Loved by women and admired by men,
A prince among writers lay dying,
The slow betrayal by his body
Robbing him of hope of the long life
That in his youth he had expected,
Finally to slip away in peace
Enfolded in the loving embrace
Of devoted family and friends
After a long and fruitful autumn
His passing celebrated in song.
Yet though his body was decaying
His thoughts enshrined a new clarity
Words flowing from his mind in a stream
Of enlightened visions of beauty,
In a pulse of creativity
Whose legacy would enrich the world.