The Heart’s Repose

The Heart’s Repose

for a belovèd professor

A secret worm gnaws at the heart’s repose
Not a Blake worm as scholars understand—
One whose power through inner anguish grows

Blake himself quite likely the creature knows
Though reason bends-breaks as his claims expand
A secret worm gnaws at the heart’s repose

As saints depart their inner conflict flows
Through heart and mind  without the printed hand—
One whose power through inner anguish grows

Scholar wave their doubts as their knowledge slows
To books where certainties in shadows band—
A secret worm gnaws at the heart’s repose

The brain is stirred and private torment shows
A grief no book can calm nor understand—
One whose power through inner anguish grows

Thou hast known its name doubt that come and goes
O learned heart Thy mind will come to stand—
A secret worm gnaws at the heart’s repose
One whose power through inner anguish grows