Nothing Comforts Like an Enduring Falsehood

They reassure themselves with anecdotes of those
Who, like the tortoise in that famous fable, triumph
Through their dogged plodding over more inspired
Hares, who bolt, then rest, then bolt again. The truth,
As their own lives should show, is that the tortoise
Doesn't win. The creature treads a circle,
Doomed to stay exactly where he's been. The hare
Said, “Let us use this fire.” Tortoises all shook
Their heads. The hare said, “We can leave these
Caves, and build our homes of sticks and mud.”
The tortoises refused to move. The hares went on
Ahead, exactly as they're doing to this day, while
Tortoises were left behind to sit, uncomprehending,
Sharing reassuring tales.



Poetry by Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 26 times
Written on 2019-07-29 at 18:46

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