Aspiration

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God knows I strive against low lust and vice,
  Wound in the net of their voluptuous hair;
  God knows that all their kisses are as ice
  To me who do not care.

  God knows, against the front of Fate I set
  Eyes still and stern, and lips as bitter prest;
  Raised clenched and ineffectual palms to let
  Her rock-like pressing breast!

  God knows what motive such large zeal inspires,
  God knows the star for which I climb and crave,
  God knows, and only God, the eating fires
  That in my bosom rave.

  I will not fall! I will not; thou dost lie!
  Deep Hell! that seethest in thy simmering pit;
  Thy thousand throned horrors shall not vie,
  Or ever compass it!

  But as thou sinkest from my soul away,
  So shall I rise, rolled in the morning's rose,
  Beyond this world, this life, this little day--
  God knows! God knows! God knows!

© Madison Julius Cawein