Second Coming No. 80 — April 9, 2025
A poem-a-day protest against the threat posed to our democracy by the current occupant of the White House
Davidson Garrett
Clobbering Culture
Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.
—William Shakespeare
On many glorious occasions
I embarked on pilgrimages
to the iconic Kennedy Center
located in the heart of Washington
to hear the magnificent soprano
Leontyne Price in recital.
In the sold out Opera House
this legendary Diva of All Divas
(considered an American treasure)
poured forth creamy halcyon sounds
from well known classical composers
such as Strauss, Puccini & Verdi
mesmerizing rapt audiences
with a distinctive golden/bronze voice
sent to planet Earth by Almighty God.
At the end of these special concerts
I always dashed down the aisle
tossing red roses to Miss Price
begging for more encores—
aware I was in the presence
of Art Incarnate.
And now, a crass classless felon—
spoiled brat hatched in Queens
famous as a reality TV showman
begins to abruptly dismantle
a beloved cultural institution
appointing demonic nitwits
to its Board of Directors
governing this hallowed landmark
naming himself—Chairman.
Surely Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
must be spinning in her grave
at Arlington National Cemetery.
Davidson Garrett is the author of the poetry collections King Lear of the Taxi (Advent Purple Press, 2006) and Arias of a Rhapsodic Spirit (Kelsay Books, 2020) as well as of the chapbook Cabaletta (Finishing Line Press, 2022). A Manhattan-based actor and former New York City taxi driver, he trained for the theater at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and graduated from City College.
Indolent Books and editor Michael Broder are back with another poem-a-day series as a creative response to the threat posed to our democracy by the current occupant of the White House. The plan is to continue for all 1460 days of the 47th American presidency.
Find out how to submit poems or flash prose pieces to Second Coming.
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