For no less an individuality than the one we aspire to
Can be ours! This bourne is a land of orchards,
Of juicy plums, and free spirits who desire to
Trample the husk that no kernel guards!
Now let's pick values! Let these fill a basket:
Self-interest and altruism, kindness and grit,
Profit and conscience, science and bards,
Freedom and order, honour and love!
Try to prevent them from turning to jam!
Is there any contender that should be written off?
Do we balance the claims, or not give a damn?
Are we radical amputees, or centred in plurality?
Can we say from the heart of our individuality
'Our nature is to weigh, not excuse ad nauseam'?
5. GREGARIOUSNESS
(the collateral)
'What the crowd requires is mediocrity of the highest order.' - Preault
The rose does not manifest the clod, or dedicate
Her life to the soil. She enjoys being a rose!
From humanity's cheek flew the roses of late,
When the collective conscience the private froze,
When the many could bloom the one out of countenance
And drain individuality, till all the significance,