Never heard of Sam Garland - never on Reddit so maybe that's why. Loved the ones you shared. Now onto your questions. Favorite poem thus far: Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden. It speaks to grief so succinctly and powerfully that I am left weak-kneed and in tears every time I read it. Favorite Poet: Charles Bukowski. His poems are an acquired taste. The man gets out of bed, scratches himself, looks like he drank all night (which he probably did) then sits at his desk and writes a poem about loss and getting old that makes you lean against a wall and take deep breaths. Yeah, that's it for me.
Great taste. I really enjoy Bukowski too. Same effect. Hits me right in the feels. Funny story about Reddit. When I first got on Medium there was a share thread on Reddit to share posts. Then I started poking around more and ran across Sprog. Some of his stuff is really funny, but a bit colorful. lol
The first poem that comes to mind for me is "If" by Rudyard Kipling--who has unfortunately written some problematic (to say it nicely) things. I always enjoy Roald Dahl's poems that are usually presented as songs, particularly in James and the Giant Peach, or in his Revolting Rhymes. I like Bukowski's poems too. Warren Zevon is one of my favorites. I like the story of Sam Garland! Thank you for sharing that! What a nice thing to leave little poems around the internet for people to find. I think that's an appropriate way to deal with the absurdity of social media. Bill Waterson (of Calvin and Hobbes) writes the occasional illustrated poem as part of his strip. Those are good too!
I do like that poem. And he has said some real things. Dr. Seuss was not different. There was a lot of that back then. Apparently a lot of people compare Sprog's first book to Maurice Sendak. It's a little story (for kids and adults), whereas the second book is his poems. I'm not familiar with Zevon but I'll look him up. Always nice to stumble across a poet I'm not familiar with yet.
Warren Zevon is a kind of goofy singer/songwriter. Some of his stuff hasn't aged well. He wrote "Werewolves of London" which you've probably heard. Also, "Lawyers, Guns and Money" (which basically solves any problem when you think about it). He's got a song about how he was getting treatment to get over his heroin addiction in Mexico, it starts out "I hear mariachi static on my radio..." I always thought that was a nice line. The song is called Carmelita. I guess, Warren Zevon is the kind of artist who needs a bit of an introduction before you unleash him on an unsuspecting audience :)
Favorite poet? e.e. cummings, who wrote "i carry your heart, i carry it in my heart," one of the most beautiful poems about loving someone ever written.
My favorite poem is probably “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats. Phenomenal ending. I also love “La Belle Dame sans Merci: A Ballad” by John Keats. The line “and no birds sing” is miraculous in that it stops the poem in its tracks and its mechanics perfectly capture the mood he’s expressing.
Since I studied Persian history… RUMI or HAVIZ. There is nothing more romantic and mysterious than listening to or reading their prophetic words.
KEATS… when it's your final senior year and your English teacher's favourite poet and you're going to be examined on Keat's poetry. You learn to appreciate the old world charm and language of yesteryear.
I've not read a great deal of American literature or poetry… Australian's are more English and Asian influenced. However… I am rectifying that and have had some incredible recommendations… so far
E. E. CUMMINGS… I adore his words and the way he styled | laid them out on the page.
this next author (recommended)… SAMUEL DELANEY. I've only read his novel, Dhalgren… HFFMO… it's poetic prose at its finest!!
I'm going to be biased with this contemporary poet. I get to work with his poetry. Simply… it's time the entire world reads and recognises the gift his writing is-- ROMAN NEWELL
I read poetry daily. From budding poets to more seasoned authors. One's senses are piqued by each visually captivating word written. Poetry evokes emotion. Some days it brings smiles and other times, its words, I have tears falling. That's the reason poetry is special. Poetry touches my soul deeply.
Now… turn that prose and have it sing poetically… those are the writers and authors you digest daily.
Read more poetry (and prose) people will be richer for the experience.
* Thank you Linda for your own captivating words and thoughts expressed.
Never heard of Sam Garland - never on Reddit so maybe that's why. Loved the ones you shared. Now onto your questions. Favorite poem thus far: Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden. It speaks to grief so succinctly and powerfully that I am left weak-kneed and in tears every time I read it. Favorite Poet: Charles Bukowski. His poems are an acquired taste. The man gets out of bed, scratches himself, looks like he drank all night (which he probably did) then sits at his desk and writes a poem about loss and getting old that makes you lean against a wall and take deep breaths. Yeah, that's it for me.
Great taste. I really enjoy Bukowski too. Same effect. Hits me right in the feels. Funny story about Reddit. When I first got on Medium there was a share thread on Reddit to share posts. Then I started poking around more and ran across Sprog. Some of his stuff is really funny, but a bit colorful. lol
I agree with you on Funeral Blues by Aiden.
Auden is a great call!
The first poem that comes to mind for me is "If" by Rudyard Kipling--who has unfortunately written some problematic (to say it nicely) things. I always enjoy Roald Dahl's poems that are usually presented as songs, particularly in James and the Giant Peach, or in his Revolting Rhymes. I like Bukowski's poems too. Warren Zevon is one of my favorites. I like the story of Sam Garland! Thank you for sharing that! What a nice thing to leave little poems around the internet for people to find. I think that's an appropriate way to deal with the absurdity of social media. Bill Waterson (of Calvin and Hobbes) writes the occasional illustrated poem as part of his strip. Those are good too!
I do like that poem. And he has said some real things. Dr. Seuss was not different. There was a lot of that back then. Apparently a lot of people compare Sprog's first book to Maurice Sendak. It's a little story (for kids and adults), whereas the second book is his poems. I'm not familiar with Zevon but I'll look him up. Always nice to stumble across a poet I'm not familiar with yet.
Warren Zevon is a kind of goofy singer/songwriter. Some of his stuff hasn't aged well. He wrote "Werewolves of London" which you've probably heard. Also, "Lawyers, Guns and Money" (which basically solves any problem when you think about it). He's got a song about how he was getting treatment to get over his heroin addiction in Mexico, it starts out "I hear mariachi static on my radio..." I always thought that was a nice line. The song is called Carmelita. I guess, Warren Zevon is the kind of artist who needs a bit of an introduction before you unleash him on an unsuspecting audience :)
Favorite poet? e.e. cummings, who wrote "i carry your heart, i carry it in my heart," one of the most beautiful poems about loving someone ever written.
That's a beautiful one for sure David. I like the last verse best. It just sings to me. :)
Gotta go with Rumi — but I'm delighted to learn about Poems For Your Sprog!!
My favorite poem is probably “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats. Phenomenal ending. I also love “La Belle Dame sans Merci: A Ballad” by John Keats. The line “and no birds sing” is miraculous in that it stops the poem in its tracks and its mechanics perfectly capture the mood he’s expressing.
This was a fantastic article, and great to have met the sprog poet. I will have to explore the work further.
Since I studied Persian history… RUMI or HAVIZ. There is nothing more romantic and mysterious than listening to or reading their prophetic words.
KEATS… when it's your final senior year and your English teacher's favourite poet and you're going to be examined on Keat's poetry. You learn to appreciate the old world charm and language of yesteryear.
I've not read a great deal of American literature or poetry… Australian's are more English and Asian influenced. However… I am rectifying that and have had some incredible recommendations… so far
E. E. CUMMINGS… I adore his words and the way he styled | laid them out on the page.
this next author (recommended)… SAMUEL DELANEY. I've only read his novel, Dhalgren… HFFMO… it's poetic prose at its finest!!
I'm going to be biased with this contemporary poet. I get to work with his poetry. Simply… it's time the entire world reads and recognises the gift his writing is-- ROMAN NEWELL
I read poetry daily. From budding poets to more seasoned authors. One's senses are piqued by each visually captivating word written. Poetry evokes emotion. Some days it brings smiles and other times, its words, I have tears falling. That's the reason poetry is special. Poetry touches my soul deeply.
Now… turn that prose and have it sing poetically… those are the writers and authors you digest daily.
Read more poetry (and prose) people will be richer for the experience.
* Thank you Linda for your own captivating words and thoughts expressed.