On March 16th, 2008, Ian Robinson published an article in the Calgary Sun entitled Poet Proposal Lacks Rhyme or Reason, which argues that Calgary should spend tax dollars on practical improvements and maintenance of the city, rather than on a civic poet.
Robinson’s article gives me some degree of amusement, simply because he plays into (and plays up!) stereotypes of the Calgarian male: straight, virile, opinionated, proud, simple, and recalcitrant. I suspect he’s sipping a beer, pleased to know his work has irritated anyone left of far-right! However, he might need something stiffer. His article uncovers a personal desperation for a civic poet who will inspire his imagination.
Robinson makes his point clear. What is the practical purpose of spending tax dollars on a poet laureate? For Robinson, a civic poet would, at most, be the Calgary’s preeminent philanderer. This would severely wound the image of Calgary that Robinson works to uphold, and it would also decrease the stereotypical Calgarian’s chances of finding short-term sexual fulfillment. Yet, I digress . . .
On point: Robinson emphasizes that the Calgary administration should be focused on filling potholes and managing other immediate concerns; however, he ignores the central role that politicians have in creating, approving, and implementing plans for the long-term health of Calgary.
Politicians have a responsibility to guide and shape the mass culture of their cities, which includes the arts. Politicians were elected by the people and entrusted to invest in the health of the city now and in the future. Arts comprises one part of a healthy city. Calgary City Hall is acting in accordance with this idea and the poet laureate simply extends an already existent policy. Robinson’s ignorance about the validity of civic art does not make art invalid; it might, however, render his perspective invalid.
Robinson fritters away his article without explaining why a cultural investment would not positively affect the long-term health of the city. He instead wastes ink on short-term sexual gratification and potholes. By championing the pot-hole, Robinson parades his imaginative lack—he cannot conceive of investments beyond the immediate, the visible, and the tangible.
Robinson requires assistance from an individual who can ignite the columnist’s imagination and give him a wide view of the future and the potential of Calgary. He needs someone to assist him in understanding that stasis—whether individual or civic—is not health. He needs someone to share a drink with him, tell him stories he hasn’t heard before, and to kindly reveal the inevitable to him: the stereotypical Calgarian is in decline and must adapt or perish in the rapidly changing global economy. A civic poet is Robinson’s antidote to his small, short-term understanding of the city of Calgary.
Ironically, Robinson is unknowingly guilty of his own accusation. He does not know his place. Worse, he does not know what this place will become. All he can do is register the bumps along the way of a path he couldn’t imagine.
Support a poet laureate for Calgary. Contact your Alderman.
On a side note, Robinson also plays fast and loose with the Sun Online Poll, reporting that “95% of respondents [are] against spending a single taxpayer’s nickel on a city poet laureate.” This statistic tells the reader nothing of the number of people polled, their demographic, nor their location. Given Robinson’s concern for practical matters, his argument would better be served without rhetorical and creative embellishments, especially in the area of mathamatics. Because Robinson does not provide better information, I cannot accept the Calgary Sun poll as a reasonable assessment of Calgarians opinion on this matter.
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All the Sun is good for is catchy headlines. Boy I love their headlines. Good post, good argument and good thoughts. I recognize the fellow was trying to be funny—and he was—but to call poetry perversion shows a massive misunderstanding for the place of poetry and it’s continued subversive affect on our lives.
I couldn’t help but forward this post onto the Sun and Robinson himself… I hope they respond to it with the same good humour and wit that I attempt here! For the record, Joe Ceci is my Alderman, and I have written to him in support of this proposal.
Just a note, I was very impressed by the level of communication that Joe Ceci’s office had with me. They were polite, and actually responded to some of my comments and suggestions. Pretty impressive.
Well said! There is some talk in the Grande Prairie (where I live) literary community about whether or not we should lobby the city to establish a poet laureate in time for 2009 when the city becomes a much coveted “cultural capital”. I imagine there will be debate on all sides up here too. I wish more people would understand and celebrate the intrinsic value of culture to our society. I’m just back from coaching the Team Alberta North cultural contingent at the Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife. The fundamental role of “culture” in indigenous communities serves as a poignant reminder that culture and survival have been intertwined for as long as people have built communities. One could even argue that our modern world has lost sight of this critical relationship to an alarming degree.
Sounds like Grande Prairie could have a poet before Calgary! that would be a disappointment, from my perspective, but also a kick in the ass.
I love your point about indigenous communities and how culture becomes the artifact and memory of a people. If all we are is our functions, not our expressions, then what are we?
Yes it is important for the health of the city for us to progress culturally, but how about a cultural norm. Calgarians aren’t defined by their love of poetry. What we need is Monster Trucks and fast cars!!! Now there is something I could go for!
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the note. While I’m sure some Calgarians would enjoy another race track, the lack of success of places like Race City Speedway show that the stereotypes of Calgarians don’t always prove out.
I’m having trouble interpreting your comment–are you joking? Being rhetorical? Genuine?
It is true that few Calgarians are active in the poetry scene but I don’t think that it follows that Calgarians are against poetry. Perhaps more access to the arts is all people need.
Thoughts?
Leif