Alternative Canon (poem) by Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM, CDOA on AuthorsDen

Alternative Canon
by Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM, CDOA → (All Poetry by Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM, CDOA)
Sunday, September 21, 2025 Rated "G" by the Author.

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We have gathered To build alternative canon Where the consumers of literature Will be the judges of worthy literature.
You built a castle Where you hold literature hostage. You call your castle Canon. Gatekeepers Guard your big iron gate, Brandishing Weapons of exclusion. Your accomplices, The moguls Who publish the words. The critics, Those self appointed Judges of worthy literature And the translators, All are on hand To give you helping hand In your unholy task of exclusion. We have gathered On this new square, Not to invade your castle, Not to beg to enter your castle. We have gathered To build alternative canon With no wall and no gate, With no gatekeepers. Alternative canon Where none will be denied entry. We have gathered To build alternative canon Where the consumers of literature Will be the judges of worthy literature.

Reviewed by La Belle Rouge Poetess Of The Heart

Reviewed on November 2, 2025

I am convinced that much true canon was left out by the Council Nicaea.The king and the church wanted subserviant subjects. Your poem is truly thought provoking.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on September 22, 2025

In a way I agree with you. There is too much elitism when it comes to determining what is good literature. On the other hand, one can ignore elitism and publish anyway with the options we have today to publish relatively inexpensively.

The downside is not having the support of the elite organizations when it comes to reviews and publicity.

However, often material that is considered not worthy becomes very popular in the end. The simple analogy: cream rises to the top, illustrates that often the best are not what originally was thought to be the best, but it eventually gets the recognition that it deserves.

Ron