The protective and selfish both defend their space:
One fights to win affection, the other to gain respect.
But protection has its limits and selfishness its place,
If the way of self-fulfilment we are not to neglect.
We look after our own, in the good sense and the derogative,
Hating change, intrusion and threats to prerogative,
Fighting now for love, now for respect.
7. CURIOSITY
(the plurilateral)
'A fool has no dialogue with himself, the first thought carries him, without the reply of a second.' - Marquis of Halifax
Natural is the marking and defence of territory
With stigmata, strata and specialist data.
But equally natural is the intellectual artillery
That mows down divisions and disarms the Tartar
(Defensively sniping from delusion's thicket
Of religious, social and scientific etiquette)
By showing him ways that he could be smarter.
Inquisitiveness is the urge very few enlist
To guide and control the others. Too subversive,
It confounds alike the sceptic and reductionist,
The clone, the little islander, the dogmatist and coercive.
Sycophant or questioner, which is the feebler?
'My brain for outspokenness,' crowed the enfant terrible
'Is better suited that yon Emperor in his regalia putative!'