She only ever walks to count her steps Eighteen 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 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 grey world of hearts As all dogs everywhere bark It's worth knowing Like all good fruit the balance of life is in the ripe and ruin