OLDGUY: SUPERHERO—

HIS ORIGIN

Oldguy’s from Smallville, just like Superman,
who got all the press. But Oldguy was born there,
on Elm Street, where he was christened “Irving.”

His parents, common as lima beans, chose
to ignore his flying around the nursery and his
solving calculus problems at three months.

But the neighbors complained about him flying
their kids on his back when he soared for ice cream,
rattling their windows and spooking their pets.

So he was packed off to boarding school, where
thanks to a wise mentor and loose regulations,
he matured into Youngguy: Superhero—

though low-profile, discreet. Who tipped the balance
against the Nazis? Pump-primed the UN?
Rid the world of polio and Stalin? Neutralized

Pol Pot and the KKK? “Mum” was his only motto.
Then one day, he got up, looked in the mirror,
and suddenlyOldguy stared back.