[Lightning Bug]

This is a challenge to post your take on the Kimcabal at West Chester in the form of classic poems.

Kim Bridgford
(after Byron’s “John Keats”)

Who culled Kim Bridg-
ford? "We," said West Chester.
"We deemed to divest her,
per our privilege."

Why wield the guillotine?
Who had the dreadful cred -
a founder, department head,
president, or dean?

.

[Ann Drysdale]

Count me out, please, Bugsy. It may be irritatingly "British" of me, but it strikes me as being in rather questionable taste.

[Anna M Evans]

Just to note that Bugsy ran both the poem and the idea by myself and Kim before posting this challenge.

[Michael Cantor]

I'm with Ann Drysdale. We don't know what's going on, the school may be handing out pap (partly, I assume because of the possible legal situation), but at least they're not passing on undocumented accusations. I'm tired of charges and statements by people who know someone who knows someone who knows something but can't be named - and I don't see where this thread will help that climate in the least.

[Anna M Evans]

Never mind.

[Rose Kelleher]

Great idea, Bugsy. What better way for poets to vent about an issue than to write practice poems about it?

Those po-faced American poets,
so dour and politically prim!
Deficient in irony, earnest and cautious,
they never compose on a whim.

Why can't they be more like the British?
You try to have fun and they spoil it.
The British are jolly and earthy and sprinkle
their poems with humor de toilet.

The British think sex is a riot,
well suited to doggerel verse.
Americans try to be grown-up about it,
which only makes everything worse.

Their heads are all up their own arses,
they never just say what they think.
Why can't they be more like the British, who tackle
the truth with a nudge and a wink.

But anyway, back to the topic.
Excuse me if this is seditious.
When competent people are sacked without notice
it tends to make people suspicious.

[Rose Kelleher]

p.s. In case it's not clear, that's not an entry. Just expressing support for the idea.

[Anna M Evans]

Westchester, Schmestchester:
Leader Kim Bridgford was
Fired without warning from
Being its Queen.

I can't quote anyone
Uncategorically
But you can trust me far
More than a Dean...

[Lightning Bug]

Thank you, Ann - most gracious. And as for the tantrum that followed you in, if it's my party he can cry if he wants to.

This Is Just To Say

I have taken
the conference
and center which
you were probably
saving
for others

Forgive me
they are delightful
so fresh
and so cool

[Rose Kelleher]

The Po Man

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the empty chairs and unplugged microphones
Of the conference crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the podium shagged with ice,
The chapbooks rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few fluttering pages,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, unpublished himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.