The Householders Lament

THE HOUSEHOLDER'S LAMENT The marshland holds the carambola tree; Soft and pliant its branches be. With its careless beauty and tender sheen, The life of a tree is the life for me. The marshland rears the carambola tree; All purple and red its blossoms be. In careless beauty and tender sheen, Would I were childless and bland like thee. The marshland loves the carambola tree; Soft and sweet are the fruits I see. Clothed with beauty and sunlit sheen, The rateless and roofless life for me.