from the wood

And jasmine, rose and willow, too
and all the finest rabbit fare
Or else I think that I would weep
to see your body stranded there

Your coffin shall be velvet-lined
a painted box, beneath the ground
And as I hum a little dirge
I''ll scatter flowers all around

I pray that once, just once, you felt
the glorious blessing of your birth
That in those woods, you filled with joy
to know you were upon this earth

I hope you danced beneath the moon
with all your long-eared friends last night
And had yourself a ball until
you dozed off in the morning light

That light you'll never see again!
How sad your days, they had to cease
upon this hard and stony path
Dear rabbit may you rest in peace.