Once a Professor, Always a Professor

I climbed, O Petrarch, the peak in
Cap and gown,
Sky-square on my head.
An eagle buzzed the tassel
And I carried an injured fox
In the duck-tail hood
(School colors: phlox white
And lupine blue).
I lettered my name in the lead
Box on the peak — in Latin;
Then perorated on
The dearness to cap and gown
Of academic freedom,
Applauded by both
Featherdom and furdom.
Granite papers with lichen
Print, please copy.