that unscheduled passage
through the echo chamber
where worshippers of night
stare at a shrine to gloom
was not meant as umbrage
nor as some forced labour
but so you would yield light
straight in the eyes of doom

that sudden sommation
into the court of pain
where judges of conduct
wield a ruthless hammer
was no condemnation
nor a mark of disdain
but so you could deduct
how hurt signals error

that guided excursion
up the stream of hardship
where the specters of fail
inhabit every reef
was not destination
nor meant to sink your ship
but so joy could prevail
still in the fount of grief

that unplanned adventure
round the deep pits of hell
where the womb of all fear
has constructed her lair
was never to censure
nor fealty compel
but so your faith shone clear
at the heart of despair

§