Only fools study poetry

Rather look deep into the wandering river

Or look longingly at the young women

You know the ones

The ones that have those long flowing dresses

The ones that cling then sway then cling again

Only fools study poetry

The village idiot writes it

Your father is bitterness

Your mother is despair

Born of these is death

Frolicking in pity

Deceit and anger flourish

Jealous rage is a banner

Held up to mark the folly of

Wasted life and love never realized

Living my life

Like a three act play

Now I am in intermission

Listening to the popcorn and cashews

Talk about their soap opera lives

Wondering why I cannot rinse the soap out

Just hearing the opera