Poem of the Week

My NEA Poem

William Stafford

A blank place on the page,
like this here "------,"
means, oh it means,
you know, but not said.

And it's better when you come to these
"------"s again
to leave blank places.

But some people
get a grant
and want to show
artistic freedom;

So all they say is,
"------,"
"------,"
and "------."

***

I'm all for freedom of speech, and I really hate censorship. That said, just because you have the right to fill your stuff with smut doesn't mean smut's the strongest choice. Thanks for pointing that out, Mr. Stafford.