Classic Poem

Ten years ago he first wrote notes from Maine,
The warm rare friend whom I have never seen.
And now Virginia sends me his Yankee name
Signed to Greek columns with a lanky pen.
Across whole fields of paper he strides at ease——
Full-bellied Bacchus roars as the rhythms flow.
If forests bemoan the loss of tons of trees,
Gould chants new songs to help new forests grow.

He lives alone down there among his cats.
Great he's and she's and kittens roam the house.
The hundred eyes between the narrow slats
Have saved his paper from the nibbling mouse.
He gives them steaks and chops and marrow bones;
They bring him peace to build his singing stones.