Innocent Inspection 7/27/09

My paint brush is like a telescope. It helps me to discover things.

DB - The Vagabond
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Happy Monday to you.
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According to a recent report the Russians are planning to send a poet up into space on one of their Soyuz missions. I was having a conversation about that with someone the other day. I, being an artist, think it's a great idea. She, not being an artist, or for whatever reason, thinks it's a stupid idea.

I remember back in the 50s or so, when American Airlines first introduced their 707, they hired a poet, Carl Sandburg as a matter of fact, to fly back and forth in the plane and write about it. Those poems not only sold people on the 707, they also, and even more importantly, described the experience of air travel to people who were still unaware of it, and described it in ways only a poet can.

I have always thought, and frequently said in the past, much to other people's amusement and scorn, that I believed there should be a poet in space. Poets see things ordinary human don't see. It seems appropriate somehow that the Russians, the first people in space, should be the ones, especially considering their vast and colorful literature, to be the first to send a poet.

I spite of what the super practical may think, the telescopic mind of a poet can enhance the experiences and possibilities of outer space. Poets are seers and can fortell what others cannot. A poet will discover because he won't look for what he expects to find. A poet will talk to space and listen as space replies. Poets are at home in the stars.

Poetry must be defended, with an army if necessary.

I look forward with anticipation to read what words the poet has to utter.

DB
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Laugh at the heat. Smile at the breeze.
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