If I have sinned in act, I may repent; If I have erred in thought, I may disclaim My silent error, and yet feel no shame -- But if my soul, big with an ill intent, Guilty in will, by fate be innocent, Or being bad, yet murmurs at the curse And incapacity of being worse That makes my hungry passion still keep Lent In keen expectance of a carnival; Where, in all worlds, that round the sun revolve And shed their influence on this passive ball, Abides a power that can my soul absolve? Could any sin survive, and be forgiven -- One sinful wish would make a hell of heaven. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO SAMUEL COLERIDGE UPON HEARING HIS 'SOME I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS..' by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE POET (2) by ISAAC ROSENBERG RESPECTABILITY by ROBERT BROWNING BROTHERS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE WAVING OF THE CORN by SIDNEY LANIER OUTSIDE THE TOYSHOP by JANE BARLOW |