The Patriarch
Since I was young, I've been the youngest
and worshipped Venus in the sacred
and fragrant colonnades of even
her humblest serving maids.
Some of the time I've managed to
ignore the silly rules, and valued
a graceful poem higher than
a contract of employment.
And thus I've spent my life surrounded
by books and children. Now my grandson
advises me to act my age.
Outrageous innocence!
Poor stranger, I've been younger than you
for longer than you would remember.
I've celebrated life so long
I am too young to change.
