They whisper around, especially reality:
“He is the boss, and you are a fool.”
Youth is to blame, and now old age too —
It went wrong yesterday and today it is wrong.

Disappointment shortens life,
The wounded ego rebels, boils,
And lesson after lesson invites to peace,
In humiliations teaches wisdom:

“My neighbor is better than I.”
Wife, boss, and tsar,
The beggar by the road, the green snot-nose…
…Let love triumph.
I accept. Let it work,
The gift of service.