A bill establishing an official poet laureate in Minnesota met a tragic fate.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty penned the fatal verse when he vetoed the bill. The Republican governor took the action Friday but didn’t announce it until Tuesday.
“Even though we have a state ‘folklorist,’ I also have concern this will lead to calls for other similar positions,” Pawlenty wrote in letter accompanying the veto. “We could also see requests for a state mime, interpretive dancer or potter.”
Pawlenty is so cultured. Comparing poetry to street mimes. That is awesome! Yes, poetry really serves no purpose other to fill the coffers of pan-handlers. Who needs poetry? Blah! Poetry is lame. What has poetry ever accomplished anyway? It’s not like poetry has ever had any meaningful impact on society. Like in affecting public policy, or opinion. If anything, I would say mimes have contributed more to society.
Aaron Fulkerson 