Robinson Jeffers

Crumbs Or The Loaf

If one should tell them what's clearly seen They'd not understand; if they understood they would not believe; If they understood and believed they'd say, "Hater of men, annihilating with a sterile enormous Splendor our lives: where are our lives? " A little chilled perhaps, but not hurt. But it's quite true The invulnerable love is not bought for nothing. It is better no doubt to give crumbs than the loaf; make fables again, Tell people not to fear death, toughen Their bones if possible with bitter fables not to fear life. And one's own, not to have pity too much; For it seems compassion sacks longer than the other colors, in this bleaching cloth.