For Maurice Callard <br /> <br />The Great Gatsby in his forte <br />from the old man’s tears <br />to a group twinkling in the garden. <br />Alas, this is not my exercise, <br />I am supposing to big head the tooter. <br />I am supposing to what? <br />Oh yes, what he represents to me. <br />Well, let me see <br />a fellow author, a good-looking fellow. <br />Yes, I would agree with these. <br />Now what about his bad points? <br />You say he hasn’t any. <br />Well just one or two. <br />What are they you ask? <br />You cannot think of any at the moment. <br />Well, never mind we’ll discuss the good points in some depth. <br /> <br />A fellow author. <br />Well, yes, he is good in fact, <br />some might even say quite brilliant. <br />A good-looking fellow. <br />Well, with the romantic look of Robert Redford <br />and ruggedness of Clint Eastwood <br />need I say anymore? <br />A good teacher, <br />I don’t think there are any complaints. <br />Look, I’ve been going for five years, <br />but maybe I’m a slow learner! <br />A very helpful fellow. <br />Yes, I would agree with this. <br />I agree with anything, <br />but above all my comedy <br />and jest my work purposes. <br />I find him a good friend and honest critic <br />no author could ask for more. <br /> <br /> <br />25 March 1981 <br /> <br />Authors Note: <br />This was written tongue-in-cheek about my good friend for nearly twenty years. When I read this out at one of his classes, everyone had a good laugh including Maurice himself. To me he was not only a teacher, friend but at times a surrogate father as my own father had no time for my writing. Although he is no longer with us all who knew him, miss him.<br /><br />David Harris<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/early-works-tooter/
