Behold him,single in the Staff,
Yon post-sixty retired teacher!
Reading and writing by himself;
Watch him,or call him`Sir'.
Alone he reads and writes what comes,
And to himself his bygone hums;
O listen!once his classes swelled
When out from his mouth great words welled.
No students ever turned their heads
Away from his eyes when he talked
To lead all into subtle shades
Of the topics he taught.
His jokes did all intently hear
While talking to them in his spare,
He who could not relish his points,
Sure in his head there's some disjoints.
Will one tell what he reads and writes?
Perhaps his trembling fingers count,
After how many days and nights,
His pension-sum would mount.
Or is it look-back for the days,
With eyes caught in a haze,
That which would never,never turn,
What's gone with time is, Bygone?
Whate'er he reads and writes,old man,
As if he shall be busy thus,
I saw him reflected in me,
For a while,please,all of you hush!
Let me watch him till he and I
Join in heart and heart,eye and eye,
Him shall I bear beyond to-day,
To post him in his world away.
- December 7, 2008 5:39 pm
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