Simic Steps Down

Charles Simic has resigned his post as Poet Laureate of the United States, effective immediately. He gave his last presentation as PL on May 8 at the Library of Congress. All of the previous Poets Laureate had held their position for two to three years. Simic left the position after only 9 months. Other than this vague press release, no reasons were given for Simic's early departure. He expressed a desire to spend more time writing poetry. However, with his cynical world view and well known intolerance of misguided authority, one may reasonably assume that politics were involved.

In honor of Mother's Day, this double-edged poem from the brilliant and bitter Mr. Simic.

AUSTERITIES

From the heel
Of a half loaf
Of black bread,
They made a child's head.

Child, they said,
We've nothing for eyes,
Nothing to spare for ears
And nose.

Just a knife
To make a slit
Where your mouth
Ought to be.

You can grin,
You can eat,
Spit the crumbs
Into our faces.