that the Poetry Foundation use some of its vast wealth to fund a
low-cost health-insurance program for poets in need.
The
idea has stuck with us. On several occasions, in several locales, people
we respect responded to the idea with unalloyed, unforced enthusiasm: "What a great
idea." "I'd support that." "That would be a worthwhile and creative use of
funds."
We believe that many older poets — poets from the grand generation
born in the 1920s and 30s — are in financial need, sometimes dire,
and deserve generous support. Their well-being should be a high priority. But it is
also part
and parcel of the larger humane desire to create a true sense of
community, and not just the lip-service that this word customarily gets
— even at times from the very institutions charged with forging the
good works that community requires.
Speaking only for ourselves, we also feel that younger poets — going from
one adjunct position to another, underpaid at each, exploited, working
in situations of maximum uncertainty, spending countless hours angling
for their next nomadic appointment — also deserve something better than the parsimonious treatment that breeds discontent and
competitive envy.
Let us hear from you if you have thoughts on this timely matter.– DL and SDH (Oct. 7, 2013)