a letter i chanced upon

i’d been warned that you’d lost - which intrinsically implies debatable prior possession -

the use of your blessed faculties since you got the blighted faculty position

and it is hereby confirmed by your dim-wittedly obtuse correspondence

validated, now with evidence, by your inordinate preponderance

on my deplorable limitations and your scintillating achievements

in your insufferably domineering tone that’s become a pain

and i can read that undermining condescending smile again

used to point out my shortcomings

just to cover up your insecurities

arising from some awry

sense of rivalry

allow me to say only

that i plainly refuse to respond. surely

you wouldn’t take any offence and please

you mustn’t refuse me that right - to hold my peace

having known you, however, since we were both guileless little kids

and wishing you well, i might as well add a bit of a postscript:

stop strutting around like a prize cock in his prime

and go smell the flowers while there’s still time