in the last twentyfive years
gentlemen
i am afraid
i have neither learned
or earned
much
the facts are few
i am a teacher
i have been also
writer soldier
editor taxidriver
lifeguard landlord
broker and pee are man
father husband
son lover
i have lost weight
and kept my hair and my head
and my ten thousand books
i cry more than twentyfive years ago
i am just beginning to find my energy
harvard and i served each other poorly
but that was a long time ago
and i seldom think of it anymore
some of those who did not like me there
did not turn out so well either
but i will probably be in cambridge
in june
as shy as the first time
i came out of the harvard square subway
wondering who i would become there
i am happier now than then
but from time to time
suffer just as much
on balance life has gotten better
i do not know any of you now gentlemen
a few of you i still remember
on very cold country nights
when snow and music make me too quiet
i must add
this does not often happen
i am usually too busy
with my wildness thank you
still gentlemen
we were once all young together
werent we
and so i greet you
and hope that some of you
have been able to save your honor
it wasnt easy was it