Farewell to Rocinante
Don Quixote said,
It would have been much better.
Oh, Rocinante!
My dear and faithful friend,
Your nostrils have ceased to quiver.
This tiny piece of earth is sacred now.
The brave horse heard,
But made no answer.
The smiling universe looked on.
After you, there can be no other,
Despaired the addled Don.
And I shall never ride an ass.
It simply would not do.
Rocinante did not move.
The knight�s speech was dignified,
But not one word was new.
Nor can I leave you in this wilderness,
A thousand miles from home.
The wind would cry your name,
And the sun would bleach your bones.
�Tis a shame you�re such a heavy beast,
Not light like yonder clouds.
I�d convey you on my back
Through the cities and the towns.
Oh, Rocinante!
See how your master frowns.
Deflated by his speech,
Don Quixote succumbed to sleep.
In his dreams he carried Rocinante.
Bowed by his drooping burden,
He yearned for faith and friend.
No more did he save the world.
When chill night air revived the Don,
La Mancha�s stars were gazing down.
Rocinante! the poor fool cried,
You were here, but now you�re gone.
He looked in horror at the vacant ground.
In his tears he would have drowned,
If not for Rocinante�s wit.
The horse snorted from behind,
Then relieved himself on Quixote�s lawn.
In the morning they moved on
To another bright adventure.
June 26, 2005
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Also by William Michaelian
POETRY
Winter Poems
ISBN: 978-0-9796599-0-4
52 pages. Paper.
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Another Song I Know
ISBN: 978-0-9796599-1-1
80 pages. Paper.
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