I taught myself to live simply and wisely, br to look at the sky and pray to God, br and to wander long before evening br to tire my superfluous worries. br When the burdocks rustle in the ravine br and the yellow-red rowanberry cluster droops br I compose happy verses br about life's decay, decay and beauty. br I come back. The fluffy cat br licks my palm, purrs so sweetly br and the fire flares bright br on the saw-mill turret by the lake. br Only the cry of a stork landing on the roof br occasionally breaks the silence. br If you knock on my door br I may not even hear.