Motive
I sing because the instant exists
and my life is complete.
I sing because the instant exists
I am neither happy nor sad:
I am a poet.
Kin to fleeting things,
I feel neither pleasure nor torment.
I cross night and day
I feel neither pleasure nor torment.
I cross night and day
In the wind.
Whether I collapse or I build,
Whether I last or am unmade,
Whether I last or am unmade,
I do not know. I do not know
Whether I pass or stay.
I know I sing; the song is all;
And the rhythm’d wing’s blood is eternal.
I know I will be mute one day
And the rhythm’d wing’s blood is eternal.
I know I will be mute one day
— and that is all.
