I bore a nightmare years and years alone, Until I tired and tamed the monstrous Fear; Restrained Its savage spikes from those at home, That I could live with all I held so dear. So often It could flash and free Itself To press and butt against my skin so fair In dancing ringlets rosy red as Hell, Yet, I would smile as if I didn't care. For sure, the Woe I feared fell out of me Into the brilliant son who loved me so, And he, too young to know that he should flee, Semper fidelis, paid my Secret's toll. The Flaw a mother fears enough to hide Too soon will out and in her child abide.