Youth Lasts Forever: Recollections of an Aging Author

By William H. Friedman

This book is called Youth Lasts Forever: Recollections of an Aging Author. It is done in rhymed stanzas. This is what the title refers to. For me, it is a form of poetry more traditional and disciplined. In this way, it differs from my two books, Hearts and Minds and From Paris with Love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984551801

William H. Friedman

First credit is due to Mrs. Maguy Joseph who empowered me to write my books. Kristen Neal is my partner in all my three books. The latter is Kristen Neal my fiancée since 2001, who is my favorite critic and inspiration. As to myself, I am the poet of “Youth Last Forever”. I am 75. I am a graduate of Williams College (next to Havard, surely the best liberal art school in the country). I also was a teacher at Howard University, the foremost black university in the country. As they say, Semper vertitas!

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Copyright © 2018 by William H. Friedman.

Library of Congress Control Number:              2018910551

ISBN:                  Hardcover                     978-1-9845-5178-8

                            Softcover                       978-1-9845-5179-5

                            eBook                            978-1-9845-5180-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Rev. date: 09/26/2018

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CONTENTS

Billy Joel’s plea

High living

A Second Troy

Narcissus Lament

Narcissus Regained

from Dover Beach

More poems

Announce it to the world

We are like siblings, like sister and brother.

After many a year,

Still we hold on to each other dear.

I have an idea to model myself upon the old masters

a triptych, a mural, or a fresco

created by me alone but ranking high in the annals of graphics.

Somehow I must find myself

far out or in deep; or far from the city lights

where prose or poetry could mystify

my efforts at least in normal sight.

Again the silence was deafening

we started to rummage through the garbage

a part of an eaten frozen tuna sandwich

bare sustenance lessening.

I was well beyond the pearly gates

in springtime when flowers exploded; or

on a telephone wire. The birds and

the bees joined in as if it were a new song,

in the guarded space and closure great.

If I challenge a foe in mortal combat

I’ll be held back by my scruples

Neverland would be my place of origin

hope of feather in my cap.

Just fine, I reply to all our friends,

who asked how I’m coming along—

through a castle in the neighborhood

where we fight hammer and tong.

I felt relieved when the cops came along.

And as I stood on the corner of Spring Street

who should come by but an old Williams friend

we shivered… And shook hands

before a flood of memories did contend.

Why fight against time: there’ll come a day

when we all will be burdened by the truth.

atttest old men looking agape

in Washington Square where chess and checkers are played.

A few problems in my mind

These dark, challenging days

May I one day re-read my novel

before the sands of Time carry me away.

I sang silently to myself

I whistled a happy tune

God’s in in his heaven, I remembered,

no more thought required, I assumed.

when will you return the books I lent you?

if you were a boy, one I’d select…

but as you are what you are

I chalk it up to other faults I neglect.

We sat in the sun taking in the rays

I awaited your comment, your voice

had I done something sophomoric

to make you regret (or reject) such a

day so gray?

Of course I’m aghast at your fear

how we can share a life together

once we’re a part of the chosen few

whose worth is well known and forever?

At a trial, where justice is felt,

I’m not part of the judgment. Just play it by ear.

Reporters in the court withered beneath

a large fan their voices sotto voce but I can hear.

"Well, and what’s your advice for living

day by day? "Am I underneath a court order?

I signaled to my partner in crime to surrender

papers, affidavits– careful no fibbing!

An arc in geometry taking place

under which calculus can measure.

It spells certain success to those few

mathematicians for instant pleasure.

If I’m lucky maybe I’ll have a chance

to develop from the status quo

into a monster with good intentions

a Rsasputin (Svengali)who easily puts others in a trance.

Really, when reality is too hard to escape:

as Robert Frost does in Birches

at least I can imagine myself that youth

whose dreams are less cerebral than truthful.

It must be admitted during the overture

that I am part of a distinguished trio

of jesters and kings and officers

with nothing to do but to play loud and with brio.

A baker, a confectioner with busy hands,

and flour that he wipes on his apron,

goes to the counter explaining the price

to the vibrant lass with eyes that are hazel amd vacant.

Why oh why do the stars in the sky

compete with the beauties in the garden below?

a prayer made is taken. No one with false compare

can cross our dreams just for show.

Lest I forget the order of the animals

on Noah’s Ark (while Noah drunkenly naps)

I think of people fitting the earth with offspring

who also put presents in God’s lap.

My wealth, my riches, my possessions,

sold to the devil, you pay your price

your private income rubies and pearls

whose worth’s unknown. My flag is unfurled.

All right, she said, I’ll go out on the date

with you who are so insistent

how to realize, to re-direct energies

if you stopped being so persistent.

I made a query about crime and punishment

was a novelist laughing at me?

I pulled my socks up, Prufrock -style

like a fool I smirked guiltily.

Beautified is a vile praise,

Polonius ad- libbed to his family

yet what better word could he use

in accordance with Shakespearean tragedy?

I must fill a quota of daily