Was ever life as meek as mine?
Herded to persuasion.
Cowered by belligerent storms,
Abstaining provocation.
This world, this mire, these bitter pills,
This barming pot of cultural ills.
Violated minds, tilted wills,
And cleansing correlation.
I seek no fight in lieu of peace,
No assertive conversation.
Contemptuous preaching to the lay,
Or coercive meditation.
This world, this cage, this itching lair,
Of seedless glory, ripe despair.
Cast the peace, and leave me there,
In tranquil isolation.