| I admit the briar |
| Entangled in my hair |
| Did not injure me; |
| My blenching and trembling, |
| Nothing but dissembling, |
| Nothing but coquetry. |
| I long for truth, and yet |
| I cannot stay from that |
| My better self disowns, |
| For a man’s attention |
| Brings such satisfaction |
| To the craving in my bones. |
| Brightness that I pull back |
| From the Zodiac, |
| Why those questioning eyes |
| That are fixed upon me? |
| What can they do but shun me |
| If empty night replies? |