See what I mean? We have three thousand people in this town. Say in this state there are a thousand towns, And say in every town on every Sunday In every year this book is taught and preached To every human being from the time It's five years old as long as it will stand And let itself be taught--what have you done? You have created, kept intact a body, An audience and voting strength--for whom, The reformer, the fanatic, non-conformist, The man of principle who wants a law And those who, whether consciously or not, Live in the illusion that there is an end, A consummation, fifth act to this world, Millennium, as they say; and at the last When you get rid of sin (but they must say What sin is) then the world will be at peace, Life finished, perfect, nothing more to do But tend to business and enjoy yourself And die in peace, reach heaven. Don't you see? These people are deluded. For this stuff Called life is like a pan of bread you knead: You push it down one place and up it puffs In another place. And so while they control The stuff of life through Hebrew influence Of duty, business, fear, ascetism And yes, materialism, for it is that, The dough escaped, puffs out, the best of it, Its greater, part escapes us. So I say That bible taught in every village, hamlet And all its precepts, curses, notables, Preached fifty times a year creates the crowd That runs the country at the bidding of Your mediocrities, your little statesmen, Your little editors and moralists. And that's your culture, your American _Kultur_.... I'll finish you with eggs, it's better Than soap is for the hair. You've lots of time. I think I'll start my magazine next year. Step down this way--over the bowl, that's it-- A moment while I ring this money up. As I was saying--is the water cold?-- Now back into the chair--as I was saying That book upon the shelf has made our culture. We must undo it.... Yes, your train is whistling--so long! THEY'D NEVER KNOW ME NOW Let's sit here very quiet, self-controlled, Talk quietly, under this glorious tree, The internes are too far away to hear. They will stand there if we are calm. You look Much better than you did. And as for me, Since I tried leaping from my window, I Seem on the mend, sleep better, do not feel So much like running, flying from the fears As I did three weeks since. Here is my tale: