when serpents bargain for the right to squirm br and the sun strikes to gain a living wage - br when thorns regard their roses with alarm br and rainbows are insured against old age br br when every thrush may sing no new moon in br if all screech-owls have not okayed his voice br - and any wave signs on the dotted line br or else an ocean is compelled to close br br when the oak begs permission of the birch br to make an acorn - valleys accuse their br mountains of having altitude - and march br denounces april as a saboteur br br then we'll believe in that incredible br unanimal mankind (and not until)br br Edward Estlin Cummingsbr br