Gruesome spectre, I fear thee,
For I understand thee not,
Nor recognize from whence thou came.
Yet, my tender child, I love thee;
A child from my heart, thou art
From me, though I don't know thy name.

I cannot fear thy dark and closed source,
No matter what thou art --
Whatever tender spot or heinous elf --
If thou art truly expressed of my soul,
Straight from my heart,
And I love myself.

©1985