Classic Poem

People read books.
People go to the play.
People hie to operas and museums.
Not that they read books, go to the play, hie to operas and museums.
But that they go to themselves, read themselves, hear themselves, see themselves.
They don't like what they don't read of themselves, hear of themselves, see of themselves.
They have a tendency to think that bad.
And so to express themselves.
They like what they read of themselves, hear of themselves, see of themselves.
Have a tendency to think this good.
And so to express themselves.
People cannot read what they cannot read, hear what they cannot hear, see what they cannot see.
One stands in front of a glass, sees what one sees, cannot see what one cannot see.
But a looking-glass is monotonous.
Liking oneself monotonous.
One must vary the glass and the liking.
The liking glass.
So people read books.
Go to the play.
Hie to operas and museums.
Say how-do-you-do to themselves.
Smile and accept themselves.
Frown and disown all others.
It is well indeed that they do.
Most fortunate that they can.
It is all they can do.
There are millions upon millions of miles of earth, air and water that cannot hear them or see them.
Quatrillions upon quatrillions of stars that cannot accomplish the miracle.
That couldn't if they wanted to, haven't it in them to want to.
So it is well that people read books, go to the play, hie to operas and museums.
Well indeed that they hear and see themselves.
Most fortunate that they like what they are.
And so express themselves.
It is all they can do.