Deadline Poet / December 12, 2023

The Death of Henry Kissinger

Calvin Trillin
Secretary of State Henry Kissinger make a statement in the State Department briefing room after receiving the Nobel Peace prize.
Secretary of State Henry Kissinger make a statement in the State Department briefing room after receiving the Nobel Peace prize. (Wally McNamee / Corbis / Getty Images)

When somebody dies it is said
One shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.
To that I have tried to stay true.
It’s rarely been harder to do.

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Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

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