The poem
People who are afraid of themselves Multiply themselves into families And so divide themselves And so become less afraid.
People who might have to go out Into clanging strangers' laughter, Crowd under roofs, make compacts To no more than smile at each other.
People who might meet their own faces Or surprise their own voices in doorways Build themselves rooms without mirrors And live between walls without echoes.
People who might meet other faces And unknown voices round corners Build themselves rooms all mirrors And live between walls all echoes.
People who are afraid to go naked Clothe themselves in families, houses, But are still afraid of death Because death one day will undress them.