Three did sit at Paradise's gate
Three did talk there, three did wait
Three had crimes that they did learn
Three were there; three did burn.
The first to talk was a young man
"To burn, you see, was not my plan."
The other two nodded their heads to agree
"The reason, of course, was curiosity.
Of that virtue I have no lack,
But, alas! Satisfaction did not bring me back.
When I died, I knew it all,
But perhaps that was my downfall.
There was nothing wrong, that I could discern,
So it was my own fault that I did burn."
Three did sit in silence for
Perhaps an hour, perhaps more.
Three did think upon this tale.
One did talk; two grew pale.
The second to speak was a woman of youth
"To burn was what I wanted, though it sounds uncouth."
The other two waved their hands to excuse it away.
"The reason is one I dare not say,
But it's tormented me, and nothing soothed the pain;
Not knife to the heart, nor a bullet to the brain.
When I died, I feared reprimand,
For I gave punishment of my own demand.
Was I wrong? Was I right? Was there something more for me to learn?
Because I needed to, I decided to burn."
Three did feel a great regret
For the things One could not forget.
Three did calm their frantic wits.
Three did draw themselves from mental pits.
The final one to speak was a girl who felt wise, yet was so small
"To burn, for me, was for no one; but I was told it was for all."
The other two tilted their heads a strange interest.
"The reason I burned was because I had to, lest
I would have no mother to love me; I'd be all alone
But when I found the truth, I tried to atone.
When I died, I had no choice.
I was a figurehead for a cause with a silent voice.
Against my own body I was forced to turn.
And for no reason, I was required to burn."
Three did open Paradise's gate
One's did learn; One's curiosity did abate
One did erase the memories of lore
One did hold sovereignty; One was constrained no more.