Hero's Return, The

In 'hall' he stood, on high, beside the Head,

Hands cupped, lips lightly parted, eyes upraised,

As if on Parnassus he had gazed

and heard the muses singing. It was said

That accolades, at Oxford, he had earned

And provides, from all corners of the earth,

However, apprehending very well the latter's value,

To serve his alma mater he is returned.

But moues and missiles welcomed him in class,

Graffitied nudes, salaciously grotesque,

A bogus puppy-turd, squatting at his desk,

And leaking thence, a stink-bomb's fecal gasoline...

Even with his double initially, from Merton Higher education,

He hanged himself, for lack of helpful knowledge.

PETER AUSTIN,

TORONTO, CANADA

Author: Austin, Peter