As far as speaking out on the war goes, if not you, than who? You’re one of the smartest writers I know. Just coming from YOU is a unique enough perspective.

You know, I might pay some money to listen in on one of George Bush’s conversations with God. I don’t really understand him. Churchill once said Russia was “a riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma.” Bush is a riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma of a moron. I think he takes Log Cabin intravenously. He lives in a world of his own, as far as I can tell.

Thanks for believing I have something to say…I don’t always feel that way. You’ve been so encouraging. —D

I don’t really know who the other poet laureates are but I’m happy that he was chosen for the roster. His words are simple but well thought-out. They could easily be dismissed as being too shallow but they’re not. I liked how you elaborated “County Fair”. The poem emotionally hit me and your interpretation deepened those feelings.

I really love reading your blog. I always learn something new. It opens up a world of literature and writing that I never knew about. It’s like a starting-off point for further learnings on my own. Thank you so much, D.

You’re welcome, anytime, pish-posh, my pleasure, it’s nothing, don’t mention it, a triffle. What did I leave out? I feel the same way about your blogs, which make me laugh and often send me careening off in entirely new directions. It’s just a regular ole’ orgy of a lovefest here in the blogosphere. There ’s alot of crap online, but I’m so happy to find so many new and interesting friends…like you! —D

I’ve used that letter (with Olds’ “May 1968″) as part of unit on American Poetry and American Politics in a team-taught interdisciplinary American Civilization class—along with “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “Star-Spangled Banner,” Melville’s Civil War poetry, some poetry from African Americans returning from World War I, Randall Jarrell’s “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner,” some stuff on Ezra Pound’s trial for sedition during WWII, and Galway Kinnell’s “Vapor Trail Reflected in the Frog Pond.” The idea is to explore the purposes we put poetry (and poets) to, how the role of artist and activist cross and sometimes conflict, and—that endless question—what does all that say about us as a culture. You won’t be surprised to hear, perhaps, that some like Longfellow and are skeptical of Olds and some vice versa.

And thank you for your comment on my comments on your comments. Dialogue is one of the best aspects of blogging—I doubt published writers get responses that are so immediate or interactive…another reason for me not to be jealous of them! —D

I have to agree, he does seem awfully down-to-earth for such an up-on-a-pedestal post. That is, I think, goodness.

While you are writing for that category, maybe you should try to include some Mountain Dew in the post, as I also created a category for THAT and, thus far, no one has seen fit to post in it. And here I am, trying to lead the way…damn.

Having Charlie Simic become US Poet Laureate has sort of made my month, actually. Just when I began to fear American Art—especially the official government sanctioned definition of art—had landed in a thousand-mile wide safety zone from which it would never escape, they up and do this. I’d hardly say all is well in U. S. Bush Inc., but we’re not entirely lost yet. —D

Who does choose the Poet Laureate? Is it an official title? I’d like to bestow Joe Felso with the title of Honorable Haiku Herald. What do you think?

You know, I did some research on who chooses poet laureates, and I can’t really tell. The honor comes through the Library of Congress, so I have to assume they form some committee or something. Who knows who’s on it and how they decide. In the UK, the position has been controversial—historically, you’ve had to be pretty “safe” to get it over there. The same is somewhat true here—we’ve had some bland PLs—but in this case I’m happy. Look at Simic, he uses bad words. I’m so glad they saw past his superficial naughtiness and rewarded him for offering such a human voice. Not bad for someone who didn’t even start speaking English until his teens.

If you Google “Poet Laureate,” you will find that some person does sponsor a “Poet Laureate of the Blogosphere.” Alas, no Haiku Herald. That’s OK, with school starting and all, I’m much too busy for all the ceremonial responsibilities such an honor would surely entail. Think of all the shopping malls where I would have to make appearances! Thanks for thinking of me though. Perhaps when I retire in 20 years… —D