John Ballard + 

In the lust of my strength + 

I cursed God, but he paid no attention to me: + 

I might as well have cursed the stars. + 

In my last sickness I was in agony, but I was resolute + 

And I cursed God for my suffering; + 

Still He paid no attention to me; + 

He left me alone, as He had always done. + 

I might as well have cursed the Presbyterian steeple. + 

Then, as I grew weaker, a terror came over me: + 

Perhaps I had alienated God by cursing him. + 

One day Lydia Humphrey brought me a bouquet + 

And it occurred to me to try to make friends with God, + 

So I tried to make friends with Him; + 

But I might as well have tried to make friends with the bouquet. + 

Now I was very close to the secret, + 

For I really could make friends with the bouquet + 

By holding close to me the love in me for the bouquet + 

And so I was creeping upon the secret, but⁠— + 