licensed to kill

/
a footnote to my post from a couple weeks ago: http://knottprosepo.blogspot.com/2011/07/uh-this-first-poem.html


*
I imagine the hierarchs at Poetry Magazine were disappointed that their attempt to assassinate me in 1972 failed,

which is why thirtythree years later they hired the lit-rump Meghan O'Rourke to give it another try—

And this time they succeeded.

Their second murder plot did me in:

after this latter "review" appeared in 2005,

I had to retire from my teaching position,

I lost what little professional standing and esteem I had in the poetry world, all of its venues have blacklisted me,

and since then I have been forced to self-publish my books thanks to the poisoning of my reputation with everyone in the legitimate poetry-publishing field—

No doubt the despots at Poetry Magazine have rejoiced these past 6 years over my decline;

how they must relish my downfall and the final ruination of my career:

to know that their vendetta against me has triumphed in the end,

to know that their vicious attacks have finally finished me off.


*
And their hired assassin, Agent Double O'Rourke? Well, following this

termination-with-extreme-prejudice,

The Paris Review appointed her as an editor.

If anyone reading this is looking for a scheme to boost their career in PoBiz,

I recommend kicking my corpse around: look at what it did for her.


///