THEY DON'T SHOOT POETS HERE
a synopsis of the poetry scene in toronto
after 14 years
pablo neruda would
still be alive and well
living on a farm
somewhere outside toronto
working as an insurance agent
or a manager at a local bank
doing readings here and there
sponsored by the canada council
lorca's blood
would be cold and tempestuous
spilled only at a tavern
probably over and during a
hockey game in which
his team got an unnecessary
penalty
rimbaud undoubtedly would be
in a rock band
as a singer or lead guitarist
complaining about "the satisfaction"
he can't get or why his band is
unable to sign a recording contract
with a major record company
poets in greasy old hogtown just
don't have anything to scream about
"what's his name" just masturbates
in front of his audience
and "you know who" wonders why
he/she isn't famous
from Surplus Waste and Other Poems by Shaunt Basmajian
I published this with Unfinished Monument Press in 1982
Shaunt gave me a dedication for editorial assistance
photo from abebooks.com
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