Forgive the weasel his tooth
forgive the tiger his claw
but do not forgive the woman
her malice or the man his envy
said the guru, as he moved on
to ask me to clean his shoe,
bake his bread and wash his clothes.
Give the dog his bone, the parrot
his seed, the pet snake his mouse
but do not give woman her freedom
nor man his midday meal till he begs
said the guru, as he went on
his breakfast of eggs and news
asking me to carry his chair to the dais.
I gave the dog his bone, the parrot
his seed, the pet snake his mouse,
forgave the weasel his tooth,
forgave the tiger his claw,
and left the guru to clean his own shoe
for I remembered I was a man born of woman.
English