The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-12-30
The Poets I
Defender
ST Haskell, in Eloquent and Burn
Words, Defends the
Local Lyrists.

n OF so very long ago the SUBSIDIZED
automaton who occupies the editorial
sanctum of an er 9 W h / lie respect able
weekly had the assumption to say
through it's columns that he presumed
that the local crop of poets was either
dying out or else had gone into snug
quarters to hibernate for the ensuing
winter. In any event they were becom-
ing conspicuous by the lack of lyrical
lush that usually flowed in at his front
door and out at tie back.
Aye, and forever and aye! The spirit
of immortal verse arises from it's slum-
bering couch and waves the scepter of
scorn and contempt at this apostate,
this ouetime scribbler of senile drivel-
ings aud nonsensical roundelays, but
now clothed in the ermine robes of ed
itorial dignity.
Again, aye! The ranking, red rag OF
Anarchy Haunted in the bosom of hu-
man lii erty could not cause more Bit
ter wound than this perverted witticism
caused in the hearts of the locals bards.
Raw, rancorous and rabid is the venom
that drips from gossip's forked tongue
| to chafe the tender chords than bind the
poet TO his muse.
| Aye! Poets do not die! Their inn
j mortality 8 Oes on and on, forever.
Clothed in empyreal symphony, in some
celestial abode, they set to verse the
music of the twinkling stars, which
make divine melody with the golden
harps that echo down through all eter-
nifty.
/ Hill ornate? Poets? Nay! Earthly
discord breaks the harmonious lay of
the poets Lutte, and he seeks seclusion
to nurse the wound and lave with di-
viue inspiration the tender thrills of
sentiment. Or mayhap, the spirit Of
immortal song calls him hence and he
: wanders with whiterobed divinities in
realms of ether cal bliss, 6 Gathering anew
the joyous chords of an elysium to be
set to rbym to thrill the minds and
hearts Of lowly nan.
Lyrical lush! The murky streams of
! sodden humanity clotted with the mum
/ dane clay of mortality would besmirch
Q the gossamer of a fairy's wing, or en-
0 shroud with gloom the pellucid tones
Q of celestial choir. The muddled Vi
$ sion of pessimistic biped would make
v the tralis4 arency OF a summers day as
foreboding as an eternal ecllps e, OF make
r the crystal drops OF mountain stream
!. as unWhOlesome as the diitstained gut+
y ter ofa city's squalor.zs;. .sse. 4
# Poets break out! "StOne walls DO
l. not prison make, nor lronbars a cage,
q at least not for the poet. Far above the
j. surdid haunts of man the poets fancy
It wanders amid scenes of splendor, and
in quiet hooks and shady delis. Dream
e hands guide his footsteps and dream
q lips caress his brow; dream couches
10 and dream banquets are set for him
10 and dream Nectar of the Gods salutes
d his lips. While darkeyed houris carrol
= in perfect harmony, fairylike form
d clothed with celestial radiance waves
ss wand of enchantment and weave
g around him visions to be carved II
d verse and song on the hearts of his fel
loWmen.
Through the windows of his soul HI
~ sees humanity, an pities; he i0Oki
re again and his heart beats hlgn WIFI
deeds of heroism and valor; again h'
looks and the tender chords of love-
fondest dream warm his bosom ant
lend new light to his eye.
Anon, q grotesque satyr gambois {,
his side and whispers low, jest-a bi
r. of mirth tinged with wormwood; ant
~ low the poets fancy changing he look
ne in wondering contempt on the earthl.
n creature that walks ontWolegs Tor con
ne yedience' sake only. Then comes the dtl
y, of human strife; the discordant cry Q
Ie, pity: the walls of woe, and sin and mis-
of cry. The vision passes, and the poe
takes up the routine OF mundane drude
d cry, and the old world wags on agar
to with it's bitterness, itsdisappointmentl
he and occasionally, its bit Of sunshine.
to A Banquo's ghost stalks through thes
~ dreary halls. and sometime, when th
nd poets fancy is teing dragged forth fo
- l(onf f3,,,ied IN column this pdpe.)