This midday witnessed cruel, disparate acts
of sharp rebellion, mutiny, and fear
within this breast, as self-created facts
all mixed with malice drove me much more near
to reefs of my own construct, sharp as glass
and strong as steel. Five pounding times I fell
upon that wicked reef, the heavy mass
of glory-destined hull enduring well
the teeth with which I lined that boundary
twixt God and me, and yet not well enough.
I cracked: my cargo tossed into the sea,
my self so sudn'ly frail when thrown against the rough.
Now night like Turin's shroud is falling fast;
I am adrift and scared, this near to vast.