City of Woe

‘In the midway of this our mortal life,
I found me in a gloomy wood, astray,’

My grief, my sadness, my sorrow
I’d as lief go today as tomorrow
Smother this life away
And let me begin again.

I disputed, I promised, I talked
I imputed my own failure as I walked
Those I loved, I betrayed
Please let me begin again.

It tied, and entwined, and knotted
I cried as my finite mind plotted
The rope tensed with my descent
Why did I not begin again?

‘Eternal, and eternal I endure.
All hope abandon ye who enter here.’