There Once Was a Poet from Nantucket

With weary end-of-session stroke
the governor has vetoed
a measure academic, passed
by solons (some be-speedoed).

The poets in the great white north,
bereft of recognition,
sought of them one, to laureate.
A spiffy state position!

'midst locking grids and haunches kissed
(to the Governor, abhorrent).
"Cold Omaha?", T-Paw replied,
"We can benefit from the richness and diversity of all of the poets in Minnesota and recognize and embrace their work as merit and circumstances warrant".

Indeed, one wonders, why the fuss?
Good art's about the struggle!
But nay! Bill Holm (and of his ilk)
with government wish snuggle.

Said Holm (a P.L. candidate),
aroused, acerbic, unctuous:
""Mr. Pawlenty seems to think that if you keep from raising taxes, the imagination will cease to be rambunctious."

"Rambunctious"? That's what Bill Holm calls
the rhyme of institution?
Puh-leeze. Rambunctiosity's
an invariable dilution

when making Art an official act
with government approval!
(and Bill Holm's snarking well reveals
grounds for the bill's removal!)

(Elitist fop! I mean, good lord,
have you ever interviewed
to get a job? Well, here's a hint:
*Agreeable*. Not rude).

(And of your fey non-sequitur,
don't even get me started!
The gig's unpaid! No taxes due!
Read slower. Screed aborted.)

And so let slip the dogs of doom
from Crocus Hill and Kenwood!
"Fie!", Keillor cries, the doom to mourn
in every neighborhood!

And yet in humble offices,
and dens, cubes and garages,
the unheralded writer turns
and wrestles her mirages,

and tames them, without hue or cry.
And then she tames another!
This is the state of art, and I would
trade it for no other.

So stab the bill clean through the heart,
and of it speak no more.
And perks to poets? What of that?
That's what their fans are for!