Her Tender Wing

“The Learn’d reflect on what before they knew: 
Careless of Censure, nor too fond of Fame, 
Still pleas’d to praise, yet not afraid to blame, 
Averse alike to Flatter, or Offend, 
Not free from Faults, nor yet too vain to mend.” – Alexander Pope (1688-1744).

Chatter, railing, 
Lashed and humming on 
The spinning top finds 
All its motion gone 

Nothing else lies 
In between the lugs 
But kindling, tinder 
Lumber Atlas shrugs 

Dust shake off that 
Shroud and live entire 
To judge in ice yet 
Sing in holy fire