Old Man, recede into your shell

and stopper up that bastion well.

Cram your ears with lumps of dirt

and hide from all that serves to hurt.

Hear not the scream of wind and rain

nor heed the rising swell of pain

that overtakes all living things

(tho Change is what this agony brings).

The guard, the day, the aeon absurd

will alter as surely as the Word!