Conditional Release

From exile long and lonely, welcome back,
Beloved of the Senate, People, City!
Subversive not at all - charmingly witty
And certainly no pornographic hack.
In decadent decline, we sadly lack
Such artists as yourself; it's such a pity,
But now you're here, we'll push your every ditty
On Kindle and in tie-in paperback.

Now pedants' pap, force-fed to students bored,
Your tongue's inflections centuries unsaid,
Dear poets note: your nation welcomes you,
Your honour and your laurels all restored,
Provided you are studied more than read
And safe deceased a thousand years or two.

Carmen Sero