(seq. 8)

June, 1955

[Written] With good wishes to a [??] lady,
a precious friend and a wonderful
wonderful person, Dr Miriam Van Waters
of Framingham [Written]

Commencement Song

Lover, lover, the way is fraught
With many a bauble madly sought
And many a cry and counterplot
Against your art.

Over the world what foils for you,
What black turned white and what
false turned true,
What ancient alarms resound brand new
Before you start.

Lover, lover, the rose is best,
The rose of service that's Heaven-blessed,
Better than--well, than all the rest
That falls apart.

After Passing a Derelict

Lord, the afflictions all of us inherit,
Let them be mine at once: I shall not cry,
But not the beaten look, the broken spirit;
Lord, I should rather die.

Suffered like Dismas leave me, lacerated,
Reft to the heart and spat upon, a sight,
(Cadaver-cold upon the cross and hated)
But never beaten quite.

Dungeon Solilquy

Enemy, this hour is not forever;
I count my chains and yield,
But only til tomorrow, some tomorrow
Upon another field.

Enemy, I pity you this moment,
Yet ah not then, not them!
Take every spoil and may God keep you kindly
Until we meet again.

Jim Kerrigan