Than Paper and a Pen by Mervyn Peake

Than paper and a pen

What is there, then

Needed besides

To make the cold ink burn?

Only a leaping brain;

Only the heart's hot tides;

Only the frond of a fern.

In the skull for a feeler,

Touching on pain-

(Neither hurter nor healer)

Touching on joy -

(Nor for love nor for gain)

Touching on all

for its singular stain.