Letters
Poetic Licenses

Sunday, March 9, 2008

I have so enjoyed Robert Pinsky's selections, analysis, commentary, and quiet passion for poetry (Pinsky's farewell column, Poet's Choice, Book World, Feb. 24). Thanks to him, I have been introduced to literature I would never have found on my own. Book World is the best part of the Sunday Post (along with Outlook) and Mr. Pinsky has become an essential part of my week. My only regret about his columns is that he had not yet discussed any of his own poems. Now it appears to be too late.

To paraphrase Pope (or Pinsky!), all I can say is, "They had no poet and . . . I wrote a letter."

M. Evon

Middleburg, Va.

Congratulations to Mary Karr for being our new leader of Poet's Choice (Karr's inaugural column, Poet's Choice, Book World, March 2). I am looking forward to the continuing insightful examination of poetry.

For me, Book World is the most important part of The Washington Post and the Poet's Choice column is the most important part of Book World.

Burt Dall

Arnold, Md.

The Editor responds:

In case you missed the allusion, Alexander Pope's exact phrase was: "They had no poet and died." That certainly captures how we at Book World feel about the importance of poetry. When Robert Pinsky's term was up, we leapt at the chance to be resuscitated by Mary Karr. We are awed and gratified by the many letters of support for this column.

And, for all who are curious about the parenthetical in the first letter, here is how Pinsky so masterfully echoes the line from Pope. From "Samurai Song":

When I had no roof I made

Audacity my roof. When I had

No supper my eyes dined.

When I had no eyes I listened.

When I had no ears I thought.

When I had no thought I waited.

When I had no father I made

Care my father. When I had

No mother I embraced order.

When I had no friend I made

Quiet my friend. When I had no

Enemy I opposed my body.

When I had no temple I made

My voice my temple. I have

No priest, my tongue is my choir.

When I have no means fortune

Is my means. When I have

Nothing, death will be my fortune.

Need is my tactic, detachment

Is my strategy. When I had

No lover I courted sleep.

-- Robert Pinsky

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