The other day I chanced to meet <br />An angry man upon the street — <br />A man of wrath, a man of war, <br />A man who truculently bore <br />Over his shoulder, like a lance, <br />A banner labeled “Tolerance.” <br /> <br />And when I asked him why he strode <br />Thus scowling down the human road, <br />Scowling, he answered, “I am he <br />Who champions total liberty — <br />Intolerance being, ma’am, a state <br />No tolerant man can tolerate. <br /> <br />“When I meet rogues,” he cried, “who choose <br />To cherish oppositional views, <br />Lady, like this, and in this manner, <br />I lay about me with my banner <br />Till they cry mercy, ma’am.” His blows <br />Rained proudly on prospective foes. <br /> <br />Fearful, I turned and left him there <br />Still muttering, as he thrashed the air, <br />“Let the Intolerant beware!”<br /><br />Phyllis McGinley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-angry-man-2/
