I had to look up saphiophile
[perhaps I’m not that astute
& should not attract users of
such backassword words] – I
have been found wanting – a
boring play of disrobing with
a pernicious [& unpalatable]
soul led to my misreading of
lines – no prompts called out
[too many years played for a
bay from those stalls – uglier
punters every show] – In that
theatre sat learned ones – as
our curtain fell they called – I
took a bow – my errors forgot
because they dashed all acts
a hundred years before – Still
we take each ovation as if all
of it was ours alone [we men
who dress in auld costumes –
who live for tossed off love] –
So let me read my lines alone