Reward

Gone youth cherished

All innocence perished

A vacuum left of challenge met and duty done

A mortal state fulfilled

Humbled and subdued

For my reward I sued

A strange world with spoils not of land or gold

But richer yet, I had conquered my own soul

And oh, the sweet release

My new world brings peace

Humbled and subdued

before my reward i stood.

c. 1962