Close here thine eyes, O State:
These are thy guests who bring
To gods with appetites grown great
A votive offering.

Know that they dare defy
The words of law and priest---
(Better to let the unborn die
Than starve while others feast.)

The stricken flesh may be
Outraged, and heal; but mind
Pain-sharpened, may yet learn to see
Thee plain, O State. Be blind:

Accept love's fruit: be sleek
Fat and lip-sealed. (Forget
That Life, avenging pain, will speak!)
Thrust deep the long curette!

Meridel LeSueur on belief as action (1935)

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Last modified: Wednesday, 18-Jul-2007 16:27:15 EDT