“Have you read ‘Break of Day’ by John Donne?” my son asks.
“I haven’t,” I reply, “but that’s more of a failing on my part than a reflection on the greatness of John Donne.”
“John Donne sucks.”
“You can’t talk about metaphysical poetry without giving it up for John Donne.”
“I don’t want to talk about metaphysical poetry. How is that ever going to help me?”
“Someday you’ll quote a snippet of Andrew Marvell in a status meeting and people will be very impressed. Verrry impressed.”