“The Decline of Verse” by Gary Beck
Emotional eunuchs guard
the portals of poetry
and arbitrarily judge
who is allowed to enter.
Armed with the weapons of style,
they have forgotten substance.
In the safety of college
they are immune to the struggle
that consumes mankind daily,
and prefer a metaphor
to an unadorned statement.
They never seem to wonder
why people no longer feel
a thrill reading poetry.
(Gary Beck’s poetry has appeared in dozens of literary magazines. His recent fiction has been published in numerous lit mags as well. His chapbook, The Conquest of Somalia, by Cervena Barva Press. His plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocoles have been produced off-Broadway. He lives in New York)
Thank you for contributing, Gary.
Comment by Rodger Jacobs — April 13, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
“there is a battle outside and it’s ragin’”
This hits the mark!
Comment by Scot — April 14, 2008 @ 2:56 am
Yes, I keep coming back and examining this one repeatedly, Scot. It’s damn good.
Comment by Rodger Jacobs — April 14, 2008 @ 10:26 am
I am someone who wrote in college way back when–took all the poetry classes–did the whole academic writer’s circle thing and published in the university presses–got out before the big wave of MFAs, but did think about Iowa–due to a professor’s urging–so I can identify.
Comment by Scot — April 14, 2008 @ 4:47 pm