BILL KNOTT (1940-2014)

well he's finally gone

and his foes

imagined or otherwise

can launch their poisonous screeds

and mock his genius for wordplay

and the depth of his embrace of

his own chaos

the very hallmarks of greatness

to which they themselves

will never lay claim


let them stand forever

outside the circle

lauding their mediocrity

and the praise that attends it

let them make vases

of cheap sentiments and (UGH!)

'teachable moments'...


when you stand in the fire

you don't know anything but fire

and Knott never stood

anywhere else...


until now....






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