John Boyle O'Reilly

The Useless Ones

Poets should not reason:
Let them sing!
Argument is treason—
Bells should ring.
 
Statements none, nor questions;
Gnomic words.
Spirit-cries, suggestions,
Like the birds.
 
He may use deduction
Who must preach;
He may praise instruction
Who must teach;
 
But the poet duly
Fills his part
When the song bursts truly
From his heart.
 
For no purpose springing;
For no pelf:
He must do the singing
For itself.
 
Not in lines austerely
Let him build;
Not the surface merely
Let him gild.
 
Fearless, uninvited,
Like a spring.
Opal-words, inlighted,
Let him sing.
 
As the leaf grows sunward
Song must grow;
As the stream flows onward
Song must flow.
 
Useless? Ay,—for measure;
Roses die,
But their breath gives pleasure—
God knows why!
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