what's truly crucial

the burden never lightens it is borne
over the centuries on unbent backs
we do not count the pain that racks
each of us we do not feel the horn
as it drives into us we simply scorn
the uncivilised and shameful hacks
whose weight on us is the worst tax
of all the bads by which we're torn
name something and it does not die
there is no magic in plain speech
who faces demons should not flinch
live long enough to give them the lie
to what you can to chide and teach
and never retrocede a single inch