Alexander McCall Smith, author

Today I was honored to meet him and hear him talk here in Southern California.

I here transcribe the poem that he read to end his unforgettable, hilarious at times, talk.

Taken from "The Importance of Being Seven."

Dear Friends, he began, there is no timetable
For happiness; it moves, I think, according
To rules of its own. When I was a boy
I thought I'd be happy tomorrow,
As a young man I thought it would be
Next week; last month I thought
It would be never. Today, I know
It is now. Each of us, I suppose,
Has at least one person who thinks
That our manifest faults are worth ignoring;
I have found mine, and am content.
When we are far from home
We think of home; I, who am happy today,
Think of those in Scotland for whom
Such happiness might seem elusive;
May such powers as listen to what is said
By people like me, in olive groves like this,
Grant to those who want friendship a friend,
Attend to the needs of those who have little,
Hold the hand of those who are lonely,
Allow Scotland, our place, our country,
To sing in the language of her choosing
That song she always wanted to sing,
Which is of brotherhood, which is of love.