An existence not devoid of pleasure
Nor lacking even in voluptuous temptation
But you have conceded the necessary regulations
And even served your term on the council
To verify trust integrity virtue policy faith
And all assume the meretricious posture

The possibilities are endless
And hence you deny the finality of defeat
But possibility is not probability
And probability not cause
In the substantial series of bitter losses
Only a few of them physical

I maintain vague memories of midnight revels
Of rising to emergent occasions
Of merciless punishments issued and received
Of debts and windfalls
Of cowering beneath cruel expectations
Of delighting in Medusa’s piercing cantata