THE GENTLE READER
Reading edition
BY ARTHUR DAVISON FICKE
WHY does the poet choose to sing? No impulse ever stirred in me The wish to make myself a thing To which all mocking gibes might cling.” Perhaps he sees more than you see. “Why should this fool go crying out The secrets of his soul? In steel I case myself, nor care to shout Those things one does not talk about.” Perhaps he feels more than you feel. “If I had wisdom to impart, I’d say the thing, and let it go, Not trifle with a foolish art And make a motley of my heart.” Perhaps he knows more than you know.
