The successful man has thrust himself

1The successful man has thrust himself

2Through the water of the years,

3Reeking wet with mistakes —

4Bloody mistakes;

5Slimed with victories over the lesser,

6A figure thankful on the shore of money.

7Then, with the bones of fools

8He buys silken banners

9Limned with his triumphant face;

10With the skins of wise men

11He buys the trivial bows of all.

12Flesh painted with marrow

13Contributes a coverlet,

14A coverlet for his contented slumber.

15In guiltless ignorance, in ignorant guilt,

16He delivered his secrets to the riven multitude.

17"Thus I defended: Thus I wrought."

18Complacent, smiling,

19He stands heavily on the dead.

20Erect on a pillar of skulls

21He declaims his trampling of babes;

22Smirking, fat, dripping,

23He makes speech in guiltless ignorance,

24Innocence.