Columnist Susan Snyder: Poet knows the prose and cons

Susan Snyder

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004 | 8:07 a.m.

No longer state poet, Norman Kaye didn't know it.

At least that's what he claimed, after the Nevada Arts Council aimed, to find his replacement. Kaye's heart has sunk to the basement.

The Las Vegas man, who is 82, swears up and down he wasn't given his due.

Neither the council's director nor the state's governor he served, called to explain his removal. Imagine the nerve!

Piffle, the state arts people will say. It simply did not happen that way. Kaye was notified in plenty of time that he no longer was Nevada's state man of rhyme.

Kaye recalls no discussion with an arts council member: He figures that's something he'd likely remember.

"Gov. Kenny Guinn hasn't called, and that's what makes me upset. I consider him a friend." Kaye's voice betrayed his regret.

For 38 years Kaye has held the state post. But it is for his song lyrics he's probably known most.

Kaye sang in lounges with the Mary Kaye Trio -- back in the '50s and '60s, long before Palms or Rio.

He wrote lyrics for songs sung by Mathis and Como. His title as state poet laureate received little promo.

And that, state arts council pundits declare, is simply not the way to run the affair.

According to the release sent out early this week, Nevada's state poet laureate is not a job for the meek.

The Silver State's poet must be willing to write, be willing to travel and talk to groups without fright.

The state poet must inspire residents to consider and think. (I won't even consider applying, for my rhyming doth stink.)

Kaye says he's willing to travel and to speak and to write. But in 38 years few thought to ask if he might.

"Nothing," he said of duties he was asked to perform. A few high school functions, ladies' meetings -- the norm.

If his tenure has failed, it's certainly not from abuse. Perhaps our poet became "emeritus" from the state's lack of use.

"I took the title wherever I went," Kaye said of the poet's tenure he spent.

He took it to London, and to Sydney down under. He took it across the U.S. with nary a blunder.

He even took it to the White House and touted Nevada to all, who showed up to celebrate President Ronald Reagan's inaugural ball.

But on Tuesday he waited for a gubernatorial nod. That Guinn had returned none of his phone calls seemed odd.

"I've called him four times," the man said as a fact. "He's the one who holds my title. And he hasn't called back."

After nominations close Nov. 30, a four-member panel will get down and dirty. The field of poets will be narrowed to three. Gov. Guinn chooses the final appointee.

Kaye said he doesn't mind being replaced. It's the method -- not the message -- that's made him feel aced.

"If it's good for the state, I don't mind stepping aside," Kaye said of his nearly 40-year ride. "Call me emeritus."

But call him today. You wouldn't want someone to treat you, that way.