Putting aside any thoughts on the relative poetic genius of Whitmore and Whitman, both of which have in abundance, I'd say Whitman's mug is a better look than Whitmore's -- though Whitmore's eyes look more kindly at me, so I like him more.
But the kicker for me was listening to John's voice. He sure can read a poem -- which counts in my book. After all, what would a Tom Waits song sound like without his trademark gravelly voice?
Sally's is a partisan poem. Rave away. That's what formalists are prone to do, no? There is an audience for each and an audience for both.
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