AN ODE TO JOHN-WARD LEIGHTON
Canadian Poet
The writer, John Leighton, is an Army friend of mine.
We served in the 60's on the NATO freedom line
Keeping the peace in 65; on civvie street he now survives.
Now it is a contention, he has to live on the Army Pension
Why do some artists receive publishing grants
whilst other just have holes in their pants?
Who decide who gets to be in the circle group?
The selection's really, "just a lotta bull poop"
John Ward Leighton is a dammed fine poet
but only a few old soldiers know it.
Why can't the art council take a look
and help him to publish just one book!
John can take his prose and go south of the Border
where Playboy'll publish his stuff in quick order.
They say most grant monies are sent to Quebec
And Toronto, get all of the rest - that's "suspect"
I read some grant poetry that was published down there
Tax money well wasted, sure it made me despair.
A great writer, John Leighton, of superior ilk
wears sally-ann cotton whilst others wear silk!