The Poet: Tom Disch, "What to Accept"

"What to Accept"

"The fact of mountains. 
The actuality
Of any stone - by kicking, if necessary.
The need to ignore stupid people,
While restraining one's natural impulse
To murder them. 
The change from your dollar,
Be it no more than a penny,
For without a pretense of universal penury
There can be no honor between rich and poor.
Love, unconditionally, or until proven false.
The inevitability of cancer and/or
Heart disease. 
The dialogue as written,
Once you've taken the role. 
Failure,
Gracefully. 
Any hospitality
You're willing to return. 
The air each city offers you to breathe.
The latest hit. Assistance.
All accidents. The end."

- Tom Disch