Colin F. Jones

FOLLY DEFINED

Over the fields of others he goes running;
Over his own he picks his way
For he is in fear of becoming
What he knows, but will not say.
While the lips are being kissed,
the cheek is being bitten,
But what person can resist
The soft purring of a kitten.
Yet the trench beside the trail
is a sanctuary that is mined
For the man who would fail
Who, to face the foe, declined.
And in the fine detail
His folly is defined.

©Copyright April 24, 2005 by Colin F. Jones

Author’s Note: Malaysian Proverb: Ladang orang berlari-lari, ladang sendiri berjangkah jangkah. (Translation: Over the fields of others, he goes running; over his own, he picks his way)