Poetry, like music and food and 'art' does not resonate the same way with everyone. Some do not consider poetry to deserve the name unless it rhymes. e.e. cummings would disagree. Others think it should be 'pretty'...but.. I think some of Kipling's is moving and important while being stark and sad. It is amazing how it feels when turned into music by Peter Bellamy. Ford o' Kabul River And Soldier, Soldier is as moving a portrait of the results of war as I can imagine. There are 'pretty' poems, but I prefer paintings and photos for imagery. Diffrn't strokes for diffrn't blokes. Oh... here's my New Year's offering.. At the New Year In the shape of this night, in the still fall of snow, Father In all that is cold and tiny, these little birds and children In everything that moves tonight, the trolleys and the lovers, Father In the great hush of country, in the ugly noise of our cities In this deep throw of stars, in those trenches where the dead are, Father In all the wide land waiting, and in the liners out on the black water In all that has been said bravely, in all that is mean anywhere in the world, Father In all that is good and lovely, in every house where sham and hatred are In the name of those who wait, in the sound of angry voices, Father Before the bells ring, before this little point in time has rushed us on Before this clean moment has gone, before this night turns to face tomorrow, Father There is this high singing in the air Forever this sorrowful human face in eternity’s window And there are other bells that we would ring, Father Other bells that we would ring. Kenneth Patchen
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