I've drifted all the way to
Eighty-five without ever
Drawing a conclusion,
Conclusions such as Leopardi
Derived from the thousands of
Books in Maldanado's library
Which he precociously absorbed
Apparently deducing afterward
Firm conclusions about mistakes
God made, chief among them
Leopardi's hump rendering him
Capable of falling in love three
Times but not appearing such
As to receive reciprocity which
Was determined by the God in
Whom he no longer believed.
I'm not sure how many it's been
For me, not sure anything quite
Qualified until I met one not as
Fearful as the Italian but just
As firm in her own convictions
Which held God blameless
Despite her illness while I
Drifted into grief and might
Have leaned Leopardi's way
Had I not as the kaleidoscope
Paused seen the smile of the
Shy Being's own conclusions.
