GRANDEUR OF THE UNIMPORTANT

APZ Books The reasons a contemporary American poet might consider writing political poetry these days are too many to name. I would include the government’s attempt to silence dissent in the media, in the Justice Department, the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, even members of Congress; to attack the research and consensus of scientists and science; to dismiss manipulation of our democracy as “nonsensical”; to question the integrity of judges and elected officials; to attempt to take away health care from millions of Americans, especially the vulnerable, poor, women, children, and the elderly; as well as to alienate, discriminate against, and deport immigrants, while banning Muslims from coming to this country. American poets might address festering issues that predate the current political situation, writing toward issues like economic dislocation for working-age, non-college-educated…