Charles Simic has been appointed the new US poet laureate, replacing Donald Hall. Simic’s wistful, genial surrealism makes him a fine candidate for the position. A friend of mine in Washington, DC, half-heartedly lamented the selection of Simic, and I defended it on the grounds that the position is one that requires the popularization of poetry and entails, more than any other position, the practical uses of public poetry, which must be accessible and, simply put, easy enough for most people to read. I see nothing wrong with this, particularly given that the position is publicly funded. While Simic may not be the ideal choice (Robert Pinsky, Rita Dove, and Billy Collins were ideal), he’s certainly better suited than Louse Gluck, a choice that frankly baffled me and disappointed many others.

I believe poets of a popular type are most appropriate for the position. Imagine a serious, profound modernist like Geoffrey Hill (if he were a US citizen) in the role. As a lark, I tossed together a parody of Hill for some friends:

Hill’s first poem before congress (note the representative from Alabama stifling a yawn):

Attenuated Requiem for the Prominent Men Who Refused to Pay Ship Money and thus Precipitated the Bishops War, or, Upon the Current Highway Bill Before the Chief Legislature, by Geoffrey Hill

For whom the royal patronage opened impeachment,
Ruinous concession; being petition referred, and amongst,
To reinforce, respond the constitution of scrutiny wanted,
Ministers and impressions eloquent, understood.

John Pym, take this appeal for ‘lese-majeste,
Grievances excepted, sought in realms of gray soapstone
Under carved deal and oak, set in trust,
The short parliament opposed and inversion—

Public sound, perforce within late gray light,
Worst excesses purported, dead fur struck to asphalt.

Let me make clear that I am a devotee of Hill’s work, and that I hope word of this meager parody does not make it back to him!