Then what is the answer?- Not to be deluded by dreams. <br />To know that great civilizations have broken down into violence, <br /> and their tyrants come, many times before. <br />When open violence appears, to avoid it with honor or choose <br /> the least ugly faction; these evils are essential. <br />To keep one's own integrity, be merciful and uncorrupted <br /> and not wish for evil; and not be duped <br />By dreams of universal justice or happiness. These dreams will <br /> not be fulfilled. <br />To know this, and know that however ugly the parts appear <br /> the whole remains beautiful. A severed hand <br />Is an ugly thing and man dissevered from the earth and stars <br /> and his history... for contemplation or in fact... <br />Often appears atrociously ugly. Integrity is wholeness, <br /> the greatest beauty is <br />Organic wholeness, the wholeness of life and things, the divine beauty <br /> of the universe. Love that, not man <br />Apart from that, or else you will share man's pitiful confusions, <br /> or drown in despair when his days darken.<br /><br />Robinson Jeffers<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-answer-2/
