Category Archives: Poetry
To A Poet a Thousand Years Hence by James Elroy Flecker
Another poet grasping for immortality and advising other poets on same. Just like Shakespeare did centuries before with “Not Marble Nor the Gilded Monuments” (internal link) Well, this poem has lasted a hundred years. My writing won’t. Flecker wins! Maeonides, … Continue reading
Posted in art, Poetry, Uncategorized, Writing by others
Tagged elroy flecker, Poems, poets
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The Most Famous Chinese Poem
Introduction I read that this is the most famous Chinese Poem. Four lines. That’s it. That’s economy. I don’t know Chinese so I must rely on translations. Do any of these translations appeal to you more than another? I like … Continue reading
Posted in fiction, Poetry, Uncategorized
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A. E. Housman Noting the Difference
Everybody thinks they are smarter than they are. You, me, everybody. Everybody thinks they are smarter than they are. Politicians also think they are smarter than they are. The difference between us and them is that they constantly seek to … Continue reading
Posted in COVID-19, editing writing, fiction, non-fiction writing, Poetry, politically correct
Tagged Housman, Poetry, politics, the laws of god, the laws of man
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Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments by William Shakespeare
Took another look at Shakespeare’s sonnets. (internal link) Number 55 is very good, outlining the hope of all poets to live beyond the grave. Maxwell Nurnberg (A Gathering of Poems, Washington Square Press, 1969) says that the first two lines … Continue reading
Posted in editing writing, fiction, Poetry, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, video, Writing by others
Tagged david calder, Poetry, shakespeare, sonnets, YouTube
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The Master Singers of Japan by Clara Walsh
What is Japanese poetry translated into English? A true translation? Or an imitation? With Japanese poetry we need to convert words and structure. Or do we? If so, to what degree? Kenneth’s Rexroth’s translations of Chinese and Japanese poetry appeals … Continue reading
Posted in art, editing writing, fiction, Poetry, revising writing, Uncategorized, Writing by others, Writing tips
Tagged japan, Poetry, translations, verse
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The Passing Strange by John Masefield
This is a long one by Masefield, whom we last (internal ink) looked at in the very descriptive Night is on the Downland. The Passing Strange at first appears to be more “we are only dust in the wind” type stuff. … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized, Writing by others
Tagged masefield, passing strange, Poetry
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Sonnet 1: From Fairest Creatures we Desire Increase by Shakespeare
I can’t abide Shakespeare. His Olde English is too old and it gets in the way of his message and the rhythm of his lines. We expect good poetry to flow like water from a faucet, instead, Shakespeare too often … Continue reading
Gerad Manley Hopkins and the Beauty and Power of Descriptive Writing
Hopkins (internal link) was lucky to have falcons around. In my home town of Pahrump, Nevada, we do have something winged that looks like a little falcon. It may be a Cooper’s Hawk, however, and not a Peregrine Falcon. Whatever … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Stanton Delaplane, Uncategorized, video
Tagged gerad manly hopkins
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Climbing Milestone Mountain by Kenneth Rexroth
I know Rexroth (internal link) from his translations of Chinese and Japanese poetry. I have none of his books anymore because I always gave them away. Those collections are that beautiful. Here we have a personal poem with Rexroth in … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized
Tagged Kennet rexrothh, Orwell, Poetry, rexroth, Spanish civil war
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Spring Wind In London by Katherine Mansfield
New Zealand born Katherine Mansfield was as much a free spirit as the wind she describes in this poem. She mentions the wattle, a tree now grown in temperate climes around the world. The West or northern hemisphere knows it … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized, video
Tagged ghizlea rowe, Katherine Mansfield, Spring Wind In London
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