Voltaire JohnsonWhy did you bruise me with your rough placesIf you did not want me to tell you about them?And stifle me with your stupidities,If you did not want me to expose them?And nail me with the nails of cruelty,If you did not want me to pluck the nails forthAnd fling them in your faces?And starve me because I refused to obey you,If you did not want me to undermine your tyranny?I might have been as soul sereneAs William Wordsworth except for you!But what a coward you are, Spoon River,When you drove me to stand in a magic circleBy the sword of Truth described!And then to whine and curse your burns,And curse my power who stood and laughedAmid ironical lightning!
Why did you bruise me with your rough placesIf you did not want me to tell you about them?And stifle me with your stupidities,If you did not want me to expose them?And nail me with the nails of cruelty,If you did not want me to pluck the nails forthAnd fling them in your faces?And starve me because I refused to obey you,If you did not want me to undermine your tyranny?I might have been as soul sereneAs William Wordsworth except for you!But what a coward you are, Spoon River,When you drove me to stand in a magic circleBy the sword of Truth described!And then to whine and curse your burns,And curse my power who stood and laughedAmid ironical lightning!