The Muse

Time: Next year. Place: Everywhere. Scene: A level stretch of monotony.

THE SPIRIT OF THE REJECTION SLIP (Entering despairingly)

Alas—in vain! Yet I have barred the way

As best I might, that this great horror fall

Not on the world. Returned with many thanks

And not because of lack of merit, I

Have said to twenty million poets ... nay ...

Profane it not, that word ... to twenty million

Persons who wasted stamps and typewriting