All wise men fear water.
They fear drowning, in too deep
they fear rain dripping steadily onto the street
they always carry umbrellas and
they never look at seas.

When I was young, I saw a river
Due to drought, it was growing thinner.
Stones were like gems inside it and
the fish were just like silver.

The water was streaming onward fast
not a hard-smooth mirror or a sheet of glass.
I reached my hand into it and
I felt it rushing past.

I fell headfirst, dragged down deep
the river swept me off my feet.
I was pulled on by the current and
carried to the sea.

All wise men fear water, but
they can't swim like me.