My gift? My gift? My burden, onus, cross,
Spine-bending load, soul-chafing, grinding yoke,
Bit, spur, leash, collar whereupon I choke,
The gain that means my ease and freedom's loss—
This gift of words, bequeathed I know not why:
This keenest hound without a scent to track,
This knight without a dragon to attack,
This arrow with no target but the sky.
Thou madest me a steward, but what for?
A herald with no message to proclaim,
Shall I condemn, exult, blaspheme, adore,
Spit, sing, scream, carol, cry, laud, lie, praise, blame,
Repudiate my powers forevermore—
Or only murmur patiently Your name?
