Upon completing a new collection
Of odes, eulogies, lyrics and poems,
He now sleeps in a downhill tavern
With a jug of wine nursed in hands.
The king has sent for him
His first three ministers, but he
Dares to decline the imperial call
To the post of a Poet Laureate,
Retorting to the ministers as nicely
As he could, saying candidly,
"Your Excellencies, I am a deity
Of wine and poetry who is dwelling
On high and all above the pantheon
Of five emperors and six kings
Of great antiquity! You now
Invite me kindly to be kept
In the Royal Palace as a court jester
And fed like a pig to be then
Slaughtered and offered up
On the altar of Heaven and Earth. . .
Hence, I prefer to decline
Your highly valued proposal and,
With your magnanimous permission,
Take my leave, dear Sirs.”
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but his happiness counts!
Well done, Alex!
Always,
Deborah
Ron