When I approached a stranger on the street
I always looked to take in each detail
My scrutiny was speedy yet discreet
As I surmised with little to avail
I imagined I could guess their occupation
And pride myself on my own estimation
Of their background and their social standing
True knowledge of their issues notwithstanding
So how amazed was I at the deflection
Of my own countenance seen in reflection
How little I could construe from the portrait
That my old confidence I had to forfeit
So now as I pass strangers on the street
I concentrate on where to land my feet
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Very good Dick - it isn't always easy to judge people on first meeting, we are often quite wrong.