O mad, superbly drunk; <br /> If you kick open your doors and <br />play the fool in public; <br /> If you empty your bag in a night, <br />and snap your fingers at prudence; <br /> If you walk in curious paths and <br />play with useless things; <br /> Reck not rhyme or reason; <br /> If unfurling your sails before the <br />storm you snap the rudder in two, <br /> Then I will follow you, comrade, <br />and be drunken and go to the dogs. <br /> I have wasted my days and nights <br />in the company of steady wise neighbours. <br /> Much knowing has turned my hair <br />grey, and much watching has made <br />my sight dim. <br /> For years I have gathered and <br />heaped up scraps and fragments of <br />things: <br /> Crush them and dance upon them, <br />and scatter them all to the winds. <br /> For I know 'tis the height of wisdom <br />to be drunken and go the dogs. <br /> Let all crooked scruples vanish, <br />let me hopelessly lose my way. <br /> Let a gust of wild giddiness come <br />and sweep me away from my anchors. <br /> The world is peopled with worthies, <br />and workers, useful and clever. <br /> There are men who are easily first, <br />and men who come decently after. <br /> Let them be happy and prosper, <br />and let me be foolishly futile. <br /> For I know 'tis the end of all works <br />to be drunken and go to the dogs. <br /> I swear to surrender this moment <br />all claims to the ranks of the decent. <br /> I let go my pride of learning and <br />judgment of right and of wrong. <br /> I'll shatter memory's vessel, scattering <br />the last drop of tears. <br /> With the foam of the berry-red <br />wine I will bathe and brighten my <br />laughter. <br /> The badge of the civil and staid <br />I'll tear into shreds for the nonce. <br /> I'll take the holy vow to be worthless, <br />to be drunken and go to the dogs.<br /><br />Rabindranath Tagore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-gardener-xlii-o-mad-superbly-drunk/
