286. A Cute Poem

April 25, 2011

Q: I remember a poem that went something like this:

(Something something) are modern poets a delight
They only write what they will read and only read what they will write.
And thus they resemble those certain rare birds
who drink their own pee and eat their own turds
…
and leave it to others what purpose is served.

A: The poem (titled “A Cute Poem”) is from the September 1979 (Fall Potpourri) issue, part of an article called “P.J.’s Potpourri”, by P.J. O’Rourke.

Comments

As models of economy modern poets are a delight They write what only they will read and read only what they write. Thus they resemble those certain rare birds who drink their own pee and eat their own turds, achieving a wonderful self-sustainant state as they neatly dispose of the mess they create. Both the birds and the bards are a delight to observe, they conduct their consumption with gusto and verve and leave it to others what purpose is served.

—Chris Williams

March 14, 2012 9:23 am

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