Sunday Funnies

What do Poet Laureates do, exactly? Are they truly, official “lightning [rods] for the poetic impulse of Americans?” Do Americans have a poetic influence? Pinsky thought so. Seems he was right, too. How have other Poet Laureates dealt with their role as “lightning [rods]”? Robert Penn Warren continues to inspire. Gwendolyn Brooks had a halo made of sunshine and syllables revolving around her head and inspired a plethora of films and digital poems as did Billy Collins in his tenure, and Louise Gluuck,
who apparently inspires readers to post her lines of poetry everywhere from kitchen counters to bathroom sinks. Ted Kooser seemed to have touched everyone, even the kids, which gives new hope for poets who think poetry has lost its audience. What will Charles Simic inspire? How will he be a lightning rod?
Only time will tell.