BIRD THOU NEVER WERT

I must say it was a well-deserved match when Rik Thorensen compared Kerouac to Whitman in his literary defense of the beat poet (Letters, Jan 27). One would think Kerouac’s artistic value would be indisputable.

However, I’m sure Buddhist student Kerouac is in nirvanic Angst after being compared to “a trumpet solo by Charlie Parker.” (Bird played the sax.) Such a be-bop faux pas is bohemian blasphemy. That’s like saying: Miles sure can play vibes.

WADE McCLAVE, ATASCADERO