Submitted by an anonymous source:
I Am A Poet Inside the Trump Administration -- And Part of "Poets Against Trump"
The Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum is taking the rare step of publishing an anonymous post in our plog (poetry blog). We have done so at the request of the author, a poet working in the Trump administration whose identity is known to us and whose reputation would be jeopardized by his or her disclosure. We believe publishing this post anonymously is the only way to deliver an important perspective to our fans. You could submit a question about the essay or our vetting process, but it will go unanswered. We’re just too busy preparing for the upcoming conference of the Dickinson Organization of Poetry Enthusiasts.
I work as a poet for the Trump administration, and I wish I could say that like-minded poets and I have vowed to thwart parts of his (very shallow) arts agenda – but there are no other poets here. There are no artists or musicians. There are no singers or dancers. There are no sculptors or painters. As a matter of fact, there are no other creative types in this very shallow and swampy administration. As a result, the United States is facing a real test to its character unlike any faced by a modern society.
Part of the dilemma — which Trump in no way grasps — is that there is no support for nor any appreciation of the arts in this barren administration. I would know. I am the only poet, the only creative being working (red stapler in hand) in a recess in the basement of the White House.
As the president continues to act in a manner that is detrimental to the creative health of our republic, I believe my first duty is to this country. That is why I have vowed to do what I can to fight to preserve our creative institutions while reporting on Mr. Trump’s misguided impulses. I will continue to compose poems of resistance until he is out of office.
The root of the problem is the president’s total lack of imagination and spirit of creativity. Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible principles that guide creative thought. The man does not read books. He has not read a poem. He does not appreciate artistic endeavors. He does not visit museums or theaters. He does not care about operas, plays, or symphonic concerts.
We may no longer have a president welcome at the Kennedy Center Honors, but we should still venerate all of the honorees -- they are the true stars if not lodestars in restoring honor to our nation. Mr. Trump may fear creative individuals, but we should celebrate them.
It is very cold comfort, though, in this chaotic era to know that there are no other poets in the room.
Does the country fully recognize what is happening?
Perhaps this November voters will do what’s right since Donald Trump can't.
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