It was the time–the one and only time–
And never afterwards a  time again.

I sensed she was behind me, and I felt
Her desolate, enormous helplessness
With such a fierce compassion that it seemed
My very heart must claw out from my back
And leap the space between us…But, summoning
A strength from some cold fathom of the will,
Garrotted peace…Slowly I turned around
And, nodding curtly, turned away again.

Such was the weird delirium of pride
That I knew an instant`s triumph...
Ah, but since?
No shunning the knowledge since -
I know too well-
I am shrunken capable of hell!