Can't Cant

When I was young, I wanted those
Whose insights I had found profound
To have lived admirable,
Profound lives. I just chucked aside

The ideas of those who failed me,
The drunks, junkies, and suicides,
The hateful in personal life,
Syphilitic misogynists.

Poverty I could forgive, but
Not extravagant bankruptcies.
What a fool I am. If insight
Had to equal ability

All the best teachers and coaches
Would have proved the greatest scholars
And performers. Each poor person
Caught between worlds must disappoint

Us somehow. Whatever it is
That is not free as the ideas
Nor as ancient as desires,
The semi-real being who's stuck

Being created by body
And culture, but can never leave
The former and never evade
The latter, deserves forgiveness.