The Buddha Watches

You are as the yellow leaf.
The messengers of death are at hand.
You are to travel far away.
What will you take with you?

You are the lamp
To lighten the way.
Then hurry, hurry.

When your light shines
Without impurity or desire
You will come into the boundless country.

Your life is falling away.
Death is at hand.
Where will you rest on the way?
What will you take with you?

From Dhammapada (sayings of the buddha) 18, "Impurity," from the Pali canon, Shambhala Pocket Classics (London, 1993). Rendered by Thomas Byrom.