SONG OF THE FOOL
by Zanna Starr

Based on The Fool
from the Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg
(Artist: Yury Shakov)

I am like the wandering skomorokhi of Old Russia,
A clown, a minstrel,
Traveling through cities and across the countryside.
On my hand, a puppet smiles and nods;
He looks exactly like me.
I am fond of gazing into his eyes.
This is how I begin my journey,
Innocent and self-absorbed.
I can be a beggar or a jester,
A wild man, or an insouciant young fellow
Out for a stroll.
Am I a saint or a simpleton?
A genius or an idiot?
Will you try to reason with me?
My wolfish dog laughs at the thought.
I wonder where my road will lead
And I wander where it leads me.

~