His eyes told him tales of the truth on the page
As he gazed on in wonder at what lay before him
His ears let him hear all that came from the sage
While faithful companions took care to inform him
His hands brushed the wisdom both carved out and clear
And his touch held reminders of tangible reason
While tongue on his teeth flicked out, tasting the air
For a hint of the wind lends direction and season
But all was in vain, all fine senses quite useless
He wrinkled his nose and refused to be swayed
Afeared that his fellows might mean him abuses
He shut his mind tight and ignored all good faith
In place of his conscience mistook for conviction
The volume of ignorance over all proof
Provoking confusion and much needless friction
For stubborn and wilful his painful excuse
Respect slowly dwindled to fall by the wayside
While fatuous rhetoric ruled in its place
Contempt for authority lacking in substance
All those his compatriots filled with dismay
No lessons were learned by the boy in the bubble
Preferring his policy of Simon says
He polished the rod that he’d careful constructed
Preparing to swing to the end of his days
Katherine Shirley 