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I made myself so visible that I

was found by many who were fond of me;

but some of them refused what they could spy

when, more of me, they found and got to see.

That made me make invisible the whole;

for if one hated what they saw within,

how much more would they hate the whole—the soul—

if ever I allowed them to peer in.

But this, for years, forgot a perfect fact:

we cannot love what things we cannot know.

So I made me more visible, and that,

my friends, is not now boast, nor prideful show.

To show, with heart, everything that you are,

attracts hearts that can’t love you from afar.

~~~

Forget not, while in hell, to take the time

to smell the sulfur, touch the dried-up rose,

to irk an imp by rambling a rhyme,

and pass a flaming pyre with furrowed nose.

You only get one life in hell! Enjoy!

You’ll be in heaven after—don’t forget

to use damnation like a little boy

would use life: curious, without regret!

Leave no brimstone unturned! No barb uncrossed!

Make every devil remember your name!

Let hell know well your hanging albatross,

and let it ring forever with your fame!

And spit just once, and rub the moisture in—

make Satan’s garden fester with your sin.