How Do I Loathe Thee

How do I loathe thee

How do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways.

I loathe thy pernicious, base deceits --

thy duplicity, like a canker eats,

gnawing truth and virtue till it flays

innocence to the bone...and it bleats

as a black lamb led to the slaughter prays

the shepherd may yet come search for strays.

Thou'd sacrifice the poor and old -- it beats

feigning compassion thou never hadst. Trust

is a viper in thy foul embrace – heats

thy soul with greed and unholy lust.

How do I loathe thee? Deeper than a well

is the foul, black fountain of disgust

sprung from thy dark deeds: go home -- to Hell.