14-17



The Wit

The wit knows he is not a winner.
   Not, at least, politically.
Nor the so-persuasive sinner
   he might like to be.

But he lobs a silky spark
   to brighten where we couldn't see
only to delight the dark
   temporarily.

by James B. Nicola

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James B. Nicola has had over 300 poems published in sundry periodicals (including this one, where he was nominated for a Pushcart Prize). A Yale grad and stage director by profession, his book Playing the Audience won a Choice Award. As a poet, he also won the Dana Literary Award and a People's Choice award (from Storyteller), was nominated for a Rhysling Award, and was featured poet at New Formalist. His children's musical Chimes: A Christmas Vaudeville premiered in Fairbanks, Alaska—with Santa Claus in attendance opening night.