A “successful man” pushes through the water of years, soaked in bloody mistakes and slimy triumphs over those he considers lesser. On the shore of money, he buys silken banners with the bones of fools—each one showing off his own face—and purchases trivial bows using the skins of wise men. The grotesque details pile up: he makes a soft blanket for his contented sleep from the painted flesh and marrow of others. The speaker’s voice is soaked in disgust. This man stands heavy on a pillar of skulls, bragging about trampling babies, smirking and dripping as he delivers speeches in what he believes is blameless ignorance. The final word, “Innocence,” lands like a bitter hiss—he genuinely sees himself as pure while perched on a mountain of the dead. The mood is bleak and ferociously accusatory, cutting straight to the predatory self-delusion that hollow success demands.
The successful man has thrust himself — Summary
The successful man has thrust himself Through the water of the years, Reeking wet with mistakes -- Bloody mistakes; Slimed with victories over the lesser, A figure thankful on the shore of money. Then, with the bones of fools He buys silken banners Limned with his triumphant face; With the skins of wise men He buys the trivial bows of all. Flesh painted with marrow Contributes a coverlet, A coverlet for his contented slumber. In guiltless ignorance, in ignorant guilt, He delivered his secrets to the riven multitude. "Thus I defended: Thus I wrought." Complacent, smiling, He stands heavily on the dead. Erect on a pillar of skulls He declaims his trampling of babes; Smirking, fat, dripping, He makes speech in guiltless ignorance, Innocence.