*****

Recorded Reading (2:37): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a7r6fy0ockh03n7tgceq4/Real-Deal.mp3?rlkey=v3feyjxvt82b8wby8pox5sxim&dl=0

*****

Real Deal

Generations after they have gone to their
Eternal rest, reincarnation, or
Journey to meadows verdant, warm and fair —
Wherever people go when gone before —

Folks shake their heads the fate of writers o’er,
Whose merest scraps of paper now command
Ridiculous cost ownership before
Ne’er to be tickled by an ungloved hand!

“How could they not have known?” we now inquire,
“They in the presence of true poets were?
How could such presence failed have to inspire
Any observer greatness to infer?

“How ignorant those people must have been
In that far gone and unenlightened day
To let the author of these writings keen
In underheated illness — waste away!

“Oh, were we granted but one moment in
Such a grave presence, straight away we would
To put our deepest questions swift begin
Striving to make account of selves as good,

“Then, thoughtfully considered, we pronounce
Opinions worthy of their great respect,
On subtle chance for humor timely pounce
And th’occasional bon mot not neglect!

“Truly, we have come so very far
From that dark age when such might walk among
The ordinary folk on sidewalks are,
As if upon mere sidewalks such belong

“And not upon luxur’ious pedestals
Surrounded only fond admirers by,
Accept for autograph their annuals,
Every word doted on each list’ner by!”

— You have not come so far, not grown so well
Not spread your mental wings, you do not fly
In such clear air you can a poet tell
Any better than they did. Here stand I:

The poorest of your poor, least credible
And most despised among you, subject to
Humiliations so incredible
An enemy would not wish them to view

Do you buy paintings? List sopranos sing?
Specialize in an antique period?
Why do you not a living artist bring
Some sweet relief while it still do some good?

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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