Why should I write an English poem, br When the English write their own? br Why should I seek the symbol's hope, br When I've never met the pope? br br Why would I want or wear; br silks and satins? cottons tear! br why would I want to speak br words unheard over devil's peak? br br Seventeen eighty-nine br when victory was mine, br I let them stay br Near mossel bay br So they could win br when I grew thin br br Alright, alright that was long ago... br But time remembers, don't you know? br br I don't, and so I ask: br Why would I take the task? br Why would I break tradition, br when It's been conditioned? br br When wood made winter warm; br and made good shelter in the storm. br With paper piles and Parker pen, br dare I pluck feathers from my hen? br br Go write your precious lies on stone, see if I care! br Just leave to nature what was there.