Must we believe that what ascends aspires?
That altitudes are measures of desires?
That nothing mounts until the holy fires
of self have dreamed a height? So Dante taught.
And though it make some difference who inquires,
and how, this world suggests a counter-thought,
suggested, maybe, by the Prince of Liars,
our Adversary, whose prompting never tires:
the eagle's ticks are airborne but no flyers.
(1966)