the evening rose

Dialogue with a Friend
(Sonnet)

“Show me the paper, not burnt by fire
And ink that can’t be effaced by rain
If time kills all, then tell me, how
My poor poems can immortality gain”

“True poetry needs no paper or ink
Written on the heart by a sensitive mind
So long as emotions and feelings survive
Will always inspire and please man-kind

“If your poetry sinks deep in the heart
Has faultless art and thoughts sublime
Be assured, passed from age to age
Shall never loose its race with time”

The words of my friend so soothed my mind
That indolence, no further, excuse could find

Mar. ’09