My last poem is dedicated to my former students, many of whom
are here in the audience.
Thank you for letting me learn with you
and letting me be myself.
Make mistakes.
I appreciate it.
I hope you recognize this place.
"The place may be clean and tidy,
and have for furniture only a mat.
If there are windows, if they are large so much the better.
If there's a flower or a picture, that's special.
If there is a teacher, there may be respite from sorrow.
If there is rain, remember the occasion of the double rainbow.
If there is a marriage, there may be need of a goat.
About beauty, the old ones could not have foreseen.
If there is love, think on these things, honey, nuts, olives.
If they are taken from nature, there
will be nothing to behold, nor an eye.
A poet will have to sing of the ineffable as true.
To begin with a palace of pearls."
Thank you.