Tuesday, July 17, 2018

The Teasers by William Empson


The Teasers

Not but they die, the teasers and the dreams, 
Not but they die, 
and tell the careful flood 
To give them what they clamour for and why. 

You could not fancy where they rip to blood 
You could not fancy 
nor that mud 
I have heard speak that will not cake or dry. 

Our claims to act appear so small to these 
Our claims to act 
colder lunacies 
That cheat the love, the moment, the small fact. 

Make no escape because they flash and die, 
Make no escape
build up your love,
Leave what you die for and be safe to die.


 

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