The ancient heart of Rhyme

12 May 1980

How strange to see the ancient heart of Rhyme
Upon the Western roads for the first time.
Excised from all the body politic,
Sent fleeing down the carriageways to tick
And take the aspect of a vagabond.
How strange the world, how savage the despond
Which, overturning twenty thousand years,
Exiles its ancient heart to its frontiers.