This Is What You Shall Do

A Virtuous Life

Love the earth and the sun and all the animals.
Despise riches. Give alms to everyone that asks.
Stand up for the stupid and crazy among us.
Keep a positive slant on the things you discuss.
This may be one of the most difficult of tasks
But it may be one of the sanest rationales.

Devote your income and labor to other folk.
Do hate tyrants, and argue not concerning God.
Have patience and indulgence toward the people.
Take your hat off to no known construction of bull
Or to any man. Do not the ego applaud
Or else antagonism it may well provoke.

Go freely with the powerful persons – those who
Are without education… also with the young
And with the mothers of families be at ease.
Through the eyes of the other the wiser one sees
All there is that is missing. Keep quiet your tongue
Lest the thing that you offer be arrogant spew.

Re-examine all that you have been told in school
Or in church or in any book. Gladly dismiss
Whatever insults your own soul. Be the poem
That is of richest fluency as your words stem
From the depths of your soul. Do encounter the bliss
Of a wholesome authentic life and one that’s cool.

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