Prospero Wiser than Ageing Phillip
My Prospero, it turns out, naps below
The roses in front garden border. He
Doesn’t know I think that this is no
Good way for health. For years my order he
Heard. “Stay out back among the other flowers,”
He heeded. Recently he’s started to
Ignore my rules. He doesn’t know the powers
Of cars with squelching wheels. Out back the view
Is just as good and he can sleep there just
As well. No rushing cars are there to kill.
I do not think that I can safely trust
Him at the front. His death there . . . would be shrill.
But maybe he is wiser. Maybe death
From age disease is worse than squashed out breath.
~ Phillip Whidden