By Goodness and by Evil so Surrounded

By goodness and by evil so surrounded, how can the heart

Maintain a quiet beat?

It races like an idling engine, shaking the whole machine;

And the skin of the inner wrist is blue and green

And yellow, where it has been pounded.

Or else, reluctant to repeat

Bright battles ending always in defeat, / From sadness and discouragement it all but fails;

And the warm blood welling slowly from the weary heart

Before it reaches wrist or temple cools, / Collects in little pools

Along its way, and wishes to remain there, while the face pales, / And diastole and systole meet.