The Conferral
At his own request
and by a marginal majority,
like another praetorian,
he was proclaimed honorary president!
Yes! At his own request!
On the day of the conferral,
dressed in his favorite attire,
he appeared feigning ignorance
and offered thanks with visible emotion,
that his great contribution
was finally being acknowledged.
Those who knew the backstage story
looked at him with contempt
and, as was only natural,
smiled mockingly.
Those unaware congratulated him,
that such a supreme honor
and such lavish praise
he received while still alive.
Let every notion of self-respect
be swept away by the wind!
The day was for bestowing honors,
and he had more than amply
taken care to enjoy them!
Let them too be swept away by the wind,
all those who secretly or openly mocked him
or will dare to mock him!
He was recorded as honorary,
and such an honor all of them
will never have!
Never! Unless,
to the charming allure
of venerable vanity,
they too someday yield.
Panagiota P. Lampri, Greece