I thought I knew
yes,  I was so sure
couldn't be persuaded
otherwise in any way
couldn't endure
what others said
time strengthened
my belief which became
my daily bread
I was ready for everything
that lay ahead--

one night years after
a strange dream crept
over me-- to the furthest sea
I was wildly swept
and a voice, so loud and angry
rose from the depths
and said:
all answers you claimed
to know-- now is the test
at your dying seabed
could you bravely
upon the waters tread
or are you cowardly and in dread?

in terror I woke up
so clearly remembered
the words that had been declared
like a child I bitterly wept

upon the early dawn
a new person I became
casting into oblivion
every single word that
in the past I had said.