a doctors tale

the old doctor sits on his porch
and smokes
while he reminisces about
directing plays
walking the boards
as a young Lysander
a middle aged stagehand
paints the handrail
dressing the gray stage
where his rocker rests
for his monologues
about brain surgery
drivers and these days
perhaps soon he shall
be as one with Lear
a king eternal
but for now
he continues to play his role
beneath a brilliant painted
blue sky