the river road

[rich p]

Sure, but calling it 'pretentious clatrap' etc. is more than expressing dislike, it is saying that that the poet doesn't know what he's doing. It's using your dislike to express prejudice about what you think poetry should be.

I'm sure he knows what he's doing, he's found a formula to which appeals to a certain sort of person. Good luck to him but the reason I dislike it is because it's pretentious. No prejudice, I simply don't like this sort of trite poetry.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I'm sure he knows what he's doing, he's found a formula to which appeals to a certain sort of person. Good luck to him but the reason I dislike it is because it's pretentious. No prejudice, I simply don't like this sort of trite poetry.

No prejudice, eh? So who is this 'certain sort of person'? And 'trite' as a criticism from someone who thinks poetry has to rhyme? Sorry, but that is a bit much.

 

[mickle]

Poetry never floated my boat I have to say. I don't get it because I don't get it not because I think it's pretentious twaddle. Visual arts are a different matter. Maybe it's just the way my brian works.

Pam Ayers though, or Spike Milligan. Now you're talking.

 

[rich p]

No prejudice, eh? So who is this 'certain sort of person'? And 'trite' as a criticism from someone who thinks poetry has to rhyme? Sorry, but that is a bit much.

I'm puzzled that because I don't like it you say I'm prejudiced. I didn't prejudge it, I judged it on merit. I had to, I'd never read it before!
Obviously, minority pursuits are liked by a 'certain sort of person' - the certain sort of person who0 likes this kind of poetry. Perhaps you should be less prickly and allow me to dislike the poem on merit just as I've said that you're free to like it on merit.
Do you think that your judgement is perhaps clouded because you know the poet?

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I'm puzzled that because I don't like it you say I'm prejudiced. I didn't prejudge it, I judged it on merit. I had to, I'd never read it before!
Obviously, minority pursuits are liked by a 'certain sort of person' - the certain sort of person who0 likes this kind of poetry. Perhaps you should be less prickly and allow me to dislike the poem on merit just as I've said that you're free to like it on merit.
Do you think that your judgement is perhaps clouded because you know the poet?

I did a class with him once, and I've bumped into him occasionally. He might be a complete bastard for all I know. What I do know, however, is that he is a really good poet, and an excellent teacher of poetry, who works very hard at what he does, and not at all deserving of being called pretentious or trite by someone who has already decided (i.e.: pre-judged) that all poetry has to rhyme.

Anyway, let's call this conversation to a close. I'll know better than to try to talk about poetry with you in future, unless you want to discuss the contention that 'poetry has to rhyme' first...

 

[Abitrary]

Anyway, let's call this conversation to a close. I'll know better than to try to talk about poetry with you in future, unless you want to discuss the contention that 'poetry has to rhyme' first...

I remember having to write an essay comparing keats 'ode to autumn' with another one, something about milkmaids lacing up their boots.

The object was to compare the two poems and the result was that keats was supposed to be best (I liked the bondage milkmaid / boots thing though).

'what is the point of all this?', thought I. But looking back at all this poetry is foremostly mental exercise. That's why yer public schoolboys are so good at learning... because they're forced this stuff down their throats since age 1 and able to think laterally.

 

[Abitrary]

The phrase 'Long time dead' is either plagarised from another poem or too familiar to scan properly in my head, hence it spoils the whole poem for me.

I briefly thought the same thing, but for me that line is akin to when homer simpson puts up a lost dog sign that reads

SEX

now I've got your attention....etc.

 

[Baggy]

I briefly thought the same thing, but for me that line is akin to when homer simpson puts up a lost dog sign that reads

SEX

now I've got your attention....etc.

Indeed, it says: "this poem is not really about going for a walk".

I like it.

The "Poems on the Underground" thing was great, and they did actually use at least one Spike Milligan poem.

 

[Crackle]

Nope can't get past it and he references it again later, so it just double jarrs.

If he'd just said, For though you've all been dead a while. I don't like that though, it's too direct. What about, For though your Light has now gone or For though you now walk the shadows

 

[Baggy]

Never mind that! You've just reached 4000 posts!

 

[longers]

Sorry Crackle, I haven't the right words to describe it but I prefer the rhythm of his line. It stops.

And then the next line takes off again.

 

[Crackle]

Never mind that! You've just reached 4000 posts!

Oooh, so I have. This will now spoil the symmetry.

Fair enough Longers. I like the construction of the poem, it's just that line I can't get past.

 

[Baggy]

Come for a walk down the river road,
For though you carked it long ago
The waters part to let us pass

Now that's more like it

 

[Abitrary]

Nope can't get past it and he references it again later, so it just double jarrs.

If he'd just said, For though you've all been dead a while. I don't like that though, it's too direct. What about, For though your Light has now gone or For though you now walk the shadows

So, eventually the person who didn't like it had the most to say about it.

That's poetry folks. A blank canvas.

 

[Fnaar]

There was a youmg poet called Dan
Whose poetry just didn't scan
When asked why 'twas so
He said "I don't know"
"But perhaps it's because I always try and fit as many words into the very last line as I possibly can"