Patrick Kavanagh

Untitled (Listen, and if you do 3)

Listen, and if you do
Do not listen that you may steal
From the purse of beauty a rare coin
Or you will be deceived
For what the poet gives
You can take only by right
His song is a maiden who has never been taken
In her own despite
Do not listen with greedy ears
Or the knowledge you get will prove
A load of indigestable [sic] experience
Refuse from the mine of love.
Lean back in your chairs and be simple
And it may be you will hear
The bell that hangs upon the branch of language
If the air is clear.
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