a test for poetry

ZUKOFSKY LIB

“a satirical marching song
—Louis Zukofsky
“More Comparisons—
and Considerations”
A Test of Poetry 

“When de Lincum sojers come
De massa run, ha, ha!
De darkey stay, ho, ho!
It mus’ be now de kingdum comin’
An’ de yar ob jubilo!!!”
—H. C. Work
The Year of Jubilee
(Sung by the negro troops
as they entered Richmond)
1865
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When the Whitman poets come
De str8t masters run, ha, ha!

De poets got so lonesome libb’n
    In de ghettos of Academe
Dey moved dere tings into massa’s parlor
    While the Author Function be gone.
Dar’s words and poetry in the kitchen
    An’ de poets dey hab some,
I spec it will be all fiscated,
    When de Language sojers come
De massa run, ha, ha!
De Poets stay, ho, ho!
It mus’ be now de kingdum comin’,
An’ de yar ob jubilo.