advice to travellers

whenever you come upon a well

you should lift its bucket to your lips

and drink deeply.  wells may be few,

and far between.  thirst

is always nearby.

when lost at sea always sail

in the direction of the dragons, sea- serpents,

and mer-people.

they have escaped, as you must, the cage

of latitude and longitude.

when in a foreign city, take care.

to be wordless is not to be silent

and you are shouting at the passers-by.

when you meet a stranger

offer a name.  it is harder to do harm

to another whose name one knows.  do not

offer your secret name.  it is easier to do harm

to another whose secret name one knows.

do not seek to know names.

never draw a map in hope

of helping a friend to find you.

when you have drawn a map in hope

of helping a friend to find you,

keep it safely in your pocket.   points

of departure can be tricky, destinations

are trickier still, and maps, and people,  and other things,

are so easily mislaid on journeys.  besides,

no doubt your friend already owns a map

and will not thank you.

if you find yourself in a desert

looking at a shining city,

head towards the shining city.

if you find yourself in a shining city

looking at a desert,

head towards the desert.

if you find yourself at home

drink deeply and then

cover your well.  admit no travellers.

beware.

if you go to any city, or desert, often enough

or stay long enough

it will become a lover, and

travellers are the death

of lovers.