Classic Poem

I told him
that even in love —
that thought for the without —
one must preserve oneself.
I told him
a little love is admissible,
all-love suicidal.
I told him,
even if one love a little,
one must preserve oneself.
I told him,
even in fair play —
the love phrase of commerce
which calls for a recognized balance
between two factors or people —
one must preserve oneself.
It's fine to say but not fair,
not fair to oneself —
" My dear sir, I'd like to offer you more than you ask — "
that's an instance of loving,
a thought for the without,
not an instance of living,
the thought for the within —
as I told him.
He said, but that was years ago —
" Mustn't I save my soul?"
and I said instantaneously,
" Your body's your soul,
and even if it isn't,
don't you need a body to preserve your soul?"
I'm proud of my pupil.
I told him —
and he was only a stripling.
I haven't had to tell him since.