“Men must endure their going hence even as their coming hither. Ripeness is all”-- King Lear Act V Scene ii Why should not folks be mad My dear, when women Wear the same painted face And men the same slant Why should not You throw the pearl of your soul Into your passions And eat the fruit of all the trees In the garden of The world When living fully Is such a healthy flower To wear on one's bosom The gift and breath of Mother Earth Herself Yet dearest, be wary Keeping to the trees On the sunlit side of the garden, shunning The other for its grey and gloom When sorrow can also be The seed to The sweetest fruit For I hope you taste the lavender Of whispered secrets, The earl gray of misty mornings Feel your cheek glow red with pleasure But also learn to hear the words of pain Or walk on the thorns of remorse Or learn to lose in life or lust Yet most all I wish, my dear, For you to be able to Sit and breathe Wherever you may be That eternal Breath From the sweet air that Touches the sun.