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  Eloquence is heard. Poetry is overheard. — John Stuart Mill

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“The Obamas hosted a night of poetry reading and the spoken word featuring James Earl Jones, Esperanza Spalding and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The night also included musical interludes, modern poetry and excerpts from Shakespeare.”

More from the AP

“Jammin’ in the East Room” from the NY Times

I was thinking of Allen Ginsberg’s America today and it occurred to me that there have probably been a few epistles written to President-elect Obama lately.  Here’s a poegle based on a few of them.

Dear Barack Obama

Dear Barack, I grew to like you over the last year.

Dear Barack, I feel like waking up from a bad dream.

Dear Barack, I’m glad you’re cool.

Dear Barack, I want an exurban cycleway.

Dear Barack, I hope you can keep that light of yours burning bright.

Dear Barack, please honor your energy commitment.

Dear Barack, can we start killing Conservatives, aborting full-term babies and acting like communist Islamofascists yet?

Dear Barack, there are things you should know about Turkey.

Dear Barack, you’re wrong about small towns

Dear Barack, if you want it come and get it for crying out loud!

Dear Barack, just so it is clear, I do not rely upon you to change my life or change my heart.

Dear Barack, I know we haven’t spoken in a long time.

Dear Barack, frankly your wife is so cool.

Dear Barack, I’m really sorry to hear about your Grandma Toot’s death.

Dear Barack, I love you back.

Dear Barack, may I call you Barack?

Dear Barack, you are cool, but look at this picture of Oregon.

Dear Barack, you have no idea what it is like down here on the streets.

Dear Barack, the dust will not settle.

Dear Barack, don’t piss off Anne Hathaway.

Dear Barack, it isn’t easy being a transformational leader, is it?

Dear Barack, a goldendoodle is not a breed.

Dear Barack, I don’t know specifically how to contact you on this matter.

Dear Barack, thanks for listening.

-Editor (search phrase “dear barack”)

Some think that Barack Obama might be considering incorporating a poetry reading into his inauguration.  Of course, he’s a poet himself.  Via Poetry Hut:  “Speculation is rife in the poetry world,” says Tree Swenson, executive director of the Academy of American Poets. “Given that he is so eloquent himself and so tuned to words, the assumption is that, of course, he will have a poet at the inauguration.”  More.

Barack Obama apparently wrote poetry in college, at least according to a purported class mate who took a creative writing class with the President elect.

Maya Angelou is said to be writing a poem about Obama.

Also, even after winning the election, Obama is still reading poetry.

Make sure you get a chance to read John Ashbery’s election day poem in the New York Times, Informercial 2.

There were five other poems in the paper on the Op-Ed page.  Perhaps the New York Times was inspired by the Friday Poegle Contest?

The Friday Poegles Contest is still accepting submissions on the the theme “The Election”.  Here is an example of a fine election-themed poegle from last week’s winner.  I also commend you to Leaving Alaska, something Sarah Palin apparently will not be doing for the moment. 

Evidence of Things Hidden

When (you) go into the privacy of the voting booth, it’s you, God and the candidates. (And the) voting booth or some other form of privacy cover to obscure the voting screen from the view of others. The pipefitter (who) won’t be voting for Barack Obama. (A) vocal, black Obama supporter. Elderly or otherwise vulnerable voters. Public observers to assure that no one accompanies them to influence them. Spirited BOOMers who want to explore their passions. That extra X chromosome on the Republican ticket.

Our conscience.
The Privacy of the Voting Booth? Face that conundrum.

To some observers, the race is already over. Like everyone else (I am) waiting. (I am a) Black News Junkie.

Liz in PA (search phrase “privacy of the voting booth”)