Wherefore This Hall Of Ghosts

wherefore this hall of ghosts; I go
walking half in shade; I am
what I become, I do not know
if it's becoming of a man
to reason beyond reason's power
when season's call for living showers.

if it be said that men must think
remember that they too must live
and by living come to drink
and by drinking learn to give
(these Lethe-like waters leave me dry,
unlearning joy, afraid to die.)

if thinking be the goal of men
we were to look on reason's face.
our single and unpardoned sin
would leave men hanging on in space,
a space of intellect that's cold
a passion blind, a heart that's old.
my becoming I would not berate,
for I can not escape this fate.