A couple of old farts


You are people who know more than you should
Proudly showing off your educations
And the hapless public laps it all up
You would both be emperors if you could
To be older and still to care so much
About things that only concern the younger
And still not be free to say what's no good
Is in your own witty parlance a bummer

Are you not still looking for accolades
From universities and foundations
For sweet teas and biscuits served on a plate
I think I would prefer sour lemonades
You would compare yourselves to the greats
I'm very envious of your bravado
In claiming to read under everglades
For the gilded prince of El Dorado

The precepts that thrill you ignore the thanks
To the maker for making us the same
Cocooned in what you call just society
You have forgotten how art is about angst
You have careers and want to eat them too
To pass through the eye of the needle Jo
You must give things away to charity first
Then someone will direct you where to go

The trouble is going against the grain
It's too late when you have for all your life
Chased glitter, posture and the taller frame
When you should have been out there in the rain
For a bit more before seeking refuge
In prestige earned doing other duties
Avoiding really the rough and hard pain
Now looking for art amongst toiletries

Twisting around, covering tracks, losing threads
Of what is really going on as you speak
Making sounds like those coming from a beak
Selected items from the top of your heads
So approving of pluralist gibberish
Miscomprehensions of the common heart
As if drama only happens in beds
But this too I suppose can be called art

Don't worry you are in the good company
Of so many souls living in the dark
Only that not for all is life a lark
But we all know the sound of timpani
So while a fine polish covers your concerns
About sounding like a couple of old farts
I think I feel that for the same money
You'd rather be down the pub playing darts

Lucignano, 1 2 2007