Richard Wilbur

Richard Wilbur is a Pulitzer prize winning poet, a great translator of French playwrights (especially Moliere), and the librettist for "Candide".

He is also a friend of mine!

Here is one of my favourites. (Check the biblical reference). It is used with Mr. Wilbur's permission.





Matthew VIII,28 ff.



Rabbi, we Gadarenes
Are not ascetics; we are fond of wealth and possessions.
Love, as You call it, we obviate by means
Of the planned release of aggressions.

We have deep faith in prosperity.
Soon, it is hoped, we will reach our full potential.
In the light of our gross product, the practice of charity
Is palpably non-essential.

It is true that we go insane;
That for no good reason we are possessed by devils;
That we suffer, despite the amenities which obtain
At all but the lowest levels.

We shall not, however, resign
Our trust in the high-heaped table and the full trough.
If You cannot cure us without destroying our swine,
We had rather You shoved off.

Richard Wilbur

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