How great is this?
Under Milk Wood
I'm not sure how one judges the "greatness" of any single poem of (say) the last 100 years - confining oneself, that is to poems in recognisable English.
Under Milk Wood was certainly important in the history of conteporary English verse. It made a significant impact when it was first broadcast by the BBC, for many people for whom (e.g.) Pound and the Imagists and the Sitwells were pretty much of a closed book found that Thomas's verse, as read by Thomas himself over the radio was accessible in a way that many of them (brought up as they were on Palgrave's Golden Treasury ) could relate to. This applied not only to Under Milk Wood but also to Death Shall Have No Dominion and Do Not Go Gentle
Of course, the wartime social atmosphere had much to do with this reception (there was a revival of "classical" music - also helped by the BBC- at the same time) but the heightened awareness had much to do with the success of Eliot's Four Quartets (at least two of which had been around for some years) and an appreciation of a good many other poets (Barker, R.S.Thomas etc. etc.) who were all writing at around the same time.
I could go on, I suppose ..... but to what end ? Is "poetry" a competitve sport ? I don't think so - though it can't be denied that poets compete, with others, and quite often themselves, poor silly humans that we are.
About the only thing I can say to anyone who wants to get into the "grading" of poetry game is "Watch what you're comparing". Under Milk Wood is not The Whitsun Weddings, nor is it one of Porter's epigrams. The chances of category error are pretty high.
Under Milk Wood was certainly important in the history of conteporary English verse. It made a significant impact when it was first broadcast by the BBC, for many people for whom (e.g.) Pound and the Imagists and the Sitwells were pretty much of a closed book found that Thomas's verse, as read by Thomas himself over the radio was accessible in a way that many of them (brought up as they were on Palgrave's Golden Treasury ) could relate to. This applied not only to Under Milk Wood but also to Death Shall Have No Dominion and Do Not Go Gentle
Of course, the wartime social atmosphere had much to do with this reception (there was a revival of "classical" music - also helped by the BBC- at the same time) but the heightened awareness had much to do with the success of Eliot's Four Quartets (at least two of which had been around for some years) and an appreciation of a good many other poets (Barker, R.S.Thomas etc. etc.) who were all writing at around the same time.
I could go on, I suppose ..... but to what end ? Is "poetry" a competitve sport ? I don't think so - though it can't be denied that poets compete, with others, and quite often themselves, poor silly humans that we are.
About the only thing I can say to anyone who wants to get into the "grading" of poetry game is "Watch what you're comparing". Under Milk Wood is not The Whitsun Weddings, nor is it one of Porter's epigrams. The chances of category error are pretty high.
"There are nine and sixty ways
Of constructing tribal lays
And Every Single One Of Them Is Right"
Rudyard Kipling
Of constructing tribal lays
And Every Single One Of Them Is Right"
Rudyard Kipling
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camus
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Quite simply really - subjectively.I'm not sure how one judges the "greatness" of any single poem of (say) the last 100 years
I think it's great, just thought I'd let you know.
Whoaaa down there Sonny Jim, this ain't no competition...Under Milk Wood is not The Whitsun Weddings,
http://www.closetpoet.co.uk
Whoaaa down there Sonny Jim, this ain't no competition...
My point precisely !
Glad you think its great. Me too. I was lucky enogh to hear the first broadcast. TRIFFIK!!
My point precisely !
Glad you think its great. Me too. I was lucky enogh to hear the first broadcast. TRIFFIK!!
"There are nine and sixty ways
Of constructing tribal lays
And Every Single One Of Them Is Right"
Rudyard Kipling
Of constructing tribal lays
And Every Single One Of Them Is Right"
Rudyard Kipling
Apologies ! Didn't realise you were using the contemporary convention of a question mark instead of an exclamation mark. Silly of me not to have spotted it.
I guess you must have heard many of the other "poets reading aloud" that are now available on the net. Have to confess Tennyson is my favourite. Do you think listening to the likes of these people reading their own work helps a working poet such as (say) yourself ?
I guess you must have heard many of the other "poets reading aloud" that are now available on the net. Have to confess Tennyson is my favourite. Do you think listening to the likes of these people reading their own work helps a working poet such as (say) yourself ?
"There are nine and sixty ways
Of constructing tribal lays
And Every Single One Of Them Is Right"
Rudyard Kipling
Of constructing tribal lays
And Every Single One Of Them Is Right"
Rudyard Kipling
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brianedwards
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Isn't it Richard Burton?
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camus
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Alas, I've come to the conclusion nothing much can help a poet such as myself!Do you think listening to the likes of these people reading their own work helps a working poet such as (say) yourself ?
http://www.closetpoet.co.uk