I Know How To Live Here, I

All Lives Are Composed Of Two Basic Elements," The Squirrel Said, "purpose And Poetry. By Being Ourselves, Squirrel And Raven, We Fulfill The First Requirement, You In Flight And I In My Tree. But There Is Poetry In The Meanest Of Lives, And If We Leave It Unsought We Leave Ourselves Unrealized. A Life Without Food, Without Shelter, Without Love, A Life Lived In The Rain—this Is Nothing Beside A Life Without Poetry.

I Have Been Mortal, And Some Part Of Me Is Mortal Yet. I Am Full Of Tears And Hunger And The Fear Of Death, Although I Cannot Weep, And I Want Nothing, And I Cannot Die. I Am Not Like The Others Now, For No Unicorn Was Ever Born Who Could Regret, But I Do. I Regret.

Whatever Can Die Is Beautiful — More Beautiful Than A Unicorn, Who Lives Forever, And Who Is The Most Beautiful Creature In The World. Do You Understand Me?

Your Name Is A Golden Bell Hung In My Heart. I Would Break My Body To Pieces To Call You Once By Your Name.

What Happened Instead Was That The Tree Fell In Love With Him And Began To Murmur Fondly Of The Joy To Be Found In The Eternal Embrace Of A Red Oak. "always, Always," It Sighed, "faithful Beyond Any Man's Deserving. I Will Keep The Color Of Your Eyes When No Other In The World Remembers Your Name. There Is No Immortality But A Tree's Love.