Tuesday Poem: "You Say You Said" by Marianne Moore

“Few words are best.”

        Not here. Discretion has been abandoned in this part

        of the world too lately

        For it to be admired. Disgust for it is like the

Equinox—all things in

One. Disgust is

        No psychologist and has not opportunity to be a hypocrite.

        It says to the saw-toothed bayonet and to the cue

Of blood behind the sub-

Marine—to the

        Poisoned comb, to the Kaiser of Germany and to the

        intolerant gateman at the exit from the eastbound ex-

        press: “I hate

You less than you must hate

Yourselves: You have

        Accoutred me. ‘Without enemies one’s courage flags.’

        Your error has been timed

        To aid me, I am in debt to you for you have primed

Me against subterfuge.”

by Marianne Moore

For more information on poet, Marianne Moore, see:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/marianne-moore