GREAT WITLEY

Not in ambition, but in exhaustion, I could receive
     the love of those whose lives encompass mine;
     not in resignation, nor the dull concurrence of the blind,
     but only when ambition’s effort fails to undeceive
     and drives unconscious the brain unable to conceive;
     not in ambition, for yet ambition strives to find
     one strong faith within the flickering mind
     to shine through the darkness they’ll not believe.

Nor is it love that lifts its eyes but cannot see
     beyond its own dull circle of light, its failing flame,
     that cannot see into our dark infinite shame.
     it is not love, but love and passion, the muddled plea
     of those who dare not distinguish day from night;
     who take what I lose, a love that is the common right.