Vanishing Youth - Thränenkind

«After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality,

and so on

Have found that none of these finally satisfy

Or permanently wear — what remains?»

The dust raised by vanishing youth still tastes bitter in your dry mouth

The strong, clutching hands of uncertainty still hold you back

Every word turns you into a liar

Every path leads you into the mire

You ask me what to do in this cold heart life

Listen to the wind — everything you need is in yourself

«Read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life

Re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book» or song

Dismiss whatever insults your true self

«To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night

To make you like everybody else

Means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight

And never stop fighting.»