TO A DEAR FRIEND

To you my friend, who gave me dreams
Futile hopes to tame the world
You who tuned the song in my heart
And dropped my coin in the wishing well

You, who showed me blind fairies
Deaf and mute, no power even
To pull me from the aching marshes
Giving me helpless gifts of pity

To whatever trials it has been put,
Your love always came out the best
Your gift of a phoenix, its wings now broken
Refuses to sing those immortal songs

My self, you held my obstinate shadows
My cloaks to wear in heaven’s abode
My breath, you promised to follow me
To eternal tunnels, hence take your leave.

(To a friend who promised to be with me even in death)