Ensor Poem

Someone calling himself James Ensor posted this on Usenet Jan 1 2001, It is much better than my feeble attempts at poetry.

Dichotomy #1: The Real James Ensor painted many Christian Images. Strangely enough, most experts believe that his images of the Christ were self-portraits.
Dichotomy #2: I am posting it on a server at the Vincentian University of DePaul.


The Strength Within

I do not need a god.
No greater powr exists
to tell me how to think,
and help us through life's twists
and turns. The tests we all
must face from day to day,
we plow through them alone
to make the world better
for each and every one.
I do not need a god. 

My strength comes from within
my steeled heart and mind.
I'm 'lone responsible.
A fool's attempt to find
a goat to hang his faults
upon leads others to
pretend to know the same,
A hidden entity
for his mistakes he blames.
My strength comes from within. 

Integrity and truth
are in this life of mine.
Performing in my name
I 'lone commit my crimes
and goodness. Need no Eth-
ics from on high to tell
me right from wrong; to find
the dif'rence look inside,
for guide me does my mind.
Integrity and truth. 

At death I do depart
this world of lies and pain.
Reward and trial I must
find before I am lain
to rest. No one is raised,
no one is damned, instead
we all sleep. Unconfessed
sins, Honor unmaintained.
Our acts left to attest.
At death I do depart.