I have been a mystic,
Thrilled with fire divine.
I've been atheistic,
Scoffing at design.

I have been a stoie,
Stifled passion's flame.
I have been heroic —
Till disaster came.

I have been a sceptic,
Burned illusion out
With the antiseptic
Of dissolving doubt.

Now I'm merely nothing,
Fleck of foam astray,
Fancifully frothing
Till it fades away.