The shadows of all the wounded sparrows

They enlighten me.

I will receive them,

And I will clean them,

And I will take their pain away.

I will not sorrow, for if tomorrow 

Never comes again for them

I will clip their feathers,

And string them out on a line

One after the other, absentmindedly

Making tight knots out of loose ties to mortality.

I will see sorrow

I will lose tomorrow

Whilst in their brevity

I will commit to a part of myself

I don't know well

A warrior in a shell

A timid believer

A cautious receiver

Of his will

I will be patient

Never endanger 

My rigid dignity.

And no, tomorrow

I will not sorrow

For a loss of liberty.

For beneath this 

Impermanence of existence

Is a greater freedom still.

And I will seek it,

Distill and keep it

And shape it to my will.