come walk on mountain

words seem to scatter down the shadowed hill

like running goats in the fast-fading light

there's too much work to do and soon comes night

and care is needed with this long cane-bill

so much of life seems to defy plain will

beauty is just another boring sight

to be ignored while getting the job right

since practice makes each lad develop skill

this evening dapple under mango trees

comes with an odour of harvested spice

soon we will pass the wall and close the gate

be very grateful for the evening breeze

and happy to have salt-meat with our rice

not thinking how our meanings might translate