Patti Smith and her band give an age-defying performance

At a time when we endlessly debate the proper age of our leaders, rock's reigning poet laureate makes 77 feel like just another number

On Friday afternoon, Patti Smith stood on stage at the Englert Theatre and shuffled through papers and books like an absent-minded creative writing teacher in a lecture hall, looking for the right poem to read as she took her glasses off and put them back on, apologizing for being a bit disorganized. She was an endearing presence, like a favorite aunt w…