When yesterday arrests you, do not yell.
Wisdom increases not but wanes with age.
Let fly in silence when you go to hell.


Before that mellow Welshman's villanelle
yellows below you on the fallow page
and yesterday remands you, do not yell,


but tell the tale I always like to tell:
the one about the jailbird and his wage,
who flew in silence ere he went to hell


because he knew that in the world's pell-mell,
it would prove ridiculous to rage, rage
against that goodnight when the twilight fell


and chose instead to let the silent swell
enthrone him in thought till his heart said, "Sage,
when yesterday surrounds you, do not yell",


and instantly perceived redemption's bell:
rare music seldom knelled at worldly stage.
When yesterday impounds you, do not yell.
Fly into silence from your cage of hell.