06/08/2026
Happy Birthday Andrew Taylor Still!
“Why not let me go? My work is surely done,
The joys of wealth belong to some other one.
With dollars I want to build no temple of fame,
I love a life where joy can come to all the same.
But the world is in many things quite new,
I will gladly stay if there is more for me to do.
Perhaps I had just as well be content,
I may have thirty years or more to be spent
Rejoicing with the wise, and combating with fools,
In the open field or halls of progressive schools.
So, just let the eagle scream or the panther growl,
I will be content to stay with wolf, hyena and hooting owl.
My belt is around me and it closely hangs as of old,
I swear I will work harder, sleep little and guard the fold.
This is the true soliloquy and it is very true,
It is the oath and banner of your friend Andrew.
So this is my say, never to be said again,
And I will now close the story as I say – “Amen.””
Soliloquy of ‘Dew [2009.10.133]
Image: Andrew Taylor Still Portrait; ca. 1899. Black and white dot portrait of Andrew Taylor Still wearing a dark textured suit with a vest and dress shirt, watch chain visible, beard is long and salt and pepper colored; 12.9 cm (w) x 14.9 cm (h).
