80: Saving the Queen, 1976, by William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925–2008)
I didn’t share his politics—
His rhetoric, his clever tricks—
But all his books re: Blackford Oakes
I drank like yummy Diet Cokes.
He was so clever, Buckley was,
That I enjoyed these books because
Of cleverness, of thrilling style.
He beat some writers—by a mile.
And, tell the truth, I read them all—
Not just the Oakes’ ones—had a ball
Just arguing inside my head
With all the stuff that he had said.
I published in his magazine*—
Am on the cover! (Quite a scene!)
And met him once—a speech he gave.
And now, of course, he’s in his grave.
And discourse now (political)
Is vicious but (I think) so dull.
Civility lies underhill
And shares the grave with Buckley, Bill.
*"Are
We Ready for the College Students of 1984?" National Review
(November 28, 1979). 1206–08.
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