WHY THE HECK DO COUNTRIES AND STATES NEED POET LAUREATES? WHAT’S THE POINT?

 

1. So far as I can tell, a state’s/country’s “poet laureate” serves the same function as a state flower or state bird.
   The upside is that, being a human and allegedly creative, they can become more than what you planned for, enhancing their PR value far beyond what a flower or animal can do, flowers and animals being predictable.
   The downside is, being a human and allegedly creative, they can become less than what you planned for, turning into a PR nightmare far beyond what a flower or animal can do, flowers and animals being predictable. And, as you noted, plants and animals don’t require payment for permission to use them for PR.

   Posted by GrumpyOldFart       05/04/2009  at  11:42 AM  



2. Duh Ya gotta have ‘em ‘cause ya gotta show dat ya got cultuah.  Dey shows ya got cultuah.  If ya ain’t got no cultuah den peepul won’ look up atch ya.

   Posted by Dr. Jeff       05/04/2009  at  05:33 PM  



3. During certain national events, when everything has gone without a hitch, and people are enjoying the program it is the function of the poet laureate to stand up and make the educated in the audience cringe in embarrassment, and the less educated regret that they don’t have enough education to appreciate the poetry being recited, and to show the world that while America has great poets, none of them ever rise to the post of “poet laureate”

   Posted by grayjohn       05/05/2009  at  06:39 AM  

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.