ADVICE FOR THE NEW POET LAUREATE

Congratulations, Mr. Simic,
Elected Poet Laureate.
I pray, Sir, that you will not mimic
Your predecessors’ hoary rut.
I know indeed, Sir, you’re a poet;
And like a Sherman you should show it-
I mean the general William T.
Who burned the South so all might see
How well the ashes of destruction
Gave rise to civic free-for-alls.
No poetry, like Donald Hall’s,
Can ever be the liposuction
Of fatty brains. For now, a truce
To see if you’re of any use.