The Ledger of Understanding

 
Will I then suffer further decay?
At whose woman's feet will this burnt clay vessel roll?
Where then do I take refuge in non-violence with my dissenting voice?
Why do I still carry flowers to the heated tomb?


I know, one who has invested only in good tidings all these ages,
has never entangled either shore in any act of revenge.


When this life's meteor falls to some unknown shore of catastrophe,
let it be known then—only to that impoverished peasant woman—this harvest is hers!


So have mercy, return in grace, if you can then give back
that towering peak you have named Love.
Whom you have sent to death, either give him battlefield, or wound him through!


This devotee has always borne suffering
…whenever he has scorned sin,
today his very arms are severed—what then is all that debris?


Before you leave, settle properly the price of that final letter,
if you can, with ash…with that life of yours
pay off all the debts of this life!