Classic Poem

Though authors are a dreadful clan
To be avoided if you can,
I'd like to meet the Indian,
M. Anantanarayanan.

I picture him as short and tan.
We'd meet, perhaps, in Hindustan.
I'd say, with admirable elan ,
" Ah, Anantanarayanan —

I've heard of you. The Times once ran
A notice on your novel, an
Unusual tale of God and Man. "
And Anantanarayanan

Would seat me on a lush divan
And read his name — that sumptuous span
Of " a's " and " n's " more lovely than
" In Xanadu did Kubla Khan " —

Aloud to me all day. I plan
Henceforth to be an ardent fan
Of Anantanarayanan —
M. Anantanarayanan.