charles simic named new poet laureate

[meandyouyouyou.livejournal.com]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/02/books/02poet.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Private Eye

To find clues where there are none,
That's my job now, I said to the
Dictionary on my desk. The world beyond
My window has grown illegible,
And so has the clock on the wall.
I may strike a match to orient myself

In the meantime, there's the heart
Stopping hush as the building
Empties, the elevators stop running,
The grains of dust stay put.
Hours of quiescent sleuthing
Before the Madonna with the mop

Shuffles down the long corridor
Trying doorknobs, turning mine.
That's just little old me sweating
In the customer's chair, I'll say.
Keep your nose out of it.
I'm not closing up till he breaks.

- Charles Simic

Comments

[childecleon.livejournal.com]

Ah, I love the mood of this. Thanks for sharing!

[moireach.livejournal.com]

Oh man I can't believe Donald Hall's tenure is over already!!

But NH ftw again!

[loki-fledermaus.livejournal.com]

That's such great news that he is the new poet laureate! I'm not even American, but I'm still pleased. I really like Simic's work and this means he'll gain a wider audience. I hope he does transatlantic readings like Donald Hall did with our guy, Andrew Motion. I'd love to see him read.