Not but they die, the teasers and the dreams, <br />Not but they die, <br />and tell the careful flood <br />To give them what they clamour for and why. <br /> <br />You could not fancy where they rip to blood <br />You could not fancy <br />nor that mud <br />I have heard speak that will not cake or dry. <br /> <br />Our claims to act appear so small to these <br />Our claims to act <br />colder lunacies <br />That cheat the love, the moment, the small fact. <br /> <br />Make no escape because they flash and die, <br />Make no escape <br />build up your love, <br />Leave what you die for and be safe to die.<br /><br />William Empson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-teasers/
