Sonnet to Metaphysics

(an outline of A. J. Ayer's Language, Truth and Logic, for History of Philosophy)

O Metaphysics! Whither have you strayed?
Your propositions none can verify:
No possible experience can aid
In answering your statements "nay" or "aye".
Historical and general reports
Prove likely, as all non-tautologies;
We even doubt disproof's assumed supports.
To mean is to be judged by what one sees.
That adjectives and verbs describe a noun
Makes substance seem distinct from accidents.
"Exists" precedes all attributes ("...is brown");
Misused, it posits things past what we sense.
Poor Metaphysics, lower than poetic:
Not "purposefully poignant", just pathetic.