The Mountain Spirit

So much depends
on the spirit of a man -

that in a round world
sighs for squares;

that with pretty women
looks for calm men of good character.

So the martial spirit thunders:
I disagree on principle!

makes war on everything except more life
a bristling seed waiting to sprout

in service to manhood we spread
across the planet arrogantly

we order thousands of institutions
we shape days and nights of millions

all, all in the insane hope
that in the most dank valley of soul's despair

the mountain spirit will prevail.