Three lives have I. Gentle enough to soothe the skin, Light enough to caress the sky, Hard enough to crack rocks.
Lighter than what I am made of, More of me is hidden Than is seen.
When I am filled I can point the way, When I am empty Nothing moves me, I have two skins One without and one within.
If a man carried my burden he would break his back. I am not rich, but leave silver in my track.
My life can be measured in hours, I serve by being devoured. Thin, I am quick fat, I am slow wind is my foe.
To unravel me you need a simple key, no key that was made by locksmith's hand, but a key that only I will understand.
Weight in my belly, trees on my back, nails in my ribs, feet I do lack.
If you break me I do not stop working, if you touch me I may be snared, if you lose me nothing will matter.
I turn around once, what is out will not get in. I turn around again, what is in will not get out
I am only useful when I am full, yet I am always full of holes.
You can see nothing else when you look in my face, I will look you in the eye and I will never lie.
I drive men mad for love of me, easily beaten, never free.
Glittering points that downward thrust, sparkling spears that never rust.
When set loose I fly away, never so cursed as when I go astray.
When young, I am sweet in the sun. When middle-aged, I make you gay. When old, I am valued more than ever.
I am always hungry, I must always be fed, the finger I lick will soon turn red.
Each morning I appear to lie at your feet, all day I follow no matter how fast you run, yet I nearly perish in the midday sun.
Bright as diamonds, loud as thunder, never still, a thing of wonder.
You heard me before, yet you hear me again, then I die, 'til you call me again.
Lovely and round, I shine with pale light, grown in the darkness, a lady's delight.
Until I am measured I am not known, yet how you miss me when I have flown.
All about, but cannot be seen, can be captured, cannot be held, no throat, but can be heard.
I am seen in the water if seen in the sky, I am in the rainbow, a jay's feather, and lapis lazuli.
I go around in circles but always straight ahead, never complain no matter where I am led.
At the sound of me, men may dream or stamp their feet at the sound of me, women may laugh or sometimes weep.