In the Company of Great Men

In the still of the night
All are in bed.
Except me, of course-
I sit here alone,
In the company of great men.

I love to stay awake
Late into the night
Entertained by my friends
Until drooping eyes
Force me to say goodbye.

Our discussions are broad
And very entertaining
And I can ask them
Anything and everything
Of matters past or present.

Among my friends
Are great poets, writers
Men of great age,
Fortunes
And misadventures.

And when it is dark
They tell me their tales
And recite to me their odes,
Proverbs and wise sayings
And their funniest jokes.

So in the still of the night
When all are soundly in bed,
I sit here in my library,
In the company of great men.