I would not trust a teacher
Who is not willing to run 'til exhausted
Through the streets
As if chasing and being chased both,
To make a fool of himself in such a fashion
That his audience may actually find him a fool,
Or a traitor or a blasphemer,
And not, clearly, a deep-thinking poet
Cloaked in the fashionable garment
of risk.
No, I would not trust anyone for advice
Who has not been lost, and afraid,
In the woods behind her own home.
Who knows a storm — and its passing —
Like either a mad man or
Someone who's bound herself
in some very unlucky predicaments?
II
A fool will act without consideration.
An intellectual will make guesses with firm foundations.
A spiritual person will disguise her real desires
and intentions.
A true sage will stand with you in the fire
And not try to talk you out of it
one inch,
Nor speculate on the nature of ash
or even the water
or what will quench what.