What is a poem? A poem’s a game!
Let no man make a stronger claim,
For literature, the same as art
Is useless, serves no purpose.
It may amuse, it may perplex,
Or fascinate, or simply vex,
But science not art or litt’ is king:
A poem serves no purpose.
It can’t be eaten, can’t be worn,
(Though may be old hat or corn!),
It doesn’t contribute at all,
A poem is art, is useless.
Who says so? Me! And Oscar Wilde,
And everyone who knows the score;
A poem’s words, and words are talk,
And talk is nothing more.
January 14, 1985
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