Despair that stings at failure's vicious blow,
And darkens every hopeful, brilliant light,
Who grows with every gruesome loss I know—
Against thy pow'r I will forever fight.
The dart that zings past shield and sharply through
My breastplate, piercing to my very heart,
Way lays my mind as failure clouds my view—
A war with poison pessimism starts.
This poison can't be fought with sword or spear,
For poison runs its shady course within.
But there is reason not to fall to fear—
My Great Physician holds the medicine.
Afflicted oft, but never crushed while here;
Perplexed, but never driven to despair.
