The Answer

 Then what is the answer?- Not to be deluded by dreams.
 
To know that great civilizations have broken down into violence, 
 and their tyrants come, many times before.
 
When open violence appears, to avoid it with honor or choose 
 the least ugly faction; these evils are essential.
 
To keep one's own integrity, be merciful and uncorrupted 
 and not wish for evil; and not be duped 
By dreams of universal justice or happiness.
 These dreams will 
 not be fulfilled.
 
To know this, and know that however ugly the parts appear 
 the whole remains beautiful.
 A severed hand 
Is an ugly thing and man dissevered from the earth and stars 
 and his history.
.
.
 for contemplation or in fact.
.
.
 
Often appears atrociously ugly.
 Integrity is wholeness, 
 the greatest beauty is 
Organic wholeness, the wholeness of life and things, the divine beauty 
 of the universe.
 Love that, not man 
Apart from that, or else you will share man's pitiful confusions, 
 or drown in despair when his days darken.

Biography | Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes | Email Poem |

Poems are below...