The Grandfather
walks slowly
using his staff
but not
too noticeably

His cloak
once a
Regal Purple
with trim of
Gold and Scarlet
is now
just a shadow
of  its
former grandeur

He does not dwell
on the past
but occasional
memories
of nearly forgotten
victories
still present
themselves...

whole novels in verse
preserved
and translated still

Marvels
of new thought
made accessible to
the non-reading masses
through memorized songs

At first
he had to teach himself
to avoid the bitterness
of being shunted aside
forgotten by the very
“Arts” he had actually
opened the door for

He had hewn trails
of appreciation
in human consciousness
where none had
previously existed

With the passing
of ages
he dreams once again
of seeing a stirring of
Poetic desire

Painted Canvas
Carved Stone
and Music
will then hold doors
open for him…

Computer Children
dance in circles
chanting rhymes
that were
inspired of him
before the
printing press
was dreamed of

Now he sees
the wheel-within-a wheel
of his own path
the spirals and circles
that encompass all things
the reassurance that
even though
forgotten of men
nothing
worthwhile
is ever
left behind

Curtis Delk Rose
03-22-03 & 24-10-16