To Dante Alighieri

TO DANTE ALIGHIERI As a student I found passion Not in jocks, which was the fashion— but in Dante and his time his haunting tale in perfect rhyme what a mind--- what a brain modern guys just complain Dante my first major crush You set the bar to make me trust That truth and beauty do exist Bequeathed my heart's poor pen persist Betrothed as a child Florentian's law You loved a woman that you saw By chance in public on the street You were lightning on your feet Wonder of a man you were-- All your life with thoughts of her mad love for Bea-- romance afar This love bizarre survived a war Your published work sings just of her Your wedded life seems like a blur-- Maintained your children's adoration through long years of separation Oh, most daunting was your child Adoring you through days most wild And when you lost your wealth and fame She took nun vow's and donned Bea's name And through amazing life and verse You’ve taught me nothing can be worse Than losing dignity and heart--- All valiant souls survive fresh starts.