When kindly words fail to alleviate
What I, in grief, cannot but torment name
Do not withdraw or empathy constrain
But keenly note what I would fabricate
In weak attempts to carefully create
A world without my wilderness of pain;
And having glimpsed tumultuous terrain,
I beg thee go in prayer to supplicate.
For earnest words to greater powers sent
Are sweeter than the temporary pride
Obtained from wit or tenderness applied
To fest’ring woes that cannot be content
With any but the tenderest of balms,
The ointment dripping from his piercéd palms.