Castrating an Ego

[Guest guest]

The only problem with not castrating

A gigantic ego is

 

That it will surely become amorous

And father

A hundred screaming ideas and kids

 

Who will then all quickly grow up

And skillfully proceed

 

To run up every imaginable debt

And complication of which your brain

Can conceive.

 

This would concern normal parents

And any seekers of freedom

 

And the local merchants nearby

As well.

 

They could very easily become forced

To disturb your peace;

 

All those worries and bills could turn to

Wailing ghosts.

 

The only problem with not lassoing

A runaway ego is

 

You won't have much desire to sing

In this sweet

World.

 

- Hafiz

Translated by Daniel Ladinsky