Mixed Fag

If poets all were beautiful inside

And out, we might expect all beauty in

Their lives and lines as white as first-time bride

Or Easter lily, but real poets sin

With booze and booty, Dylan Thomas with

His lips and wavy hair.  The notion that

Our lines should stick to beauty is a myth

With flimsy flaws and seems worth laughing at.

Some types of poem aim for beauty’s soul

And always sing with only seraph tones

Since loveliness is choiring odes’ one goal.

Such poetry sits high by Heaven’s thrones.

  But Brooke was far from perfect.  No.  Instead

    He took both boys and bimbos to his bed.

~ Phillip Whidden