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What happens in the near of here,
Self-willed, self-preening, self-absolved,
My hates, revenges – laugh or leer –
That out of Eden once devolved,
When judged by One whom none outstare,
Condemns me to the ne’er of there.
And clamoured in the ne’er of there
Throbs torment’s truth: all that was done
Cannot reverse, for self’s forbear
Is neutered now that hell’s begun –
That folly when the days were dear
Of basking in the near of here!
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© January 2025
