Poetry needs censorship to thrive. In societies where poetry is
censored, people read it avidly; it becomes influential. Of course, one
of the changes it tries to bring about is its own de-censorship, and
when that's achieved, poetry loses its influence. It wanes to a minority
interest, derided by most of those who don't ignore it.
Censoring poetry is a foolish action for those who want to suppress its
influence. If you really want to render it ineffective, pour money into
subsidising magazines that would otherwise be unable to afford to
publish it, and organisations that do their utmost to promote it. Make
sure that anyone who can string two words together has the opportunity
to have their poetry published in some form or other.
Poetry grows best in the dark. If you want yours to be effective, go
somewhere it's forbidden, where if you're caught with it you might get
your hands broken, or be locked up and have to write on soap. Somewhere
you'll live in the shadows and might disappear. And be prepared to take
the risk.
That's the easy way. The hard way is to remain where poetry is
permitted. And try to make it have an effect.
--
Peter
http://www.hphoward.demon.co.uk/poetry/
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