The successful man has thrust himself
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he successful man has thrust himselfThrough the water of the years,Reeking wet with mistakes --Bloody mistakes;Slimed with victories over the lesser,A figure thankful on the shore of money.Then, with the bones of foolsHe buys silken bannersLimned with his triumphant face;With the skins of wise menHe buys the trivial bows of all.Flesh painted with marrowContributes a coverlet,A coverlet for his contented slumber.In guiltless ignorance, in ignorant guilt,He delivered his secrets to the riven multitude."Thus I defended: Thus I wrought."Complacent, smiling,He stands heavily on the dead.Erect on a pillar of skullsHe declaims his trampling of babes;Smirking, fat, dripping,He makes speech in guiltless ignorance,Innocence.
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