My own heart let me more have pity on (Gerard Manley Hopkins)

My own heart let me more have pity on; let

Me to live to my sad self hereafter kind,

Charitable; not live this tormented mind

With this tormented mind tormenting yet.

I cast for comfort I can no more get

By groping round my comfortless, than blind

Eyes in their dark can day or thirst can find

Thirst’s all-in-all in a world of wet.

Soul, self; come, poor Jackself, I do advise

You, jaded, let be; call off thoughts awhile

Elsewhere; leave comfort root-room; let joy size

At God knows when to God knows what; whose smile

‘s not wrung, see you; unforeseen times rather – as skies

Betweenpie mountains – lights a lovely mile.

--Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. (1844-1889)

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