The Civility of Cavett We Should Emulate

The Civility of Cavett We Should Emulate





A man for all seasons.

He had his own reasons

for speaking candidly,

while searching for truth

along with his choice of guests.

Whether John Lennon, or Billy Graham,

or Chief Dan George, 

Dick Cavett could discuss

ideas without bias,

and plead his own position without malice.




He asked many questions

that had no answers,

but he had no agenda,

except to help each guest shine.

He held high etiquette and civility

as his standard.




He strived to endow us 

with understanding of the world

from different points of view.




With a gentle voice,

this gentle teacher

appreciated humor as irony,

rather than something to broadcast

at someone else’s expense.




Shakespeare told us that

the quality of mercy is not strained.

Thank goodness Dick Cavett

had heeded Portia,

so he could host his show with care. 









Linda Imbler










Linda Imbler is the author of four poetry collections published at Amazon.  Soma Publishing published two of her poetry books and one poetry-short fiction hybrid.  She began writing in earnest five years ago.  In addition to putting pen and paper to inventive use, Linda is an avid reader. This writer, yoga practitioner, and classical guitar player lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Mike the Luthier, several quite intelligent saltwater