'It just needs editing'

 

“Poetryis everywhere.   It just needs editing.”–James Tate

 

Bornin Kansas City, MO on Dec. 8, 1943 Tate grew up hoping to become a gas stationattendant.  After struggling in highschool and overcoming being in a gang, he fell in love with writing whiletaking college classes on a dare.

  

Ultimatelyhe earned three college degrees, taught poetry and creative writing in severalmajor colleges, and became one of America’s greatest poets, winning both thePulitzer Prize and the American Book Award.    He authored 16 books of poetry and 30 booksaltogether before his death from cancer in 2015.   For Saturday’s Poem, here is Tate’s,

 

                                         Teaching The Ape ToWrite Poems

                                                   They didn’t have much trouble

                                                   Teaching the ape to write poems:

                                                   First they strapped him into the chair,

                                                   Then tied the pencil around his hand

                                                    (The paper had already been nailed down).

                                                    Then Dr. Bluespire leaned over his shoulder

                                                    And Whispered into his ear:

                                                   “You look like a god sitting there.

 

                                                     Why don’t you try writing something?”