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“Circle and Square” by Edwin Muir 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (15 May 1887 – 3 Jan 1959)
“I give you half of me;
No more, lest I should make
A ground for perjury.
For your sake for my sake,
Half will you take?”
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“Half I’ll not take nor give,
For he who gives gives all.
By halves you cannot live;
Then let the barrier fall,
In one circle have all.”
​
A wise and ancient scorner
Said to me once: Beware
The road that has no corner
Where you can linger and stare.
Choose the square.
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And let the circle run
Its dull and fevered race.
You, my dear, are one;
Show your soul in your face;
Maintain your: place.
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“Give, but have something to give.
No man can want you all.
Live, and learn to live.
When all the barriers fall
You are nothing at all.”