Don't Be Frightened

Man, the egregious egoist,
(In mystery the twig is bent,)
Imagines, by some mental twist,
That he alone is sentient

Of the intolerable load
Which on all living creatures lies,
Nor stoops to pity in the toad
The speechless sorrow of its eyes.

He asks no questions of the snake,
Nor plumbs the phosphorescent gloom
Where lidless fishes, broad awake,
Swim staring at a night-mare doom.


Cold Blooded Creatures, by Elinor Wylie


I live in a household that not only stoops to pity the toad, but might also do the same for certain inanimate objects. I expect this helps explain how holiday gifts such as this find their way into our home.