<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Theft<\/strong><\/p>\n is a winding but necessary route <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nto the pinnacles of equality.
\nTo strip a flat bare is to fill it with light;
\nobjects usher in the dark.
\nFew homes today are forgivable
\nas the rank odour of my pervades them
\nso burglary is purifying,
\nan amicable greeting by the robbers,
\ntheir way of letting you know you are useful
\nand therefore that they accept you.
\nYou may be proud they sit at your desk
\nand riffle through your papers. It is true
\nthey are looking for cash or trying to adopt
\nyour identity but did anyone else ever show
\nsuch an active interest in your life?
\nAnd they admire your onyx ornaments,
\nwish they could get a worthy price for them.
\nThe admiration of a thief is sincere
\nso you can feel safe, as long as you let yourself
\nbe freely robbed. The moment you inform the police
\nand they begin their stumbling enquiries
\nis the moment you should move out.
\nIf you instal a burglar alarm, even a token box
\non the front elevation,
\nyour burglars will feel insulted.
\nIf on the other hand you purchase
\na costly bunch of sparrow-hawk feathers
\nfrom the blind girl in the Strike St Market
\nand hang them over your door
\nnothing will disappear from your rooms.<\/p>\n