A close and crowded world I find,
And all its citizens are blind,
They only see a single face,
Their own that occupies this place.
No other person can they see,
No stranger stranded, even me,
Beyond the darkness of each hedge,
They share no creed they give no pledge.
A box I hold within my hand,
Brought thoughtfully into this land,
And 'neath its lid a shimmering pool,
Where searchers find a sacred rule,
Put others first reflected plain,
Learn their face and yes, their name,
For every face is meant to be read,
The living first and then the dead.
Alas, a few peered 'neath the lid,
While others eyes remained well hid,
So slowly closed I my precious cask,
And none there were who cared to ask.
Where did you find this magic box,
And has it not some chains and locks,
To keep inside such treasure horde,
Such wealth is more than we can afford.
A close and crowded world I found,
And all its citizens were bound,
They only saw a single face,
Their own within an empty place.