LOCKLIN POEM IN BLANK VERSE

It’s all been a joke, right? All these weeks as you’ve been publishing this pedestrian prose in your poet’s corner, you’ve been laughing and nudging each other, knowing none of it could pass Emily Dickinson’s definition of poetry.

And now the denouement--”Homage to John Cage”--the epitome of non-poetry! At least Gerald Locklin has a sense of humor.

BEA SPEARS

SANTA MARIA

Homage to John Cage

by Gerald Locklin

Editor’s Note: Gerald Locklin’s poem is reprinted above as it appeared in the April 30, 1989, Book Review. John Cage is the composer of, among other works, 4’33,” which consists of a pianist sitting at his instrument in silence for four minutes and 33 seconds.