June 27: Donald Hall, "We Bring Democracy to the Fish," Purpose

We Bring Democracy to the Fish

by:  Donald Hall

It is unacceptable that fish prey on each other. 
For their comfort and safety, we will liberate them
into fishfarms with secure, durable boundaries
that exclude predators.  Our care will provide
for their liberty, health, happiness, and nutrition.
Of course all creatures need to feel useful.
At maturity the fish will discover their purposes.

_____________________

Donald Hall--former Poet Laureate of the United States, octogenarian, National Medal of Arts recipient, lover, husband, father, grandfather--died Saturday, June 23, 2018.

It was Donald Hall's voice that announced my name as Poet Laureate of the Upper Peninsula.  As I've said before, I felt like Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments, hearing God's voice on the mountain.

Donald Hall believed in democracy.  Believed in the experiment of the United States of America.  He valued the world and nature and love and cigarettes.  Everything for Hall had beauty and purpose, even grief.

Saint Marty is still looking for his purpose.