Attar!

A man who lived by digging graves survived

To ripe old age.

A neighbour said: "You've thrived

For years, digging away in one routine -

Tell us the strangest thing you've ever seen.

"He said: "All things considered, what's most strange

Is that for seventy years without a change

That dog, my self, has seen me digging graves,

Yet neither dies, nor alters, nor behaves!"

{From the Conference of the Birds}