I make no pact with you, Ezra Pound –
you have bored me long enough.
I have learned your laws, your rhythms,
your common words, your language –
I leave it. It does not sing.
Give me no poems with footnotes –
No awkward words, no proper names
No Latin tongues, but poetry:
that ageless music, that, studying
You forgot.

“No Pact” was originally published in XS Magazine (now CityLink)
as part of an article by Kate Ravin on literary larceny.