Wexler Wrote: "Fewer politicians seemed to quote contemporary poets in speeches, and the relatively small number of name-brand, living American poets died or faded from view. By the '90s, it was all over."

Really? Hmmm...

• Robert Frost reads "The Gift Outright" at JFK's inauguration.
• Gerald Ford appoints Maya Angelous to the Bicentennial Commission.
• Jimmy Carter wrote poetry and released a book of poems in 1995.
• Ronald Reagan often wrote poetry and recited poetry written by John Gillespie Magee after the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger.
• In 1992, Maya Angelou was invited to write and recite a poem to celebrate the inauguration of Clinton.
• Robert Pinsky, Robert Hass, and Rita Dove were invited to the White House during the Clinton administration.
• Langston Hughes' face was put on a stamp in January 2002.
• Many poets, including Sharon Olds (who declined invitation) were invited by Laura Bush to read at the White House.

Oh yeah...I can see how "living American poets died or faded from view."

Four years later, I wonder if Wexler still believes the crap he wrote.  Isn't it safe to say that poetry is still alive and kickin'?
 
Ummm, Mr. Wexler?

• Technology has not killed poetry. If anything, it's made it more accessible. 
• Not all high school kids dislike poetry.   
• 140,000,000 hits for poetry on Google?

So now Mr. Wexler,  I'm still wondering four years later... who the fuck were you to tell me poetry is dead?

Last update : 13-04-2007 00:40

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