Jan Brzechwa
Zero

Downhill it rolled into view:
“Make way, I’m coming through!
I am a million score,
Who knows? might even be more.”

With its typical zeal
It shouted: “I’m bigger still!”

Always in search of applause,
So proud of how bulging it was.

All whispered, far and wide:
“Such belly must mean too much pride.”
It took them a while to spot
That all in all it was naught.

(Translated by: Witold Wojtaszko)