Alfred Kreymborg, ed. Others for 1919. 1920.
Wallace Gould
To a Weakling
D
Do not pour out your heart upon me, only to soil me with what you think I am.
Do not crown me king of your limitations.
Do not chatter about understandings.
Do not mention lasting friendship.
Do not speak.
I am striving to hear each note of the swallows
swooping through the door of the barn.
I am striving to hear each whine of the autumn winds
sidling about the eaves.
I am longing to tell you that what I am is likely to cause in you a shudder;
that what I am is likely to silence you;
that I have done all things;
and that I am proud—
serenely proud—
of having no limitations.
Fool, could I silence you
by telling you these things?