Interlude 1 [❦ (Ripe & Ruin)]
She-she-she-she only ev-ev-ver-ver-ver-verWalks to-to count-count her stepsEighteen-teen strides and she stops to abideBy the law that she herself has setThat eighteen steps is one complete setAnd before the next nine right and nine leftShe looks up-up at the blueAnd whispers to all of the above:
Don't let me drown, don't breathe aloneNo kicks, no pangs, no broken bonesNever let me sink, always feel at homeNo sticks, no shanks, and no stonesNever leave it too late, always enjoy the tasteOf the great-great-great grey world of heartsAs all dogs everywhere bark-bark-bark-barkIt's worth knowingLike all good fruit, the balance of lifeIs in the ripe and ruin