Malformed Offspring
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
Camille says Greek and Roman sculpture thrived
On in medieval armor, very male
Forms but of course. Such slickness has survived
In metal masculinity. Bewail
Strong ancient art as Modernism does
But it survives despite the temper fit
Of Cubists and such lots. Spurn silly buzz
Surrealism’s cheap thrills give, a bit
Too amputated from the things we care
For . . . and Expressionism’s even worse.
We know that there is nothing quite like bare
Perfection. Our rejections can be terse.
The helmet on a head of god or knight
Is truth. A kink in genes produces blight.
~ Phillip Whidden