Isaac Asimov's Poem

THE PRIME OF LIFE It was, in truth, an eager youth Who halted me one day. He gazed in bliss at me, and this Is what he had to say: "Why, mazel tov, it's Asimov, A blessing on your head! For many a year, I've lived in fear That you were long since dead. Or if alive, one fifty-five Cold years had passed you by, And left you weak, with poor physique, Thin hair and rheumy eye. For sure enough, I've read your stuff Since I was but a lad And couldn't spell or hardly tell The good yarns from the bad. My father, too, was reading you Before he met my Ma. For you he earned, once he had learned About you from _his_ Pa. Since time began, you wondrous man, My ancestors did love That s.f. dean and writing machine The aged Asimov." I'd had my fill. I said: "Be still! I've kept my old-time spark. My step is light, my eye is bright, My hair is thick and dark." His smile, in brief, spelled disbelief, So this is what I did; I scowled, you know, and with one blow, I killed that rotten kid. 1966 Author's remark: "Mazel tov" is a Hebrew phrase meaning "good fortune" and it is used by Jews as a joyful greeting on jubilant occasions - as a meeting with me should surely be. (Me) (Blacktail Books)