For Albert, The Mathematics Teacher... Poem by RIC BASTASA

albert posts the latest picture of himself in Facebook.
he looks mature now, his eyes are not sad, his forehead shows
the landing field of the birds of wisdom
the black hairs did not change
tradition sits there, every lock well accounted by time
the nose has remained the silent post
more likely it is here where lights are turned on and off
when something in the mouth gets fishy
when something in the ear gets thorny and itchy

ah, i told him, you are a happy person
despite the decision to remain single in all those 45 years or so

but albert, i want to tell him,
before i must write my conclusion
i still yet
have to see your body...

well, some people successfully lied
at the tips of their toes

slips of the tongues need not be
fully believed as the whole truth

somehow the torso too speaks
just the the feet and the chest

well, do i need to see what is inside
your heart?

this would be too much of an intrusion
i suppose

good luck, stay happy, feel
the sun inside your mind.