She only ever walks to count her steps
Eighteen-teen strides and she stops to abide
By the law that she herself has set
That eighteen steps is one complete set
And before the next nine right and nine left

She looks up-up at the blue and whispers to all of the above
Don't let me drown, don't breathe alone
No kicks, no pangs, no broken bones
Never let me sink, always feel at home
No sticks, no shanks, and no stones

Never leave it too late, always enjoy the taste
Of the great-great-great grey world of hearts
As all dogs everywhere bark-bark-bark-bark
It's worth knowing, like all good fruit
The balance of life is in the ripe and ruin