I read Neal Pollack’s article “Everybody Shut Up!” in the February 28 issue of the Reader. While it might be slightly entertaining, it is certainly in bad taste in the shadow of a real war for our country. I find it in extremely poor taste. It is also an insult to not only all U.S. poets and writers who are making a real effort and actually trying to do something about it, but to all the outspoken activist poets and writers throughout the world who have been imprisoned and tortured for speaking out and taking a stand against oppressive governments with military inclinations–a stance our own government is unfortunately headed in with the current deterioration of civil liberties. Perhaps Mr. Pollack would like them all to shut up too, while only he voices his silly disapproval in what is not a laughing matter.
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just won’t
they have to shout out
that shouldn’t
poets will always find their voice
the muse will relentlessly see to that
