CULTURE & COMEDY

U. S. Names New Poet Laureate; Speech Clearer Than Poetry

The head of the Library of Congress will name Donald Hall, a New Hampshire resident, as the new Poet Laureate of the United States.

Commendably, the distinction is being awarded despite Mr. Hall’s penchant for speaking his mind on social issues. For instance, he has been a critic of the religious right’s attempts to influence government arts programs, referring to them in poetically belligerent terms as “bullies and art bashers.”

James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, skirted the outspokenness of Mr. Hall, stating that he selected him because of "the sustained quality of his poetry, the reach and variety of things he talks about."

Mr. Hall, 77, stated clearly, "If I see First Amendment violations, I will speak up."

Since we prefer poetry that means rather than just is, we'll pass on more convoluted utterances and present a snippet from his easygoing "Baseball."

Well, there are nine players on a baseball team, so to speak, and
there are nine innings, with trivial
exceptions like extra-inning games
and games shortened by rain or darkness,
by riot, hurricane, earthquake...

We wish him a forthright voice in his advocacies and, even more, in his poetry.

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