Arterial

Arterial written by Rudyard Kipling

First published Poems, 1886–1929 as part of The Muse Among the Motors.

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                                                     Early Chinese.

                            I
Frost upon small rain—the ebony-lacquered avenue
       Reflecting lamps as a pool shows goldfish.
The sight suddenly emptied out of the young man's eyes
       Entering upon it sideways.

                            II
In youth, by hazard, I killed an old man.
            In age I maimed a little child.
Dead leaves under foot reproach not:
But the lop-sided cherry-branch—whenever the sun rises,
            How black a shadow!