I stepped into
an avalanche
it covered up my soul
when I am not
this hunchback you see
I sleep beneath
the golden hill
You who wish
to conquer pain
you must learn
to serve me well
You strike my side
by accident
as you go down
for your gold
The cripple here that
you clothe and feed
is neither
starved nor cold
He does not ask
for your company
not at the centre
of the world
When I am on
this pedestal
you did not
raise me there
Your laws do not
compel me to kneel
grotesque and bare
I myself am the
pedestal for this
ugly hump at which you
stare stare stare
You who wish to
conquer pain
you must learn
what makes me kind
the crumbs of love
that you offer me
they're the crumbs
I've left behind
Your pain is no
credential here
it's just the shadow
shadow of my wound
I have begun
to long for you
I who have no need
I have begun to wait for you
I who have no need
You say you've
gone away from me
but I can feel you
when you breathe
Do not dress in
those rags for me
I know you are not poor
You don't love me
quite so fiercely now
when you know
that you are not sure
This is your world
beloved
it is your flesh
that I wear
This is your world
beloved
it is your flesh
that I wear