Nuda Genu

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG SCHOLAR
STRUGGLING WITH AENEID
THERE CAME A PHRASE
NUDA GENU
BARE OF KNEE
WHAT RHAPSODIES TO A YOUNG MIND
A BARE KNEE ON SOME COMELY MAIDEN

NOW THE KNEE THAT I ADMIRE
IS OLD AND BROKEN
IT NEEDS REPAIR

TWO KNEES
A LIFE APART
ONE
THE FANTASY OF YOUTH
ROOTLESS
THE OTHER
THE DREAM OF AGE
ROOTED IN LOVE
AND STRUGGLE

TWO KNEES
TO ONLY ONE I GENUFLECT
I SEE ONLY
COMELY MAIDEN
NO MATTER
HOW OLD

FRANK A VOLLMER