[THE_EPISTLE] May 12th

[Ian Dickerson]

Ian Dickerson wrote:
> By way of celebrating what would have been Leslie's 99th birthday 
> today I thought I'd post this, a poem he wrote called "The Ballade of 
> a Septuagenarian".
>
> Ian
>
> ***
>
> It seems an idiocy sublime
> that we poor sprigs of Adam's breed
> take half our lives to reach our prime
> and spend the next half going to seed;
> but somehow, it has been decreed,
> Man's years are rationed to three score
> and ten -- which mine right now exceed.
> I could enjoy a few years more.
>
> I can still chisel out a rhyme;
> I still have countless books to read.
> Show me a clock: I'll tell the time
> at half a mile. And you don't need
> to shout at me to make me heed.
> I stride as briskly as of yore,
> I eat with gusto but not greed:
>
> I could enjoy a few years more.
> I may no more seek trees to climb
> or yearn to mount a fiery steed,
> but pleasure's in whatever I'm
> enjoying doing, not the deed.
> I've no infirmity to plead
> save finding pompous twits a bore:
> while wit and reflex keep their speed,
> I could enjoy a few years more.
>
> L'envoi
> Dear God: unless you badly need
> my help with some supernal chore,
> though in the end I must concede,
> I could enjoy a few years more.
>
Thanks to Saint Richard Usher, who got this read out by Henry Kelly on 
BBC Radio Berkshire this morning.

Ian