while love is what i squandered
by giving praise to you
being undesired and uncalled
not raised to bear us fruit
spoiled before the bud could blossom
it never was my aim
nor did i ever try
to shoot in that high mark
yet that's the goal i reached
spilling life to score increase
in pain and scorn
and a store of loss
and wasted thus i failed
to keep your high esteem