Advent's pennanced-hope!

THE
GRAY
BOX

I'd pray
But I can't.
I'd play
But I shant.
I'd stay
But I won't.
I'd lay
But I don't.
I'd say
But I choke.
I'd pay
But I'm broke.
I'd weigh
But I'm pared.
I'd slay
But I'm scared.
I'm clay
But I scope,
For the gray
Box, I grope,
Where sin
Meets its rope
At despair's end-- now hope!