I have known princes and peasants;
choked on brimstone
and glimpsed at bronze;
watched self-assured fools rejoice for others' suffering;
witnessed blameless people
deceived by their good hearts
into
guilt;
hearkened to beaten children and their eyeless insights and unknown sobs.
I have been a friend, been a stranger—
at times loved, ㅤ ㅤ ㅤmost times ㅤ reviled.
I have believed many,
and been disbelieved by many.
I have bled my heart and made it stone
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤfreed my spirit and broke it in
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤtilled my mind and let it wither
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤraised my voice and shut it up.
I was the living who took to the heavens; I am the dead who walks the earth.
If there ever was a maker, I cursed its hallowed name—!
but I no longer ache for an impossible revenge.
If I ever hoped for an ultimate salvation,
I learned better of it,
and I cast these notions
to the depths
with all my illusions. I will never forgive,
and I will never forget.
I will never apologize,
and I will always regret.