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Bill Knott
Bill Knott Poems
Comments about Bill Knott
An Instructor's Dream
Many decades after graduation
the students sneak back onto
the school-grounds at night
and within the pane-lit windows
catch me their teacher at the desk
or blackboard cradling a chalk:
someone has erased their youth,
and as they crouch closer to see
more it grows darker and quieter
than they have known in their lives,
the lesson never learned surrounds
them; why have they come? Is
there any more to memorize now
at the end than there was then"
What is it they peer at through shades
of time to hear, X times X repeated,
my vain efforts to corner a ...
The Enemy
Like everyone I demand to be
Defended unto the death of
All who defend me, all the
World's people I command to
Roundabout me shield me, to
Fight off the enemy. The
Theory is if they all stand
Banded together and wall me
Safe, there's no one left to
I'm just learning of Bill Knott, and have enjoyed reading his works. Very interesting; his verses go deep. Deepest regrets in learning of his death.
**For Leona Person: Concerning the poem- 'Advice from the Experts' by Bill Knott. The experts were onlookers - those people who advised the poet not to jump in his attempt to commit ‘suicide.’ Thankfully, he took their advice and his life was spared.
I've long considered Bill Knott to be among the best poets of our time.
March 12th,2014 will be known as a sad day for American poetry.
What does advice from the experts mean
Congratulations on your books, Bill!