Known River

(The legend has it that a little boy named Nachiketa found a way to the Death-God's house to ask Him about life, after life and rebirth. The legend also claims that he got his answers.)

“Before you go,'

The buffalo god said,

'Know this, child, know-

A time will come so,

Sleep instead

Of your limbs, will grow.

Friends and foes-

In a wooden burnt bed

Will silently stow

You away. And you'll row

A boat. In a river of red,

Batting with a strange paw of a crow.

Howlingly will glow-

(Hell-bound, you'll see) The fire of head

Burning, fingers and of toes-

Closing your eyes and heavenly you'll know-

The oil of virtue that the god has this made,

The womb of a mother, where the child grows-

To the day of the light and a warm smell of bread.”