To really hear what I’m about to say
Is probably impossible apart
From taking in the painting at its heart.
From reeling, in the process, at the way
The blood, beyond its trickling down his brow,
Has gotten in his vitreum somehow.
How otherwise explain the ruinous
Red of his eyes? If that isn’t the saddest sight
Ever . . . If you differ, quite all right,
Although another seemed to see it thus:
Some woman standing not a foot from me
Before a paragon of agony.
The shaking of the head it brought her to . . .
I’d like to think you wouldn’t take amiss
My feeling an affinity with this
So massive it was all that I could do,
Knowing I daren’t totally enfold her,
Not to put an arm around her shoulder.
—Daniel Brown
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
