A well-respected friend

            Used Greek mythology

            In every poem or diatribe

            I thought it was a crutch

            But, as his junior, didn’t have the guts

            To tell him his allusions were

            Old-fashioned, out of date and

            Out of touch, and that

            They weren’t worth the pound of flesh

            Or gold – 

            Until the woman by my side

            Encouraged me to stand my ground

            My colleague to his credit

            Heard me out and shook my hand,

            And greeting my companion

            Slyly cried ‘Eureka!’ 

            She, being older and much more

            Experienced than I in 

            Matters of diplomacy,

            Returned a smile

            As if it were a joke